GB2505964A

GB2505964A - Apparatus for Aiding in Kettlebell Lifting

Info

Publication number: GB2505964A
Application number: GB1216651.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Alex Fortey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-09-18
Filing date: 2012-09-18
Publication date: 2014-03-19
Also published as: GB201216651D0

Abstract

A kettlebell lifting aid comprises a lifting member 12 with at least two support members 14 at opposing locations along a longitudinal axis A of the lifting member. Each support member comprises a section 20 configured to receive the handle of a kettlebell in a hanging arrangement, such as by defining a semi-cylindrical hook orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the lifting member. The support arms of the apparatus are interconnected by a cross brace 31, and the lifting member may be cylindrical with a bore to receive a weight lifting bar. There may be a locking member 34 (e.g. locking pin with tapering end) across the opening of a receiving section to retain kettlebell handles therein. The locking mechanism may include a release member at the proximal end of the pin, where force applied to the release member causes the pin to retract to allow kettlebell-handle removal.

Description

KElILEBELL LiFTING APPARAlUS The present invention relates to a kettlehell lifting apparatus, and in particular a lifting apparatus to enable two or more kettlehells to he liked simultaneously.

Kettlehells are a well known Uaditional weighted exercise device, used in gyms for perfonning weight.lifting exercises and in particular ballistic training which includes an accelerated lift of the weight into free space rather than the more controlled and slower lifting release of conventional weight training. Kcttlchclls comprise a weighted body with a single generally loop type handle which a user grips typically with one hand to lilt and raise the kettlehell to carry out a varieLy of exercises. Kettlehells are distinct to other type of exercise devices, for example dumbbells and barbells, in that they comprise a single weight and a single loop handle. The body is typically spherical and a range of kettlehells may he provided having differing weights. [5

Conventionally kcttlchclls are cast as an integral one piece assembly from cast iron, or having a handle cast into the weight body. It is important that the handle is permanently and securely attached to the body to prevent disconnection between the body and the handle which could lead to serious injury. l'hcreforc, while kettlchells arc provided in a variety of sizes and weights it is not possible to vary the weight of a given kcttlcbell and to increase the resistance a user must select, a heavier kett.lehell. Therefore, in order to accommodate a wide range of weightli king abilities a large range of kettlehells of varying weights is required. This requirement for a large range of kcttlchells may prove costly for a gym, as well as requiring a significant amount of storage space to accommodate the kettlehells within [he gym environment.

It is therefore desirable to provide an improved kettlehell arrangement which addresses the above described problems and/or which would generally offer improvement.s or an alternative to existing arrangements.

According to the present invention this provided a kettlebell lifting apparatus as described in the accompanying claims.

In an embodiment of the invention them is pmvided a keulebeli lifting apparatus comprising an elongate lifting member having a longitudinal axis defined along its length; and at least two support members connected to the elongate lifting member and ananged at axially spaced locations relative to the longitudinal axis of the lifting member. Each support member comprises a receiving section configured to receive and support the handle of a kettlebell to suspend the kettlebell hum the lifting member in a hanging arrangement. In this way, multiple kettlebells may be lifted simultaneously using a single lifting member. The term lifting member may comprise any member to which a lifting force may applied, either directly or indirectly by a user to lift the kcttlebdlls attached to thereto.

The support members preferably comprise support arms connected at their upper ends to opposing axial ends of the lifting member. The support arms may be formed hum elongate flat bar members.

At least a portion of each support arm pitferably extends in an axially outward direction schthatthebaseofthesupportannisloeaSaxiallyoutwanisofitsupperendand such that the support arms are axially spaced a greater distance from each other at their base than their upper ends. This ensures that the spacing of the receiving sections and hence the kettlebells hanging thernflum is sufficient to allow the kettlebells to hang side by side without interference without requiring an unnecessarily long handle.

The support arms arc preferably interconnected by a cross brace member at a position between the lifting met and their base.

The receiving section of the each support member configured to define a hook connected to the lower end of the corresponding arm. The hook configuration pmvidcs a highly effective means of holding and retaining the cylindrical handles of the kettlebelis.

o I ach hook may comprise a substantially semi-cylindrical form having an axis arranged orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of the lifting member in a parallel plane, with the axial opening of the hook facing upwardly in the direction of the lifting member. By providing the hook with an axial length the support sec(ion (he stability of the kenlebell is optimises through engagement along a significant length of the handle.

Each hook section is preferably arranged on the axially outer side of (he corresponding arm relative to the longitudinal axis of the lifting member. Ihis enahle the kettlehell handles to be most easily inserted into the upwardly open channels without interference.

The lifting member is preferahly a substantially cylindrical and configured to he gripped by a user to lift the kettlehells held within the receiving sections. The circular section of the cylinder allow for a coiiifortable grip and rotation of the handle within a user's hand.

The lifting member may comprise and inner bore extending at least partially therethrough having at least one open end configured to receive a weight lifting har.

t5 The kettlebell lifting apparatus may further comprise locking means for retaining (he kettlehell handles within the receiving sections.'l'his provides a secure connection with the kettlehells in use and prevents them from falling out of the lifting apparatus and injuring the user.

The receiving sections preferably comprise an opening for receiving the kettlehell handles.

and each locking means comprises a locking member movable between a first exl.ended position in which it at least partially extends across the opening of the corresponding receiving section to prevent a kettlebell handles froni exiting the receiving section, and a retracted position in which a kettlebell handle may he removed.

The locking member may comprise a locking pin and the locking means further includes biasing means biasing the locking pin to the extended position.

The disal end of the locking pin preferably includes an upwardly facing tapered section tapering inwardly towards the distal end defining a linear camming surface arranged such that engagement of the kettlebell handle with the locking pin as it inserted into the receiving section causes the locking pin to slide axially inwards to the reracted position.

The locking means may include a release member connected to (he proximal end of (he locking pin and oriented way from thc longitudinal axis of the pin and arranged such that an inward axial force applied to the release member causes the locking pin to move to the re(racted position to permit removal of the kettJehell handle from (he receiving stion.

The present invention will now he described by way of example only with reference to the following illus(rative IIgures in which:

Iigurc 1 shows a prior art kcttlchcll;

Figure 2 shows a kettlehell lifting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is an isomeiric view of the keulebell lifting apparatus of [5 Figure 1; and Figure 4 shows a kettlehell lifting apparatus according to another enibodimen( of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 1 a kettlehell I comprises a generally spherical main body portion 2 and a handle 3 connected to the body portion. the handle 3 is a loop handle having a pair of upright portions 4 which bend at their upper ends to join an interconnecting substantially horizontal handle portion 5. The handle 3 is formed from a solid bar member such as a stainless steel or chmme plated Tod which is machined to pTovide a smooth outer surlace with the rod being bent into a loop or formed shape to form a handle. The handle 3 has a substantially circular cmss section to allow thc handle to rotate easily within the user's hands. The interconnecting horizontal portion 5 of (he handle 3 is sized such that a user's hands can readily and easily grab the interconnecting horizontal portion 5 with the upright portions 4 being spaced to comfortably accommodate the width of a user's hand.

The spherical shape of the body section 2 and (he fact that (.he handle 3 is permanently connected to the body section 2 mean it is not possible to add additional weights to the handle 3 as is possible for example in dumbbells having removable plates. In addi(ion. (he spherical shape of the body section 2 and the size of the handle 3 prevent more than one kettlehell from being held by a single hand.

To enable more than one kettlehell to he carried simultaneously a kettlehell lifting handle or yoke 10 is provided. As shown in Figure 2 the lifting handle 10 includes a substantially cylindrical handle section 12 which is elongate and configured t.o he comfortably gripped by at least one hand of a user. Ilie handle section 12 has a longitudinal axis A-A. A pair of arms 14 defining kcttlchcll hangers arc conncctcd to opposing axial ends of thc handle secl.ion 12, with each ann 14 being secured to the handle portion 12 by a threaded bolt 16.

The antis 14 may he secured to the handle portion 12 such that they are rotatable relative to the handle portion 12 to allow the arms 14 to hang in a substantially vertical orientation regardless of rotation of the handle enabling a secure grip to he maintained on the handle which does not require relative rotational slip heiween the handle portion 12 and the user's [5 hand. Alternatively, the handle portion 12 and hangers 14 may he rotationally fixed rather than to each other. In a further altcrnative arrangement the arms 14 may indirectly connected to the handle 12 by an intermediate member to which both arms 14 are connected which is then itself connected to the handle 12 either at two or more spaced locations or at a single axially central location along the handle 12.

Each ann 14 is fonned from a includes an upright connecting member 18 and a hook porLion 20. The connecting section includes an upper bracket section 22, an intermediate wing portion 24 and a lower substantially vertical section 18. The upper bracket section 22 includes an aperture for receiving the bolt 16 and/or an end portion of the handle 12. The bore of the bracket section 22 may he provided with a keyed or non-circular anti-rotational shape such as a square or hexagonal profile corresponding to a similar shaped end section of the handle 12 to prevent rotation between the bracket section 22 and the handle section 12. However it. will he appreciated that other means for preventing rotation between the bracket section 22 and the handle sect.ion 12 niay be provided, or as described above the handle 12 may he rotatable relative to the bracket section 22.

The intennediat.e wing section 24 slopes axially outwards relative to (he longitudinal axis A-A away from the bracket section 22 and the handle 12. The wing section 24 also tapers width wise oulwardlly in the downward direction away from the bracket section 22 with Ihe width of the wing section 24 being defined in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis A-A. At its lower edge the wing section 24 connects and transitions into the lower upright section 26 which extends downwardly in a substantially vertical orientation. The lower upright section 26 also tapers outwardly away from the wing section 24 in a downward direction such that it is wider at its base than at its top.

The lower upright section 26 connects to a hook portion 20 at its base. Ihe hook portion 20 is elongate and substantially u-shapcd in cross section defining a substantially semi cylindrical channel oriented such that the axially open section is upwardly facing. The curved channel or trough 28 defined by the hook portion 20 has an axial length arranged orthogonally to the longitudinal axis A-A of the handle 12 in a plane parallel thereto. The length of the hook section is equal to the width of the base of the upright section 26. An outer wall section 30 extends upwardlly from the outer edge of the curved base section 28 t5 defining retaining lip. As shown in Figure 3 the out.er edges of the retaining lip 30 may include a taper 32. Ihe diameter of the curved portion 28 of the hook section 20 is selected to substantially correspond to the diameter of the handle 3 of a kettle bell and is conligured to receive the horizontal portion 5 of a ket.tlehell 1 with minimal play between the handle 3 and the hook section 20. Ihe channel defined by the hook section 20 is snight in thc longitudinal direction to accommodate thc corresponding sUaight edge of thc horizontal handle portion 5 of a ket.tlehell without. rocking.

In use the handle 3 of the kcttlchcll 1 is inserted into the hook section 20 such that the horizontal portion 5 of the handle 3 is received within the channel 20. The hook section 20 is located longitudinally along the horiiontal portion 5 such that it is substantially central to ensure the weight of the kettlehell is balanced either side of the hook section 20. The outward tapering of the intermediate wing section 24 and the lower upright section 26 in the downward direction ensures that. the lenglh of Ihe channel defined by the hook section is substantially greater than the width of the bracket. sect.ion 22 in the direct.ion orthogonal to the longitudinal axis A-A of the handle 12. Ibis maxirnises the length of the channel 28 of the hook section 20 and thereby maximises the length of contact between the hook section 20 and the horizontal portion 5 from the handle 3 t.o optimise stability. Once the kettlehell I has been received within the hook portion 20 a second kettlehell is similarly located within the opposing hook section of the opposing kettlehell hanger portion 14. As a portion of the arms slope outwardly in the longitudinal axis direction A-A the spacing x between the lowermost points of hook sections 20 is greater than the length y of the handle 12. The spacing xis selected such that it is at. least equal t.o the diameter of thc largest kcttlchell for which the lifting handle 10 is intended for usc. This ensures that two kettlebells are able to hang from the hook sections 20 in a vertical manner without diametric interference with each ot.her.

A horizontal cross brace 31 interconnects the arms at a location approximately a third of the distance down the arms 14 from the handle i2. The cross brace 31 includes a horizontal bar section 33 having vertical downwardly extending legs at either end which connect to the arms 14 via any suitable means. The cross brace 31 assists in countering inward bending moments acting on the arms 14 and to maintain the ends of the arms 14 in a fixed spaced relationship. [5

I ach arm 14 is provided with a latch 34 for locking and maintaining the handleS of the kettlehell I within the channel of the hook section 20 to prevent the kettlehell I from slipping from the handle 10 and causing injury. The latch 34 includes a locking pin 36 arranged in a horizontal orientation at a vertical distance equal from the base of the inner surfacc of thc cuiwcd section 28 of the hook equal to or grcatcr than thc inner diameter of the curved section 28 of the hook 20. In this way the vertical distance between the lower edge of the pin 36 and the lowermost point of the inner surface of the hook 20 is able to accommodate the diameter of the kcttlehcll handle 5. The latch 34 is arranged such that the pin 36 is vertically aligned with the handle 12 and extends horizontally in a direction parallel to Lhe longitudinal axis A-A.

The latch 34 includes a body section 38 located on the inner side of the arm 14 beneath eth cross brace 31, with the pin 36 extending through a corresponding apert.ure in the ann 14 and the downward legs 35 of the cmuss brace 31. The pin 36 is slidingly received within the body 38 and is spring loaded by a coil spring (not shown) located within the body 38 such that the pin 36 is biased to the extended position in which it extends axially outwards of the out.er face of the ann 14 and extends axially over at least part of the opening t.o the hook section 20 to vertically retain the kettlehell handle within the channel of the hook seclion 20. The dislal end of the pin 36 includes a chamfered section 40 defining an upwardly facing sloping face.

In use the kettlebell handle 5 is lowered int.o the hook section 20 and upon engagement with the tapered surface of the pin 40 thc resulting linear camming action forces the pin 36 inwardly against the action of the spring. Once the handle S has passed downwardly passed the lowermost, edge of the pin 36 the spring acts to return the pin 36 to the extended position thereby locking the handle S with the hook section 20 through engagement of the handle 5 with the lower edge of the pin 36. A release catch 42 is connected to the proximal end of the pin 36 axially inwards of the body 38. The release catch 42 includes a linger plate arranged orthogonally to the axis of the pin 36 and configured to be gripped by a user to pull the pin axially inwardly to the protracted position to permit release of the kettlehell handle 5. The length of the apertures 34 is preferahly selected such that the distance between the release catches 42 of the two latches 34 is sufficiently close that they can be [5 simultaneously pinched by the thumb and forefinger of a user to simultaneously retract the pins 36. Ibis enables the handle 10 to he removed from both kettlehells simultaneously by placing the kettlebells on the floor, pinching the release catches 42 inwardly and moving the lifting handle 10 downwardly away from the handle sections 5 of the kelt.lebells.

In an alternative arrangement shown in figure 4 the handle 112 may comprise a hollow tubular member. The hollow tubular member of the handle 112 is elongate and circular in cross section. Ihe handle 112 includes at least one open end 113 and is configured to receive the end portion of a wcightlifting bar such as an Olympic bar. The arms 114 are secured to the tubular handle 112 in this embodiment by welding although any suitable means for connecting the two components may he used and the collar 112 may for example extend through the corresponding receiving aperture in the upper portion of the arm 114. The remaining construction of the lifting handle 110 is substantially the same as that described above. In use a lining handle 110 is slid over both ends of a weight.lifting bar and axially secured in place by a suitable means for example a spring clip collar.

Kettlehells are locked into the hook sections 120 of each lifting handle 110 and the bar is then lifted in any required manner. The kettlebells hanging from the ends of the weightlili.ing bar in this manner generate an instability which must he overcome by the lifter thereby producing a different lifting experience to standard weightlifting plates. As such the lifter must employ stabilising muscles to a far greater extent than is normally mquimd in other to maintain the bar in a stabilized orientation. The collar lifting handle may be used instead of or in addition to weight lifting plates to pmvide significant variety in the weightlifting exeitises undertaken.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims pmtection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hettinbefore ivfentd to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular auphasis to has been placed thereon.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A kettlehell lifting apparatus comprising: an elongate lifting member having a longitudinal axis delined along u.s length; and at least two support members connected to the elongate lifting member and arranged at axially spaced locations relative to the longitudinal axis of the lifting member; wherein each support member comprises a receiving section configured t.o receive and support the handle of a kettlehell to suspend the kettlehell from the lifting member in a hanging arrangcmcnt.
2. A kettlehell lifting apparatus according to claim I wherein the support members comprise support arms connected at their upper ends to opposing axial ends of the lifting member.t5
3. A ket.t.lehell lifting apparatus according to claim 2 wherein at least a portion of each support arm extends in an axially outward direction such that the base of the support arm is located axially outwards of its upper end and such that the support arms are axially spaced a great.er dist.ance from each other at their base than their upper ends.
4. A kcttlchdll lifting apparatus according to any onc of claim 2 or 3 whcrcin the supporl. arms are interconnected by a cross brace member at a position between the lifting member and their base.
5. A kettlehell lifting apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein the receiving section of the each support member configured to deline a hook connected to the lower end of the corresponding arm.
6. A ket.t.lehell lifting apparatus according to claim 5 wherein each hook comprises a substantially send-cylindrical form having an axis arranged orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of the lifting member in a parallel plane, with the axial opening of the hook facing upwardly in the direction of the lifting member.
7. A kettlehell lifting apparatus according to claim 5 or 6 wherein each hook section is arranged on the axially outer side of the corresponding arm relative to the longitudinal axis of the lifting member.
8. A kettlehell lifting apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the lifting member is substantially cylindrical and configured to be gripped by a user to lift the ketilebells held within the receiving sections.
9. A kettlchdll lifting apparatus according to any prcccding claim whercin the lifting member comprises and inner bore extending at least partially therethrough having at. least one open end configured to receive a weight lilting bar.
10. A kettlehell lifting apparatus according to any preceding clai in further comprising locking means for retaining the kettlebell handles within the receiving sections. [5II. A kettlehell lifting apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the receiving sections comprise an opening for receiving the kettlehell handles, and each locking means comprises a locking member movable between a first. extended position in which it at least partially extends across the opening of the corresponding receiving section to prevent a kcttlchell handles from exiting the receiving section, and a rcttacted position in which a ketilebell handle may he removed.12. A kettlehell lifting apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the locking member comprises a locking pin and the locking means further includes biasing means biasing the locking pin to the extended position.13. A kettlehell lifting apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the distal end of the locking pin includes an upwardly facing tapered section tapering inwardly towards the distal end defining a linear damming surface arranged such that engagement of the kettlebell handle with the locking pin as it inserted into the receiving section causes the locking pin to slide axially inwards to the reüacted position.14. A ket(lehell lifting apparaLus according to claim 12 or 13 wherein (he locking means includes a release member connected to the proximal end of the locking pin and oriented way from the longitudinal axis of the pin and affanged such that an inward axial force applied Lo the release member causes (he locking pin to move to the reEracted S position to permit removal of the kettlehell handle from the receiving section.15. A ket.tlehell lifling apparaLus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, andior as shown in figures 1 to 4.