Dumbbell saddle

Abstract

An easy-to-manufacture protective saddle for a dumbbell, comprising a generally U-shaped member, including a curved element having a top surface, a base portion, and an inner end; and a generally vertical element having an upper end and an interior end attached to said inner end of the U-shaped member; wherein a non-marring surface for providing contact with a dumbbell to be placed on the saddle is located on said U-shaped member. The saddle has a plurality of means for attachment of the saddle to a frame located in said base portion. The surface is placed onto the U-Shaped member.

1 . An easy-to-manufacture protective saddle for a dumbbell, comprising: 
 a generally U-shaped member, including:    a curved element having a top surface, a base portion, and an inner end; and    a generally vertical element having an upper end and an interior end attached to said inner end of the U-shaped member;    wherein a non-marring surface for providing contact with a dumbbell to be placed on the saddle is located on said U-shaped member.    
   
   
       2 . The saddle of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of means for attachment of the saddle to a frame located in said base portion.  
   
   
       3 . The saddle of  claim 1 , wherein the non-marring surface is unitary in construction.  
   
   
       4 . The saddle of  claim 3 , wherein the surface is injection molded onto the U-Shaped member.  
   
   
       5 . The saddle of  claim 3 , wherein the surface is sprayed upon the U-shaped member.  
   
   
       6 . The saddle of  claim 2 , wherein the means for attachment include an elongated attachment member located in a complementary void in said base portion.  
   
   
       7 . The saddle of  claim 2 , wherein each attachment member is adapted for use in a complementary cavity in said frame.  
   
   
       8 . The saddle of  claim 6 , wherein the means for attachment are securely connected to the base portion.  
   
   
       9 . The saddle of  claim 1 , wherein the vertical member further comprises a divot for accommodating a handle on said dumbbell.  
   
   
       10 . The saddle of  claim 1 , wherein the surface includes polyurethane.  
   
   
       11 . A method for forming a saddle for a dumbbell, comprising the steps of: 
 forming a core having a generally U-shaped member, having:    a curved element having a top surface, a base portion, and an inner end; and    a generally vertical element having an upper end and an interior end attached to said inner end of the U-shaped member; and    a plurality of voids located through the base portion;    placing means for attachment through the voids whereby means for attachment extend below the base;    forming a non-marring surface for providing contact with a dumbbell to be placed on the saddle located at least on a top portion of the U-shaped member and on the interior end of the vertical element.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the step of forming comprises the steps of: 
 placing the core at least partially within a mold; and    placing a substance which forms a non-marring surface into the mold and around the core, whereby at least a portion of the means for attachment is not covered in the substance.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the means for attachment are securely connected to the base portion before the core is placed in a mold.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the means for attachment comprise a threaded bolt.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the substance is a rubber that adheres to the core.  
   
   
       16 . An easy-to-manufacture frame for a plurality of dumbbells, comprising: 
 a plurality of pairs of saddles oriented to accommodate each weight on a dumbbell, each saddle comprising:    a generally U-shaped member, including:    a curved element having a top surface, a base portion, and an inner end; and    a vertical element having an upper end and an interior end attached to said inner end of the U-shaped member;    wherein a non-marring surface for providing contact with a dumbbell to be placed on the saddle is located on said U-shaped member.    
   
   
       17 . The frame of  claim 16 , further comprising a plurality of means for attachment of the saddle to a frame located in said base portion.  
   
   
       18 . The frame of  claim 16 , wherein said frame comprises complementary holes for the means for attachment.