Quotables
"There is no likelihood man can ever tap the power of the atom."
Robert Millikan, Nobel Prize winner in physics
PatentStorm News
Make the Most of PatentStorm
See this month's Top Inventors and Most Cited Patents.
Stay on top of the latest patents by subscribing to an RSS feed.
Got questions? Ask a Patent Expert!
Registered users: Manage your profile, comments and alerts.
US Patent 5839997 - Weight-lifting apparatus and method
US Patent Issued on November 24, 1998
Estimated Patent Expiration Date:
January 22, 2018Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.
Estimated Patent Expiration Date:
January 22, 2018Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.AbstractA weight-lifting apparatus includes a plurality of weights each having a central hole and a slot extending from the central hole to a perimeter of the associated weight, the slot having a width less than the diameter of the central hole. The apparatus further includes a shaft having opposing ends defining a diameter about equal to the central holes, and a sleeve positioned on the shaft. The shaft is shaped to rotatably engage the central holes and is rotatable to different positions. The shaft further has a plurality of recessed surfaces on the opposing ends corresponding to the different positions that extend different longitudinal lengths, the recessed surfaces defining with other surfaces on the shaft a reduced dimension about equal to the width of the slot. Further, the shaft and the weights are configured so that by rotating the shaft, the recessed surfaces are selectively positioned to allow the shaft to slide along one or more of the slots, thus selectively releasing the weights. A person using the weight-lifting apparatus can easily rotate the shaft to select a desired number of weights without interrupting their exercise routine. | InventorsAssigneeApplicationNo. 010863 filed on 01/22/1998US Classes:482/107, Having securing member (e.g., locking collar, etc.) for retaining weight on bar482/108Bar held by single hand of user (e.g., dumbbell, etc.)Field of Search482/50, Having weight feature (e.g., dumbbell, etc.)482/93, Utilizing weight resistance482/94, Including stationary support for weight482/98, Having guide around or through weight482/99, And flexible force transmitting linkage element482/106, Handheld bar with weight at each end (e.g., barbell, dumbbell, etc.) or component thereof482/107, Having securing member (e.g., locking collar, etc.) for retaining weight on bar482/108, Bar held by single hand of user (e.g., dumbbell, etc.)482/109ClubExaminersPrimary: Mulcahy, JohnAttorney, Agent or FirmUS Patent References1779594, 3771785, 3825253, 3913908, 4453710, DumbbellIssued on: 06/12/1984 Inventor: Plotz4529197, Dumbbell, adjustable, and locking means Issued on: 07/16/1985 Inventor: Gogarty4529198, Weight lifting apparatus Issued on: 07/16/1985 Inventor: Hettick, Jr.4787629, Exercise lifting bar with self-contained weight mounts Issued on: 11/29/1988 Inventor: DeMyer4822034, Barbell system Issued on: 04/18/1989 Inventor: Shields4971305, Variable add-on weight device Issued on: 11/20/1990 Inventor: Rennex4982957, Alignment apparatus for use in freeweight barbell systems Issued on: 01/08/1991 Inventor: Shields5123885, Freeweight locking mechanism Issued on: 06/23/1992 Inventor: Shields5344375, Gravity biased exercise apparatus Issued on: 09/06/1994 Inventor: Cooper5435800, Weight carrying member with frictionally engagable weights Issued on: 07/25/1995 Inventor: Nelson5637064Adjustable dumbbell Issued on: 06/10/1997 Inventor: Olson, et al. Foreign Patent References
International ClassA63B 021/075 |
