US20140080683A1

US20140080683A1 - Aquatic kettlebell device and use thereof

Info

Publication number: US20140080683A1
Application number: US13/622,142
Authority: US
Inventors: Gail A. Capobianco
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-09-18
Filing date: 2012-09-18
Publication date: 2014-03-20

Abstract

The present invention teaches a kettlebell-type device adapted for use in an aquatic environment, wherein a hollow body is made of a material that cannot damage the lining of a swimming pool; a handle of sufficient length as to allow a user to grip said handle with two hands; and weights permanently or removably affixed to the device, wherein the weights comprise containers for water or other non-toxic filler that may be filled to a user-defined level. In addition, the device may comprise one or more optional additional weights.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains to weight-lifting devices designed to build muscle strength, and specifically to kettlebell-type devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many weight-lifting devices exist, and several of them are adapted for use in an aquatic environment. The so-called “kettlebell” is a device with a single handle resting atop a body that may be of a fixed weight or a variable weight. The user lifts the kettlebell in a predefined movement with the object of strengthening muscles in the arms, legs, and trunk.
Most kettlebells are made of a hard material that encases either a hollow or a solid core. A hollow-core kettlebell may be filled with a variable quantity of material to adjust the weight of the kettlebell. The standard hollow-core kettlebell can be filled with any liquid. Alternatively, pellets or small chunks of solid materials of any type can be used to fill the hollow core of the kettlebell.
Kettlebells are, however, invariably designed for use exclusively on land. The kettlebell body can easily crack the lining to a swimming pool upon impact; also, they are not hydrodynamically efficiently designed; they are designed to move through air rather than through water. Furthermore, any variable weights affixed to a kettlebell can be filled with a toxic substance, which would make its use in a swimming pool or other aquatic environment unfeasible.
Lacking in the art is a kettlebell-type variable- or fixed-weight device adapted for use in a swimming pool so as to minimize the resistance of water flow around the device as the user moves the device through the water. Also lacking in the art is a kettlebell-type variable- or fixed-weight device adapted for use in the water so as to eliminate the risk of cracking the lining of a swimming pool if the device impacts the pool lining. Also lacking in the art is a kettlebell-type variable- or fixed-weight device adapted for use in the water so as to prevent the expulsion of any toxic substance into the water of a swimming pool should the kettlebell-type device become damaged.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention teaches a variable- or fixed-weight kettlebell device that is adapted for use in a swimming pool or other aquatic environment. The device comprises a body comprising one or more walls encasing one or more chambers that is pendantly affixed to a handle that is gripped by a user in the act of moving the device through water for the purpose of strengthening muscles and for cardiovascular fitness. The handle is permanently or removably affixed to the body. The kettlebell device may be of variable weight, wherein the user can fill the chambers to the desired level with a non-toxic filler (water is used in the present embodiment, but other non-toxi) or of fixed weight, wherein the chambers are sealed at a pre-filled level.
The body of the kettlebell-type device comprises material or materials that are incapable of damaging a swimming pool liner. Further, the body comprises, in the current embodiment, separated chambers encased in separate walls in a configuration designed to reduce the resistance of movement through water. In the current embodiment, the body comprises tubular bottles. The separated units may be joined together by a mechanical device such as a band, wire, chain, gusset, jaw, mesh, line, cord, twine, membrane, rod, truss, or yoke, or the separated units may be unjoined. In an alternate embodiment, the body may comprise one unit containing one or a plurality of chambers that may be fillable with a non-toxic filler. In the current embodiment, the liquid used in filling the chamber or chambers is water; however, any non-toxic filler is within the scope of the invention.
The handle is made of material or materials that render the device not buoyant in water. It is shaped in such a way that a user can use one or two hands on one handle to lift the device.
The body and handle may be joined by a screwing mechanism, or they may be anchored to opposite sides of a plate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a kettlebell-type device that is adapted for use in a swimming pool or other aquatic environment.

FIG. 2 shows a kettlebell-type device that is adapted for use in a swimming pool or other aquatic environment with additional containers for weights removably affixed. FIGS. 2 a, 2 b, and 2 c show different configurations of additional weights.

FIG. 3 shows a kettlebell-type device that is adapted for use in a swimming pool or other aquatic environment comprising a body and a handle affixed to a plate between them.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND DRAWINGS

Referring now to FIG. 1, a hollow body 100 adapted for use in an aquatic environment is shown. One or more chambers 105 are encased within the body 100 by a wall 107. The material of which the body 100 and wall 107 are made cannot damage the lining of a swimming pool; that material is generally plastic, resin, rubber, or sheet metal, although other materials that do not damage a swimming pool lining upon impact are also within the scope of the invention.
In the present embodiment, the body 100 containing one or more chambers 105 is pendantly affixed to a handle 110 of sufficient length to allow a user to grip the handle 110 with two hands.
The hollow body 100 comprises one or more walls 107 separating a series of one or more weights 115 that may be demountably or permanently mounted to the handle 110. The weights 115 may be commercially available bottles of non-toxic filler 117, where the filler 117 may be water, a non-toxic oil, a non-toxic gel, a suspension of a non-toxic substance in water, an infusion of a non-toxic substance in water, a suspension of a non-toxic substance in non-toxic oil, an infusion of a non-toxic substance in non-toxic oil, a suspension of a non-toxic substance in non-toxic gel, an infusion of a non-toxic substance in non-toxic gel, a solid filler such as pellets, rods, wood chips, metal chips, or other material that is more dense than water, or any other non-toxic filler substance or combination of these substances. The non-toxic substance 117 within the chamber or chambers 105 is at least as dense as swimming pool water. The weight 115 can be filled with a non-toxic substance 117 to a user-defined level or prefilled and sealed by a manufacturer, or the weight 115 may comprise one or more containers made of different thicknesses of plastic, resin, rubber, sheet metal or other material that does not damage the lining of a swimming pool. When the weight 115 comprises more than one container, the containers may be separated from one another in such a way that water resistance is minimized by water flowing between the walls 107 surrounding the hollow chambers 105 when the device is used in an aquatic environment.
Referring now to FIG. 2 a, the device described in FIG. 1, supra, is shown with optional additional weights 205 affixed to the body 100. The optional additional weights 205 may be commercially available bottles of non-toxic filler 117, where the filler 117 may be water, a non-toxic oil, a non-toxic gel, a suspension of a non-toxic substance in water, an infusion of a non-toxic substance in water, a suspension of a non-toxic substance in non-toxic oil, an infusion of a non-toxic substance in non-toxic oil, a suspension of a non-toxic substance in non-toxic gel, an infusion of a non-toxic substance in non-toxic gel, a solid filler such as pellets, rods, wood chips, metal chips, or other material that is more dense than water, or any other non-toxic filler substance or combination of these substances. The optional additional weight 205 is at least as dense as swimming pool water. The optional additional weight 205 can be filled with non-toxic filler 117 to a user-defined level or prefilled and sealed by a manufacturer. Further, the optional additional weight 205 may comprise one or more bodies made of different thicknesses of plastic, resin, rubber, sheet metal or other material that does not damage the lining of a swimming pool.
Referring now to FIG. 2 b, the device described in FIG. 1, supra, is shown with optional additional weights 205 affixed to the handle 110.
Referring now to FIG. 2 c, the device described in FIG. 1, supra, is shown with additional weights 205 affixed to the body 100 and to the handle 110.
Referring now to FIG. 3, the device described in FIG. 1, supra, is shown with a plate 305 inserted between the body 100 and the handle 110. The plate 305 has two sides, a body side 310 upon which the body 100 is affixed, and, opposite the body side 310, a handle side 315, upon which the handle is affixed.
The body 100 may be removably affixed to the plate 305 by friction with a cork or stopper 320 that is permanently affixed to the plate 305 onto which the body 100 is slidingly affixed. Alternatively, the body 100 may be removably affixed to the plate 305 by screwing the body 100 to a screw cap 325 permanently affixed to the plate 305 onto which the body 100 is screwingly affixed.
In an alternate embodiment, the body 100 may be permanently affixed to the plate 305. In this embodiment, the body 100 may be of a fixed weight, or the liquid within one or more chambers 105 may be introduced or removed to vary the weight of the device through a plugged hole, a valve, or a stem 330 traversing the body 100 between the exterior of the device 335 and the chamber 105.
The handle 105 may be permanently affixed to the plate 305 on the opposite side of the plate 305 from the body 100, or the handle 105 may be removably affixed to the plate 305. The handle 105 may be comprised of resin, plastic, rubber, PVC or metal piping. The handle 105 may be hollow or solid.
The plate 305 may be adapted to hold the body 100 in any orientation. In the orientation shown, the body 100 depends from the plate 305. However, it is within the scope of the invention for the body 100 to project in any direction from the plate 305. It is also within the scope of the invention for additional weights 205 to be permanently or removably affixed to the plate 305, and to project in any direction from the plate 305.
The plate 305 may also have optional additional weights 205 affixed thereto. The affixment may be permanent or the optional additional weights 205 may be removable by affixing with a screw cap 325 permanently affixed to the plate 305 or by affixing with a stopper or cork 320 permanently affixed to the plate 305.
The body 100 may optionally be surrounded by a strap or band 340.
A benefit of the invention is that a user can gain the advantage of a kettlebell workout while enjoying the advantages of moving in an aquatic environment without fear of cracking the lining of a swimming pool. Advantages of moving in an aquatic environment include but are not limited to reduced stress on joints and increased resistance to movement.
Another benefit of the invention is that the user can use the device either in the water or on land.
While a preferred embodiment is shown and described herein, it should be understood that the present disclosure is made by way of example only and that variations in the described method and its uses are possible within the scope of this disclosure without departing from the subject matter coming within the scope of claims to be examined, and a reasonable equivalency thereof, which I regard as my invention.

Claims

I claim:

1. A kettlebell-type device adapted for use in an aquatic environment, said device comprising:

a hollow body, wherein said hollow body comprises one or a plurality of chambers separated by a wall, said wall comprising a material that cannot damage the lining of a swimming pool;

a handle of sufficient length as to allow a user to grip said handle with two hands affixed to said body, said handle being made of a member of the group consisting of resin, plastic, rubber, and PVC or metal piping;

an optional non-toxic filler, wherein said non-toxic filler is contained within a member of the group consisting of said chamber and said handle;

an optional plate, said plate having two sides, a handle side and a body side, wherein said plate is affixed to said handle on said handle side and to said body on said body side;

optional additional weights affixed to a member of the group consisting of said body, said plate, and said handle.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising said plurality of chambers being divided in such a way that external water flows through a separation between said chambers when said device is moved through an aquatic environment.

3. The device of claim 1 further comprising said optional additional weights being removably affixed to a member of the group consisting of said handle, said body, and said plate.

4. The device of claim 1 further comprising said optional additional weights being permanently affixed to a member of the group consisting of said handle, said body, and said plate.

5. The device of claim 1 further comprising said plate being affixed to said body with a member of the group consisting of a screw cap, a stopper, and a cork.

6. The device of claim 1 further comprising each of said chambers having an opening whereby a user can add or remove a non-toxic filler thereto.

7. The device of claim 1 further comprising each of said chambers containing a predetermined amount of a non-toxic filler, wherein said amount cannot be modified by a user.

8. The device of claim 1 further comprising said body being made of a material selected from the group consisting of plastic, resin, rubber, and sheet metal.

9. The device of claim 1 further comprising said non-toxic filler being at least as dense as swimming pool water.

10. The device of claim 1 further comprising said non-toxic filler being a member of the group consisting of water, a non-toxic oil, a non-toxic gel, a suspension of a non-toxic substance in water, an infusion of a non-toxic substance in water, a suspension of a non-toxic substance in non-toxic oil, an infusion of a non-toxic substance in non-toxic oil, a suspension of a non-toxic substance in non-toxic gel, pellets, rods, wood chips, metal chips, an infusion of a non-toxic substance in non-toxic gel, and a combination of the listed fillers.

11. The device of claim 1 further comprising said optional plate being affixed to said body on a body side and to said handle on an opposing handle side.

12. The plate of claim 11 further comprising said plate being adapted to accommodate one or more optional additional weights being affixed thereto.

13. A kettlebell-type device adapted for use in an aquatic environment, said device comprising:

a hollow body, wherein said hollow body comprises one or a plurality of chambers and a wall, said wall comprising a material that cannot damage the lining of a swimming pool, said material comprising a member of the group consisting of plastic, resin, rubber, and sheet metal;

a non-toxic filler, said non-toxic filler being selected from the group consisting of water, a non-toxic oil, a non-toxic gel, a suspension of a non-toxic substance in water, an infusion of a non-toxic substance in water, a suspension of a non-toxic substance in non-toxic oil, an infusion of a non-toxic substance in non-toxic oil, a suspension of a non-toxic substance in non-toxic gel, a solid filler such as pellets, rods, wood chips, metal chips, an infusion of a non-toxic substance in non-toxic gel, and a combination of the listed fillers, wherein said non-toxic filler is at least as dense as swimming pool water, and wherein said non-toxic filler is contained within a member of the group consisting of said chamber and said handle;

a plate, said plate having two sides, a handle side and a body side, said body side being affixed to said hollow body and said handle side being affixed to said handle; and

optional additional weights, said optional weights being removably affixed to a member of the group consisting of said body, said wall, said plate, and said handle.

14. The device of claim 13 further comprising said plurality of chambers being separated in such a way as to minimize friction against said body caused by moving said device through an aquatic environment.

15. The device of claim 13 further comprising said non-toxic filler being permanently sealed within a member of the group consisting of said hollow body, said handle, and said optional additional weights.

16. The device of claim 13 further comprising said non-toxic filler being removably contained within a member of the group consisting of said hollow body, said handle, and said optional additional weights.

17. The device of claim 13 further comprising said plate being adapted to accommodate one or more optional additional weights.

18. A kettlebell-type device adapted for use in an aquatic environment, said device comprising:

a hollow body, wherein said hollow body comprises one or a plurality of chambers and a wall, wherein said chambers are separated in such a way as to minimize friction against said body caused by moving said device through an aquatic environment and said wall comprising a material that cannot damage the lining of a swimming pool, said material comprising a member of the group consisting of plastic, resin, rubber, and sheet metal;

a plate, said plate having two sides, a handle side and a body side, said body side being affixed to said hollow body and said handle side being affixed to said handle;

optional additional weights, said optional weights being removably affixed to a member of the group consisting of said body, said wall, said plate, and said handle; and

a non-toxic filler, said non-toxic filler being selected from the group consisting of water, a non-toxic oil, a non-toxic gel, a suspension of a non-toxic substance in water, an infusion of a non-toxic substance in water, a suspension of a non-toxic substance in non-toxic oil, an infusion of a non-toxic substance in non-toxic oil, a suspension of a non-toxic substance in non-toxic gel, a solid filler such as pellets, rods, wood chips, metal chips, or other material that is more dense than water, an infusion of a non-toxic substance in non-toxic gel, and a combination of the listed fillers, wherein said non-toxic filler is at least as dense as swimming pool water, and wherein said non-toxic filler is contained within a member of the group consisting of said chamber and said handle.

19. The device of claim 18 further comprising said non-toxic filler being permanently contained within said member of said group consisting of said chamber and said handle.

20. The device of claim 18 further comprising said non-toxic filler being removably contained within said member of said group consisting of said chamber and said handle.