Adjustable dumbbell

Abstract

An adjustable dumbbell comprising a bar assembly which can retain a user-selectable number of weight elements, user-selectable by actuation of sliding locking tabs. A base for supporting the bar assembly and weights while not in use is also disclosed. The bar assembly may possess notches into which the tabs of the weight plates may fit to retain weight plates in the lengthwise direction, and user-slideable tabs integral to the bar assembly which restrain selected plates to the notches by passing through the small notch and preventing transverse relative movement. With weight elements seated in the stand, and the bar assembly seated in an arrangement of weight plates, a user can select the number of weight plates connected to the bar assembly by extending or retracting the sliding lock tabs, and then lift the dumbbell from the stand carrying the desired number of plates, leaving the remaining plates in the stand.

1 . An adjustable dumbbell system comprising:
 a. two spaced-apart sets of weight members placed to permit placement of an extendable bar assembly therebetween, each of the weight members including an opening configured to receive and engage an extendable engagement member of a bar assembly; and   b. an extendable bar assembly comprising an elongate bar having a long axis and two extendable engagement members contained within and extendable from opposite distal ends of the bar along the long axis whereby:
 i. upon positioning the extendable bar assembly in a contracted position with the extendable engagement members retracted within the elongate bar, when the engagement members are extended from the distal ends of the bar assembly they can each extend through and engage the opening of one or more of the weight members in series resulting in a selectively weighted dumbbell for use; and 
 ii. upon retraction of the extendable engagement members into the elongate bar, when serially engaging one or more of the weight members, the extendable bar assembly will disengage from set weight members. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein:
 a. the elongate bar further comprises a rotatable actuator rotatable about the long axis and comprises internal threading; 
 b. the extendable engagement members are provided with external threading configured to mesh with the internal threading of the rotatable actuator; 
 
       whereupon rotation of the rotatable actuator in a first direction imparts a first linear directional movement to distally extend the extendable engagement members from the distal ends of the elongate bar, and rotation of the rotatable actuator in a second direction imparts a second and opposite linear directional movement to retract the extendable engagement members; 
       wherein when the rotatable actuator is rotated in the first direction, the extendable engagement members distally extend and pass through the opening of one or more of the weight members in series, thus engaging the one or more of the weight members; and 
       wherein when the rotatable actuator is rotated in the second direction, the extendable engagement members retract back out of the opening of the one or more of the weight members in series to disengage from the one or more of the weight members. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the rotatable actuator comprises a cylindrical hand grip disposed around a central portion of the bar assembly and rotatable about the long axis of the bar assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3  wherein the bar assembly comprises notched ends disposed at opposite ends of the bar assembly and provided with guideways, each extendable engagement member slidably disposed in one of the guideways. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the opening in each weight member comprises:
 a. a vertical notch from an upper edge of the weight member to a centre of the weight member configured for receipt of one of the notched ends of the bar assembly; and 
 b. a tab at a bottom thereof such that when the notched end of the bar assembly is received in the vertical notch, a corresponding notch of the notched end of said bar assembly engages the tab to restrain distal movement of the weight member relative to the bar assembly. 
 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5  wherein the opening of each weight member further comprises a horizontal notch configured for receipt of the extendable engagement member, positioned at the bottom of the vertical notch;
 wherein when a notched end of the bar assembly is received in the vertical notch and the hand grip is rotated in the first direction, the extendable engagement members move in the first linear direction passing through the horizontal notch of the one or more of the weight members in series, such that lifting of the bar assembly will cause the extendable engagement members to press up against the horizontal notch and lift the one or more weight members; and 
 wherein when the notched end of the bar assembly is received in the vertical notch and the hand grip is rotated in the second direction, the extendable engagement members move in the second and opposite linear direction passing back out of the horizontal notch of the one or more of the weight members in series to disengage from the one or more weight members. 
 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a stand for supporting the two spaced-apart sets of weight members in resting positions for engagement by the extension of the bar assembly, said stand comprising slots for receiving the weight members and supporting the weight members in an orientation allowing the extendable engagement members to pass through the openings. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the weight members are supported in a generally vertical orientation. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the weight members are supported in an orientation angled off of vertical. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the bar assembly further comprises a surface configured to engage an innermost of the weight members to prevent movement of the weight members along the long axis once engaged. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 2  further comprising a pin configured to prevent further rotation of the rotatable actuator relative to the extendable engagement members thereby securing the engagement of the extendable engagement members with the one or more of the weight members. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 3  wherein the rotatable actuator further comprises a weight setting indicator system namely:
 a. a plurality of apertures through and disposed around the actuator, allowing the user to see at least a portion of at least one of the extendable engagement members through each aperture; and 
 b. selectively aligned weight indicia which indicate the total weight of the system based on the number of weight elements engaged by the extended engagement members; 
 wherein the user can see the selected weight of the dumbbell system by adjusting the weight indicia and the apertures by extending or retracting the engagement members until the desired weight indicia are aligned with an active aperture indicating the current use weight of the system. 
 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the weight indicia are weight values or markings on the engagement members which become visible through an active aperture. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the weight indicia are the interior ends of the engagement members, whereby the user will see the interior ends of the engagement members through the apertures each of which is marked with a weight value.