Freestanding Selectable Free Weight Assembly

Abstract

An adjustable weight set apparatus includes a handle having a first end portion and a second end portion opposite the first end portion. A first weight set is adapted to be supported on the first end portion of the handle and a second weight set is adapted to be supported on the second end portion of the handle. Each of the first and second weight sets includes a plurality of weight plates. An adjustment assembly is mounted on the handle and includes a single selector element and a pair of selectors positioned for engaging and retaining the weight plates to the handle. The selectors are operatively connected to the selector element such that movement of the single selector element causes movement of both selectors for engaging and retaining the weight plates of the first and second weight sets to the handle.

1 . An adjustable weight set apparatus comprising:
 a handle having a first end and portion a second end portion opposite the first end portion;   a first weight set adapted to be supported on the first end portion of the handle and a second weight set adapted to be supported on the second end portion of the handle, each of the first and second weight sets comprising a plurality of weight plates; and   an adjustment assembly mounted on the handle, the adjustment assembly comprising a single selector element and a pair of selectors positioned for engaging and retaining the weight plates to the handle, the selectors being operatively connected to the selector element such that movement of the single selector element causes movement of both selectors for engaging and retaining the weight plates of the first and second weight sets to the handle.   
     
     
         2 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the selector is mounted for rotational movement and the selectors are configured for longitudinal movement, the adjustment assembly further comprising a gear assembly for transferring the rotational movement of the selector element to the longitudinal movement of the selectors. 
     
     
         3 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 2  wherein the gear assembly comprises a ring gear fixed to the selector element such that the ring gear rotates conjointly with the selector element, a mating gear meshed with the ring gear and a threaded shaft housed in the handle and fixedly attached to the mating gear such that rotation of the selector element causes rotation of the threaded shaft, the selectors operatively connected to threads of the threaded shaft so that the rotation of the threaded shaft causes the selectors to move along the threads of threaded shaft for engaging and retaining the weight plates on the handle. 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 3  wherein each selector comprises an arcuate channel in the selector and a follower projecting into the arcuate channel, the follower being seated in the threads of the threaded shaft and the arcuate channel being sized and shaped to receive the threaded shaft for allowing the selector to move along the threaded shaft as the threaded shaft rotates. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 4  wherein the threaded shaft comprises a first half having left-handed threads and a second half having right-handed threads, a first selector being connected to the first half of the threaded shaft and a second selector being connected to the second half of the threaded shaft such that movement of the selector element in a first direction cause the selectors to move away from each other and movement of the selector element in a second direction causes the selectors to move toward each other. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 3  wherein the threaded shaft is seated in a channel defined in an inner surface of the handle. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising a center of mass disposed substantially at a midpoint of the apparatus, the midpoint being disposed along a longitudinal axis of the handle. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising an adjustable retainer, the retainer configured to receive and hold the handle, weight sets and adjustment assembly, the retainer comprising a pair of end plates configured to receive the selectors for allowing the selectors to retain the retainer on the handle. 
     
     
         9 . An adjustable weight set apparatus comprising:
 a handle having a first end portion, a second end portion and a longitudinal axis;   an adjustment assembly mounted on the handle and comprising at least one moveable selector; and   weight plates adapted to be retained on the handle by the selector, the selector adapted to extend through holes in the weight plates to retain the weight plates to the handle, the selector conforming to a shape of the holes over at least a top half of the selector to prevent relative movement of the selector and weight plates transverse to the longitudinal axis of the handle.   
     
     
         10 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 9  wherein the selector comprises a rounded shaft, the selector shaft conforming to the holes over at least the top half of the selector shaft. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 10  wherein the at least one selector comprises a first selector, the adjustment assembly further comprising a second selector, the weight plates comprising a set of first weight plates adapted to be mounted on the first end portion of the handle and a set of second weight plates adapted to be mounted on the second end portion of the handle, the second selector conforming to a shape of holes in the second weight plates over at least a top half of the second selector to prevent relative movement of the second selector and second weight plates transverse to the longitudinal axis of the handle. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 11  wherein the second selector comprises a rounded shaft, the second selector shaft conforming to the holes in the second weight plates over at least the top half of the second selector shaft. 
     
     
         13 . An adjustable weight set apparatus comprising a handle assembly including a handle and a plurality of weight plates adapted for mounting on the handle, the weight plates comprising a main body portion and a top portion extending from the main body portion at an angle. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 13  wherein the weight plates are made of steel. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 13  wherein when the weight plates are mounted on the handle assembly a longitudinal space between weight plates in opposing sets is greater on one side of the handle than the other allowing for increase wrist clearance for a user of the apparatus. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 13  further comprising a center of mass disposed substantially at a midpoint of the apparatus, the midpoint being disposed along a longitudinal axis of the handle. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 13  further comprising an adjustable retainer, the retainer configured to receive and hold the handle assembly and weight plates. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 17  wherein the retainer comprises a center plate and a pair of end plates slidably attached to the center plate. 
     
     
         19 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 18  wherein the retainer is configured to support the weight plates such that a vertical profile of the weight plates tapers toward a center of the retainer when the weight plates are held by the retainer.