Dumbbell With Antimicrobial Handle

Abstract

A dumbbell having an antimicrobial handle comprises a bar having a pair of end regions, and extending generally longitudinally therebetween along a generally central axis, weight plate masses mounted at the end regions and mechanically secured thereto, and a pair of collars located at longitudinally opposed positions on bar to define a handle region therebetween. A handle is located within the handle region and includes a generally tubular supporting substrate positioned about the bar, and a generally tubular grip surface member supported by the substrate and formed from an antimicrobial copper alloy, the supporting substrate and generally tubular grip surface member extending generally axially between longitudinally spaced-apart end regions. The collars have axially-inwardly extending flange portions sized and structured to substantially circumscribe the end regions of the grip surface member and to securely capture the end regions between the flange portions and the bar.

1 . A dumbbell comprising:
 a bar having a pair of end regions, and extending generally longitudinally therebetween along a generally central axis;   weight plate masses mounted at the end regions and mechanically secured thereto; and   a pair of generally annular collars located at longitudinally opposed positions on bar to define a handle region therebetween,   a handle being located within the handle region and including a generally tubular supporting substrate positioned about the bar, and a generally tubular grip surface member supported by the substrate and formed from an antimicrobial copper alloy, the supporting substrate and generally tubular grip surface member extending between respective end regions,   the pair of longitudinally-spaced generally annular collars having axially-inwardly extending flange portions sized and structured to substantially circumscribe the end regions of the generally cylindrical grip surface and to securely capture the end regions between the flange portions and the bar.   
     
     
         2 . The dumbbell of  claim 1  wherein the grip surface member and the supporting substrate extend between respective pairs of end regions, and
 the flange portions are sized and structured to substantially circumscribe the end regions of the supporting substrate and grip surface member to securely capture said end regions between the flange portions and the bar. 
 
     
     
         3 . The dumbbell of  claim 2  the axially-inward extending flange portions are sized and structured to securely compress said end regions between the flange portions and the bar. 
     
     
         4 . The dumbbell of  claim 2  wherein said end regions are captured between the flange portions and the bar via a diameter-reduction operation imposed on the flange regions. 
     
     
         5 . The dumbbell of  claim 1  wherein the end regions of the supporting substrate are flared to capture the grip surface member therebetween. 
     
     
         6 . A dumbbell comprising:
 a bar having a pair of end regions, and extending generally longitudinally therebetween along a generally central axis;   weight plate masses mounted at the end regions and mechanically secured thereto; and   a pair of generally annular collars located at longitudinally opposed positions on bar to define a handle region therebetween,   a handle being located within the handle region and including a generally tubular supporting substrate positioned about the bar, and a generally tubular grip surface member supported by the substrate and formed from an antimicrobial copper alloy, the supporting substrate and generally tubular grip surface member extending between respective end regions,   the end regions of the supporting substrate being flared to securely capture the generally tubular grip surface therebetween.