Multi-configuration upgradable fitness device

Abstract

The present invention is new in the art as a multi-configuration upgradable fitness device, which can be configured with none, one or more handle(s) attached around a 0-degree to 360-degree rotational position about a central axis as a best mode and configured for operation into (5) fitness devices not limited to; 1) an exercise ball (no handles), 2) kettle bell (1 handle), 3) medicine ball (2 handles opposite), 4) kettle bell-2 (2 handles near each other) and 5) dumbbell (1 handle to a side), and can be upgraded from 2.5 pounds of weights to 10 pounds and up to 50 pounds in increments of 2.5 pounds from (1) to (20) weights to enable 100 or more configurations of fitness equipment as a best mode that enables over one-hundred fitness exercises with this single device as detailed in the entire disclosure.

Claims

1. An exercise device comprising: two end caps; an upgradable alignment shaft; an expansion alignment shaft; a plurality of weight discs; a plurality of weight handle discs; and a plurality of straps; wherein the plurality of weight discs and the plurality of weight handle discs are connected to a center of the upgradable alignment shaft, where the upgradable alignment shaft is further connected to one of the two end caps at one end and another of the two end caps at a second end, and wherein the plurality of straps are configured to connect a top and bottom of the two end caps together.

2. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein: said upgradable alignment shaft is configured to be an octagon shape.

3. The exercise device of claim 2, wherein: said plurality of weight discs are configured to have a central hole at a center.

4. The exercise device of claim 2, wherein: said plurality of weight handle discs are configured to have a central hole at a center.

5. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein: said upgradable alignment shaft is configured to be a circular tube shape.

6. The exercise device of claim 5, wherein: said plurality of weight handle discs are configured to have a central hole at a center.

7. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein: the two end caps have an outside and an inside; a support structure formed on the inside of the two end caps, and a fastener hole formed on the support structure, where the upgradable alignment shaft is configured to securely fit inside of the support structure of the two end caps; wherein the plurality of weight discs and the plurality of weight handle discs have a central hole, configured to allow the plurality of weight discs and the plurality of weight handle discs to be stacked upon the upgradable alignment shaft such that the upgradable alignment shaft fits through the central holes of the plurality of weight discs and plurality of weight handle discs; wherein the plurality of straps are configured to fasten the two end caps together at the bottom of the two end caps to provide a hinge and at the top of the two end caps.

8. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein: said two end caps have a contour on an outside and open surface on an inside, where a central hole and a support structure are formed on the inside of the two end caps.

9. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein: said two end caps have a contour on an outside and open surface on an inside, a central hole and a support structure formed on the inside of the two end caps, and a flat bottom forming a standing platform on the bottom of the two end caps.

10. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein: said plurality of weight discs and/or plurality of weight handle discs have an attraction coating that is composed of an adhesive or magnetic substance.

11. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein: said plurality of weight handle discs comprise a handle attached to a weight; and when in use, one of the plurality of weight handle discs is connected to the upgradable alignment shaft such that the handle is arranged near the top of the two end caps creating a kettlebell configuration.

12. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein: said plurality of weight handle discs comprise a handle attached to a weight; and when in use, one of the plurality of weight handle discs is connected to the upgradable alignment shaft such that the handle is arranged near a side of the two end caps creating a dumbbell configuration.

13. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein: said plurality of weight handle discs comprise a handle attached to a weight; and when in use, a pair of the plurality of weight handle discs are arranged opposite each other on the upgradable alignment shaft creating a 2-handle kettlebell configuration.

14. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein: said plurality of weight handle discs comprise a handle attached to a weight; and when in use, a pair of the plurality of weight handle discs are arranged opposite each other on the upgradable alignment shaft creating a medicine ball configuration.

15. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein: when in use, the exercise device has at least one of the plurality of weight discs connected to the upgradable alignment shaft to create an exercise ball configuration.

16. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein: said plurality of straps comprise an elastic material so that when connected to the two end caps at the bottom the plurality of straps enable an expandable hinge system connection and provide a clam-shell open/close format.

17. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein: said plurality of straps comprise an elastic material that is connected to the top of the two end caps by a fastener to enable a connection system.

18. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein: one of said plurality of weight handle discs comprises a kettlebell handle with a pair of handles, where the pair of handles are attached to a weight and arranged near each other; and when in use, the kettlebell handle is connected to the upgradable alignment shaft creating a kettlebell configuration.

19. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein: one of said plurality of weight handle discs comprises a medicine ball handle, where a pair of handles are attached to a weight and arranged opposite each other; and when in use, the medicine ball handle is connected to the upgradable alignment shaft creating a medicine ball configuration.

20. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein: said upgradable alignment shaft configured to connect with the expansion alignment shaft to accommodate the plurality of upgrade weight discs.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The forgoing and other features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only several embodiments in accordance with the invention and are therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described with additional detail through use of the accompanying drawings.

(2) In the drawings:

(3) Reference is made to the following details:

(4) 101—Exercise ball configuration (no handles) 102—Kettle Bell configuration (1 handle) 103—Medicine Ball configuration (2 handles opposite) 104—Kettle Bell-2 configurations (2 handles near each other) 105—Dumbbell configuration (1 handle to the side) 106—Weighted handle/disc 107—Aligment Shaft 108—End Cap 109—Weighted disc (2.5 Lb) 110—Circular hole at center for circular alignment shaft in weighted disc (2.5 Lb) 111—Octagon 8-sided hole at center for octagon alignment shaft in weighted handle/disc (2.5 Lb) 112—Alignment Shaft support 113—Weighted upgrade disc (5 Lb) 114—Circular hole at center for circular alignment shaft in weighted upgrade disc (5 Lb) 115—Flat bottom of end cap 116—Weight calibration of 10 lbs per inch width of weighted disc(s) between end caps 117—Male snap in Connector System 118—Female snap in Connector System 119—Grab loop in Connector System 120—Stretch band in Connector System 121—Male snap in Hinge System 122—Female snap in Hinge System 123—Stretch band in Hinge System 124—Fastener hole in Connector System 125—Cover plate for end cap 126—Octagon 8-sided hole in cover plate for alignment shaft 127—Fastener hole in alignment shaft 128—(4) Fastener holes in cover plate 129—Fastener hole in alignment shaft support 130—Connector System attraction coating of adhesive/magnetic substance 131—(4) Fastener holes in end cap support structure to attach cover plate 132—Octagon 8-sided hole for octagon alignment shaft in Kettle Bell-2 (2-handles on 1-disc) 133—Holes in end, cap exterior curved surface 134—Octagon 8-sided hole for octagon alignment shaft in Medicine Ball (2-handles on 1-disc) 135—Expansion sleeve for alignment shaft 136—Expansion alignment shaft 137—Keyway in expansion sleeve 138—Connector pin in alignment shaft 139—Inner support ring for cover plate 140—Fastener for stretch band of Connector System at top of end cap 141—Fastener for stretch band of Hinge System at bottom of end cap 142—Feet of cradle 143—Vertical support post of cradle 144—Horizontal support bar of cradle 145—Cross member of cradle 146 . . . Handle of cradle 147—Visual weight calibration in 10 pounds per inch (0-12 inches) along the horizontal support 148—Top stacking position of the cradle(s)

(5) FIG. 1 is a front view of (5) configurations as an; 1) exercise ball (no handles), 2) kettle bell (1 handle at top), 3) medicine ball (2 handles opposite), 4) kettle bell-2™ (2 handles near each other) and 5) dumb bell (1 handle at side).

(6) FIG. 2 is a front and side view example of an assembled kettle bell with handle at top.

(7) FIG. 3 is a front view of handle(s) rotating about an axis of an exercise ball from 0 degrees to 360 degrees in 8 increments at 45, 90, 135, 180, 225, 270, 315, 360 degrees.

(8) FIG. 4 is an expanded view of the (4) primary components (connector system, end caps, handles and weighted discs) of the invention.

(9) FIG. 5 is a front and side view of the weighted handle.

(10) FIG. 6 is a front and side view of the weighted disc(s) and upgrade weighted disc(s).

(11) FIG. 7 is a front and side view of a 2-handle kettle bell-2 configuration with 1-disc.

(12) FIG. 8 is a front and side view of a 2-handle medicine ball configuration with 1-disc.

(13) FIG. 9 is a front, top, bottom and side view of the end caps and connection system

(14) FIG. 10 is a front and side view of the alignment shaft in end caps

(15) FIG. 11 is an expanded view of the alignment shaft, expansion shaft and end caps

(16) FIG. 12 is a front and side view of the cover plate in the end cap

(17) FIG. 13 is a front and side view of the multiple upgradable configurations demonstrated as a 20 lb kettle bell and 30 lb kettle bell-2™.

(18) FIG. 14 is a front and side view of the stackable cradle that can carry 100 lbs (more or less) of weighted discs, upgrade weighted discs and handles that can be used as a device configuration and assembly platform with a weight calibration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(19) In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description and drawings are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments can be used, and other changes can be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the Figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated and made part of this disclosure.

(20) Methods, systems, devices, and/or apparatus related to athletic training and/or exercise equipment are described. Some example embodiments according to the present disclosure can pertain to multiple configurations exercise device, such as multi-purpose exercise balls. The present disclosure includes, among other things, exercise devices which can be configured with none, 1 or more detachable handle(s) in a configuration including, but not limited to an 1) exercise ball (no handles), 2) kettle bell (i handle), 3) medicine ball (2 handles opposite), 4) kettle bell-2™ (2 handles near each other) and 5) dumbbell (1 handle at the side) or any combination thereof. Some example embodiments according to the present disclosure can include, among other things, exercise devices with an upgradable weight system of weighted discs of standard and/or upgrade weighted discs that can be self attaching to each disc, weighted and/or un-weighted handles that can be positioned around an axis of the device from 0 degrees to 360 degrees of rotation that can be self attaching to the weighted discs(s), end caps that can be made of rubber-like material or other material that provides a ball like appearance and/or texture for handling of the invention and connection system that can attach around and/or through the alignment shaft of the invention to provide a form of secure connectedness.

(21) The present disclosure recognizes in health and fitness and the home gym environment, storage space for exercise and fitness equipment can be limited. This can limit or prevent the purchase of some exercise equipment, such as numerous exercise balls, medicine balls and kettle bells for the home gym, and is a primary reason why some users prefer the commercial fitness clubs to utilize the variety of this type of exercise equipment within those facilities. Some example multi-configuration upgradable fitness device can save considerable space and reduce the requirement for space by combining the space needed for numerous and varying weights of exercise balls, medicine balls and/or kettle bells into the present invention space saving footprint.

(22) FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the disclosure that can include but not limited to the configurations front view of a generally spherical shape that can be a 16.6 cm (6.5 inch) diameter r larger/smaller diameter that can have a flat bottom. 115 as an example exercise ball. 101 (no handles), kettle bell 102 (1 handle 106 at top), medicine bell 103 (2 handles 106 at opposite ends), kettle bell-2 104 (2-handles 106 near each other) and dumbbell 105 (1 handle 106 at side) with holes 133 on the surface. In some example embodiments, handles 106 of quantity (none, 1 or more) can be attached to the spherical shape as an example medicine ball 103 (2 handles), kettle bell 102 (1 handle), kettle bell-2 104 (2 handles near each other) and dumbbell 105 (1 handle at side). Some example configurations of the embodiment is constructed of hard rubber as a best mode compared to other materials as an alternative it could be constructed of plastic, metal, fiberglass, combined plastic-n-rubber or other material.

(23) FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the disclosure that can include but not limited to the configuration as a kettle bell 102 with (1 or more) handle(s) 106 at the top position that can be attached from 0 degrees to 360 degrees about an axis of the device that can include an upgradable weight system with weighted discs(s) 109 that can weigh 2.5 lbs each and accumulate at 2.5 pound increments and have an end cap(s) 108 of circular shape with a flat bottom 115 to provide a platform for standing the device upright connected together with a connection system that facilitates a variable width of the device to provide for upgradable weights.

(24) FIG. 3 illustrates the circular 0 degree to 360 degree handle 106 attachment capability about an axis of the device as a best mode demonstrated as an exercise ball 101.

(25) FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the disclosure that can include but not limited to greater detail of the expanded view of the components of the disclosed invention that can include an 8-sided octagon shaped alignment shaft 107 as a best mode to be attached at support structure 112 through fastener hole 127 to the fastener hole 129 in the left end cap 108 and alignment shaft 107 slides through an octagon 8-sided hole 111 of the weighted handle(s) 106, through a circular hole 110 of the weighted disc(s) 109 and slide through the support structure 112 of the right end cap 108 and the device connected together by a connection system that can consist of stretch band(s) 120 with a female snap 118 with a grab loop 119 attached to the left end cap 108 though a fastener hole 124 and stretched across a variable number of weighted disc(s) 109 and handle(s) 106 to attach to the right end cap 108 at the male snap 117 to form a secure connection, combined with the connection system attraction coating 130 that can be made of adhesive/magnetic substance on one side of the disc(s) 109 the handle(s) 106 and cover plate 125 to the left end cap 108 that can be connected to the right end cap 108 by the stretch band(s) 123 of the hinge system using the female snap 122 to connect to the male snap 121 of the right end cap 108 to form a secure hinged system connection while the device is open/closed like a clam-shell where each end cap 108 has a weight calibration 116 where one inch equals 10 pounds of weighted disc(s) and handle(s) between the end caps and flat bottom 115 of the end caps 108 to provide an upright standing position.

(26) FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of the disclosure that can include but not limited to the front and side view of the handle 106 that can have an attached disc 109 as a single unit that can have an attraction coating 130 that can be a single or combined element of magnetic and/or plastic and/or rubber and/or grippy material as part of the connection system with an 8-sided octagon shaped hole at center 111 is a best mode to position the handle 106 at eight positions of 45, 90, 135, 180, 225, 270, 315 and 360 degrees thought the 8-sided octagon shaped alignment shaft 107 in FIG. 4 would slide through to form part of the connection system and rubber-like material for gripping around the top and side portion of the handle 106 to support a variety of exercises.

(27) FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of the disclosure that can include but not limited to the front and side view of the weighted disc(s) 109 of 2.5 lbs. that can have a attraction coating 130 that can be a single or combined element of magnetism and/or plastic and/or rubber and/or grippy material as part of the connection system and circular hole 110 that is large enough to fit through the octagon 8-side alignment shaft 107 in FIG. 4, that can be at center of the disc 109 for the alignment shaft 107 in FIG. 4 to attach through to form part of the connection system, and upgrade weighted disc(s) 113 of 5.0 lbs. that can have an attraction coating 130 from FIG. 4 similar to disc(s) 109 and circular hole 114 that can be at center for the alignment shaft 107 in FIG. 4 to slide through to form part of the connection system to securely support a variety of exercises.

(28) FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of the disclosure that can include but not limited to the front and side views of the Kettle Bell-2 configuration 104 in FIG. 1 with two handles 106 near each other and one disc 109 attached as a single unit that can have an attraction coating 130 that can be a single or combined element of magnetic and/or plastic and/or rubber and/or grippy material as part of the connection system with an 8-sided octagon shaped hole 132 at center where the 8-sided octagon shaped alignment shaft 107 in FIG. 4 would slide through to form part of the connection system to support a variety of exercises.

(29) FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of the disclosure that can include but not limited to the front and top views of the Medicine Ball Configuration 103 in FIG. 1 with two handles 106 opposite each other and one disc 109 attached as a single unit that can have an attraction coating 130 that can be a single or combined element of magnetism and/or plastic and/or rubber and/or grippy material as part of the connection system with an 8-sided octagon shaped hole 134 at center where the 8-sided octagon shaped alignment shaft 107 in FIG. 4 would slide through to form part of the connection system to support a variety of exercises.

(30) FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of the disclosure that can include but not limited to the front, top, bottom and side views of the connection system with left end cap 108 and fastener holes 124 that attach stretch band(s) 120 with fastener 140 that has a female snap 118 that connects to male snap 117 in right end cap 108 to provide a secure flexible connection at the top, with hinge system stretch band(s) 123 that attaches with fastener 141 at the bottom of left end cap 108 that has a female snap 122 that connects to male snap 121 in right end cap 108 to form a secure flexible hinge system connection when the device is opened like a clam-shell, and provides connected expansion and/or contraction depending on the variable thickness of attached weighted disc(s) 109 in FIG. 6 and/or handle(s) 106 in FIG. 5 to support a variety of exercises.

(31) FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of the disclosure that can include but not limited to the front and side view of the connection system using the 8-sided octagon shaped alignment shaft 107 that connects through fastener hole 127 to the alignment support 112 though fastener hole 129 in the left end cap 108 where the alignment shaft 107 slides in and/or out of alignment support 112 in the right end cap 108 to provide a flexible connection with variable thickness based on number of attached weighted disc(s) 109 in FIG. 6 and/or handle(s) 106 in FIG. 5 where each end cap 108 has a weight calibration 116 of one inch equals 10 pounds of weigh depending on thickness of attached disc(s) and handle(s), and a flat bottom 115 to provide a stand-up position to support a variety of exercises.

(32) FIG. 11 illustrates an embodiment of the disclosure that can include but not limited to the front view of the connection system upgradable expansion alignment shaft 136 with an upgradable expansion sleeve that fits inside the expansion alignment shaft 136 and inside the alignment shaft 107 and connects through keyway 137 to the connector pin 138 that is connected through fastener hole 127 to fastener hole 129 in the support structure 112 of the left end cap 108 with flat bottom 115, where the expansion alignment shaft 136 sides in and/or out of the support structure 112 of the right end cap 108 with flat bottom 115, to form a flexible connection depending on the thickness of attached weighted disc(s) 109 in FIG. 6 and/or weighted upgrade discs 113 in FIG. 6 and/or handle(s) 106 in FIG. 5 to provide a secure connection for additional weights to support a wider variety of exercises.

(33) FIG. 12 illustrates an embodiment of the disclosure that can include but not limited to the front and side view of the connection system cover plate 125 attached by (4) fastener holes 128 to (4) fastener holes 131 in the support structure 112 and around the inner support ring 139 of the end cap 108 with flat bottom 115, that can have an attraction coating 130 that can be a single or combined element of magnetic and/or plastic and/or rubber and/or grippy material as part of the connection system to support a variety of exercises.

(34) FIG. 13 illustrates an embodiment of the disclosure that can include but not limited to the front and side views of the assembled invention as a kettle bell 102 with a weighted handle 106 of (2.5 lbs.), a weighted disc 109 of (2.5 lbs.), (4) upgrade weighted discs 113 of (5 lbs. each) totaling 20 lbs and 2.0 inch width between the end caps 108 to form a Kettle Bell configuration 102 capable of standing upright by way of the flat bottom 115 on the end caps 108. The second assembled device configuration is a Kettle Bell-2 104 with (2) weighted handles 106 of (2.5 lbs. each), (2) weighted discs 109 (2.5 lbs. each), (4) upgrade weighted discs 113 (5 lbs. each) totaling 30 lbs and 3.0 inch width (1 inch equals 1.0 pounds) between the end caps 108 to form an assembled Kettle Bell-2 configuration 104 capable of standing upright by way of the flat bottoms 115 on the end caps 108.

(35) FIG. 14 illustrates an embodiment of the disclosure that can include but not limited to the front and side views of the Cradle for storage and assembly of the device components with (4) feet 142 attached to the vertical supports 143 and horizontal supports 144 and 145 that provide a platform to horizontally stack up-right the standard weighted disc(s) 109, upgrade weighted disc(s) 11.3, weighted handle(s) 106 that can be utilized as an assembly platform to configure and connect the (5) configurations shown in FIG. 1. and a weight calibration 147 in 10 pounds per inch (0-12 inches) along the horizontal support 144 to visually determine the amount of weight in the device configuration or storage, that also provides a means of transport with the cross bar handle 146 to move the cradle and stack cradles vertically on top of each other by way of the (4) feet 142 stacking on top of the (4) vertical supports 143 at position 148.

VARIATIONS

(36) It is understood that variations can be made in the foregoing without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the shape of discs could be not round or different weights and the handles could be different shapes and connection could be different size and shape.