Dumbbell

Abstract

A dumbbell comprises a pair of frame members, each having a lower plate-like portion and an upper stem portion. The frame members are coupled together via spacer bars. An upper spacer bar is coupled to the frames members at the stem portions, and a handle is mounted for rotation about the upper spacer bar. Two lower spacer bars positioned near the front and back of the plate-like portions of the frame members. The frame members may provide the desired weight, either through choice of material, plate thickness or both, or the frame members may be provide a basic “master” weight plate for the dumbbell, with additional weight being provided by the addition of one or more weight plates to each frame member. Pads are mounted about the lower spacer bars, and are positioned to contact the wrist area of a user during exercise movements. A gap is defined between the pads through which the hand of a user may inserted to grasp the dumbbell in an upside-down orientation for secure control and comfort for certain exercise movements. The dumbbell may also be manipulated by the handle or stems for certain kettlebell exercises.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A dumbbell comprising
 a pair of longitudinally-spaced frame members, each having a lower plate-like portion and an upper stem portion;   a generally longitudinally-extending upper spacer bar coupled to the frames members at the stem portions;   a first generally longitudinally-extending lower spacer bar coupled to the frame members at the front regions of the frame members' plate-like portions;   a second generally longitudinally-extending lower spacer bar coupled to the frame members at the rear regions of the frame members' plate-like portions; and   a handle mounted for rotation about the upper spacer bar.   
     
     
         2 . The dumbbell of  claim 1  including
 pads mounted on the lower spacer bars to define a padded region positioned to contact the wrist area of a user during exercise movements. 
 
     
     
         3 . The dumbbell of  claim 2  wherein a gap is defined between the pads defining the padded region through which the hand of a user may inserted to grasp the handle. 
     
     
         4 . The dumbbell of  claim 3  wherein the padded region is positioned for contact with the user's wrist area during exercise movements when the user's hand is grasping the handle through said gap. 
     
     
         5 . The dumbbell of  claim 3  wherein the gap is dimension in such a way that the pads are nested against the user's wrist area when the user's hand is grasping the handle through said gap. 
     
     
         6 . The dumbbell of  claim 4  wherein the frame members provide substantially all the desired weight of the dumbbell. 
     
     
         7 . The dumbbell of  claim 4 , wherein the frame members provide a substantial portion of the desired weight of the dumbbell and the dumbbell is configured to accept additional weight plates adjacent each frame member 
     
     
         8 . The dumbbell of  claim 1  wherein the dumbbell is configured to accept weight plates securely mounted adjacent each frame member, and including
 a plurality of weight plates securely mounted to the frame members, the weight plates being shaped to generally overly the plate portion of the frame member to which it is securely mounted and to generally not overly the stem portion of that frame member. 
 
     
     
         9 . The dumbbell of  claim 1  wherein the bottom edge of the frame members are generally concave in shape as they extend from the front to the back of the dumbbell to provide four regions of support for the dumbbell when it is placed on the floor or other supporting surface.