US20220409945A1

US20220409945A1 - Smart weight system

Info

Publication number: US20220409945A1
Application number: US17/808,437
Authority: US
Inventors: Sandeep Bhandarkar; Krishna Ramanathan
Original assignee: Surge Sportstech Inc
Current assignee: Surge Sportstech Inc
Priority date: 2021-06-23
Filing date: 2022-06-23
Publication date: 2022-12-29
Also published as: WO2022271993A1

Abstract

A weight system may include a concentric weight plate, a weight body, a locking mechanism, and a handle. The weight body may define a cavity. The locking mechanism may be disposed within the cavity. The locking mechanism may be configured to selectively attach the concentric weight plate to the weight body. The handle may be coupled to the weight body and configured to permit a user to move the weight system as a single unit.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application claims the benefit of and priority to India Provisional App. No. 202111028133 filed Jun. 23, 2021, titled “SMART WEIGHT SYSTEM,” which is incorporated in the present disclosure by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The embodiments discussed in the present disclosure are related to a smart weight system.

BACKGROUND

Unless otherwise indicated herein, the materials described herein are not prior art to the claims in the present application and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.
Free weights are common pieces of equipment used in conjunction with workouts and other various forms of exercise. Common free weights include dumbbells, barbells, and kettlebells, which often include a fixed weight. Typically many different sizes of free weights may be used in workouts and other various exercises, in which procuring many free weights may include high costs and may occupy a large amount of space for storage.
Some adjustable free weights attempt to address the above cited issues with free weights. For example, in some circumstances, the adjustable free weights are often oversized and include a variable form factor for each iteration of weight selected.
The subject matter claimed in the present disclosure is not limited to embodiments that solve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such as those described above. Rather, this background is only provided to illustrate one example technology area where some embodiments described in the present disclosure may be practiced.

SUMMARY

In an embodiment, a weight system may include a concentric weight plate, a weight body, a locking mechanism, and a handle. The weight body may define a cavity. The locking mechanism may be disposed within the cavity. The locking mechanism may be configured to selectively attach the concentric weight plate to the weight body. The handle may be coupled to the weight body and configured to permit a user to move the weight system as a single unit.
In another embodiment, a weight system may include concentric weight plates, a weight body, a locking mechanism, a handle, a locking pin, and a dock. The weight body may define a cavity. The locking mechanism may be disposed within the cavity. The locking mechanism may include a front surface that defines a receptacle. The locking mechanism may be configured to selectively attach at least a portion of the concentric weight plates to the weight body within the cavity. The handle may be coupled to the weight body. The handle may also permit a user to move the weight system as a single unit. The locking pin may interface with the receptacle to selectively attach the concentric weight plate to the weight body. The dock may be sized and shaped to receive the weight body.
The objects and advantages of the embodiments will be realized and achieved at least by the elements, features, and combinations particularly pointed out in the claims.
Both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are given as examples and are explanatory and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Example embodiments will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate perspective views of an example smart weight system using a kettlebell and a dumbbell, respectively;

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate top views of the smart weight system;

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate side views of the smart weight system;

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate front views of the smart weight system;

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate perspective views of the smart weight system;

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate exploded perspective views of the smart weight system;

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate perspective views of the smart weight system;

FIG. 8A illustrates a perspective views of an example weight lock mechanism that may be implemented in smart weight system;

FIG. 8B illustrates an exploded perspective view of the example weight lock mechanism that may be implemented in the smart weight system;

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate perspective views of example docks that may be implemented in the smart weight system; and

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate exploded perspective views of the example docks that may be implemented in the smart weight system.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Exercise is a beneficial activity that may improve physical health and mental health, among others. Exercising with weights may provide further improvements. In some circumstances, acquiring a variety of weights to be used in various exercises may be costly and may require large amounts of space to maintain the various weights.
A smart weight system may provide one or more devices that may include configurable weights such that the smart weight system may be used for many different exercises, regardless of the weight a user may desire for the exercise.
In some circumstances, a smart weight system may improve the user's exercise experience and may contribute to safer conditions while exercising. For example, the smart weight system may assist in selecting a proper weight for use in an exercise based on the user's abilities, the balancing of the weight, improving the user's form while exercising with regard to the weight, etc. Further, the smart weight system may contribute to reducing the amount of space that may be used to house exercise equipment by providing a reconfigurable weight in a uniform form factor.
These and other embodiments of the present disclosure will be explained with reference to the accompanying figures. It is to be understood that the figures are diagrammatic and schematic representations of such example embodiments, and are not limiting, nor are they necessarily drawn to scale. In the figures, features with like numbers indicate like structure and function unless described otherwise.
FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate two embodiments of an example smart weight system 100, in accordance with at least embodiment described in the present disclosure. FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of a kettlebell smart weight system 100 a and FIG. 1B illustrates a perspective view of a dumbbell smart weight system 100 b. The kettlebell smart weight system 100 a and the dumbbell smart weight system 100 b may be referred to generically as the smart weight system 100. The smart weight system 100 may include an adjustable device 105 (e.g., a weight) and a dock 110. For example, the kettlebell smart weight system 100 a may include a kettlebell device 105 a and a kettlebell dock 110 a. The dumbbell smart weight system 100 b may include a first dumbbell device 105 b, a second dumbbell device 105 c, and a dumbbell dock 110 b. The dumbbell smart weight system 100 b is illustrated in FIG. 1B as including two dumbbell devices 105 b-c and a single dumbbell dock 110 b for exemplary purposes. The dumbbell smart weight system 100 b may include one or more dumbbell devices 105 b-c, dumbbell docks 110 b, or some combination thereof. For example, the dumbbell smart weight system 100 b may include one dumbbell devices 105 b and one dumbbell dock 110 b. The kettlebell device 105 a and the dumbbell device 105 b may be referred to generically as the device 105 and the kettlebell dock 110 a and the dumbbell dock 110 b may be referred to generically as the dock 110.
In some embodiments, the kettlebell device 105 a may include a weight body 115 a. For example, the kettlebell device 105 a may include a spherically shaped weight body 115 a, which shape may be the same or similar to a traditional kettlebell. Each of the dumbbell devices 105 b-c may include a cylindrically shaped first weight body 115-1 b that may be joined to a cylindrically shaped second weight body 115-2 b (referred to collectively as the weight bodies 115 b) with a handle 120 b affixed therebetween, which configuration may be the same or similar to a traditional dumbbell. The weight bodies 115 a-b are referred to collectively as weight bodies 115. In some embodiments, the weight bodies 115 may be symmetric across a bisector of the device 105. For example, similar to a traditional kettlebell, the kettlebell device 105 a may be symmetric across a vertical midline, and similar to a traditional dumbbell, the dumbbell device 105 b may be symmetric across a vertical midline as illustrated and discussed in more detail in relation to FIGS. 2A-4B.
In some embodiments, the weight bodies 115 may include hardened, heavy, and/or dense materials. For example, the weight bodies 115 may include metal, polymers (such as plastic), composites, and/or other suitable materials. In some embodiments, the weight bodies 115 may include a surface coating material that may contribute to impact resistance of the weight bodies 115, and/or reduced likelihood of damage from drops to the weight bodies 115 or an object the weight bodies 115 contact, and/or visual aesthetics. For example, the weight bodies 115 may be covered with a polymer, elastomer, rubber, rubber-like materials, and/or other suitable materials.
In some embodiments, the device 105 may be configured to be received in and/or interface with the dock 110. In some embodiments, the dock 110 may be size and shaped to receive the device 105 associated with the dock 110. For example, the kettlebell dock 110 a may be sized and shaped to receive the kettlebell device 105 a and the dumbbell dock 110 b may be sized and shaped to receive the dumbbell device 105 b.
Further details related to the smart weight system 100, including the device 105, the dock 110, additional elements included therein, and/or the interaction between the device 105, the dock 110, and the additional elements, may be described relative to and in conjunction with the subsequent figures.
It will be appreciated that a barbell may also be included as a device 105 in the smart weight system 100. For example, a barbell may be analogous to the dumbbell device 105 b, in that the barbell may include an elongated handle with weights affixed to the ends thereof. In some embodiments, the handle of the barbell may be longer than the handle of the dumbbell device 105 b. Alternatively or additionally, the size of the weight bodies 115 affixed to the ends of a barbell handle may be larger than the size of the weight bodies 115 of the dumbbell device 105 b. For example, the weight bodies 115 associated with a barbell device may be substantially the same shape as the weight bodies 115 b. The weight bodies 115 associated with and the barbell device may be scaled to be larger than the weight bodies 115 b such that a greater weight may be accommodated by the barbell via the weight bodies 115 associated with the barbell device.
In some embodiments, the smart weight system 100 may include a barbell dock associated with the barbell device. In some embodiments, the barbell dock may be analogous in shape to the dumbbell dock 110 b. For example, the barbell dock may be substantially thin and/or flat and may be sized and shaped to receive a barbell device. In some embodiments, the barbell dock may include a unitary device, similar to the dumbbell dock 110 b where the receptacles on the dock 110 that are configured to interface with the weight bodies 115 are attached to a base portion in a uniform device. Alternatively or additionally, the dock 110 associated with a barbell device may include two separate dock members, where each dock member may be configured to interface with one weight body of the weight bodies 115 associated with the barbell device.
In some embodiments, the barbell dock may be configured to include a taller stand portion than the dumbbell dock. For example, the barbell dock may be sized such that the barbell dock may be used in conjunction with a weightlifting bench. The height of the barbell dock may be sized such that the barbell dock may hold the barbell device above the weightlifting bench which may allow a user to position themselves on the weightlifting bench and use the barbell device. Alternatively or additionally, the barbell dock may include one or more mechanisms that may allow the height of the barbell dock to vary. For example, the barbell dock may include hydraulic, electronic, and/or mechanical mechanisms that may be configured to adjust the height of the barbell dock such that the barbell device may be easier to handle in different circumstances (e.g., such as a short height position for a deadlift, a medium height position for a bench press, and a tall height position for a squat).
The device may include an electronic motion capture unit 135. For example, the kettlebell device 105 a may include an electronic motion capture unit 135 a and the dumbbell device 105 b may include electronic motion capture units 135 b-c, generally referred to as electronic motion capture unit 135. The electronic motion capture unit 135 may be configured to capture usage data related to a user's use of the device 105. For example, the electronic motion capture unit 135 may be configured to monitor a speed in which a repetition of the device 105 is performed, an orientation of the device 105 during use, equal distribution of weight between the weight bodies 115, etc.
In some embodiments, the electronic motion capture unit 135 may include one or more inertial measurement units (IMUs). The IMUs may be configured to capture motion in six axes. Alternatively or additionally, the IMUs may be configured to capture motion in nine axes. The electronics motion capture unit 135 may include other components such as wireless communication systems such as but not limited to Bluetooth, offline memory and red green blue (RGB) light emitting diode (LED) display (for communicating battery level and connection status). The electronics motion capture unit 135 may be charged independently or automatically when the device 105 is placed on the dock 110 via wireless charging.
In some embodiments, the electronic motion capture unit 135 may include one or more processing units. The processing unit may be configured to execute instructions stored on any applicable computer-readable storage media. For example, the processor of the electronic motion capture unit 135 may include a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), or any other digital or analog circuitry configured to interpret and/or to execute program instructions and/or to process data.
In some embodiments, the electronic motion capture unit 135 may include a communication module. The communication module may include any device, system, component, or collection of components configured to allow or facilitate communication between the electronic motion capture unit 135 and a remote device. For example, the electronic motion capture unit 135 may include, without limitation, a modem, a network card (wireless or wired), an infrared communication device, an optical communication device, a wireless communication device (such as an antenna), and/or chipset (such as a Bluetooth device which may include Bluetooth Low Energy, a Near-Field Communication device, an 802.6 device (e.g. Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)), a Wi-Fi device, a WiMAX device, cellular communication facilities, etc.), and/or the like. The electronic motion capture unit 135 may permit data to be exchanged with any network such as a cellular network, a Wi-Fi network, a MAN, an optical network, etc., to name a few examples, and/or any other devices which may include devices remote from the electronic motion capture unit 135. In some embodiments, a remote device may include a personal computing device, such as a mobile phone, mobile computer, tablet computer, and/or similar computing devices.
In some embodiments, the electronic motion capture unit 135 may include a battery that may be configured to provide power to the electronic motion capture unit 135. In some embodiments, the battery may be removable from the device 105 and/or from the electronic motion capture unit 135. Alternatively or additionally, the battery may be rechargeable. In some embodiments, the electronic motion capture unit 135 may be configured to recharge the battery using a quick charge device. Alternatively or additionally, the battery may be configured to be recharged using wireless charging. Alternatively or additionally, the battery may be configured to be recharged using kinetic energy.
In some embodiments, the electronic motion capture unit 135 may be configured to obtain usage data associated with the use of the device 105 (e.g., data from the IMUs) and the electronic motion capture unit 135 may be configured to process the usage data to make determinations regarding the user's use of the device 105. Alternatively or additionally, the electronic motion capture unit 135 may be configured to transmit the usage data to a remote device in which the remote device may be configured to process the usage data to make determinations regarding the user's use of the device 105. For example, after obtaining usage data, the electronic motion capture unit 135 may transmit the usage data to a remote device for processing, such as the dock 110, a mobile device (e.g., a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a personal computer, etc.), and/or a cloud-based network system. In some embodiments, the processed usage data may include information related to a recommended weight of the device 105 (e.g., that the user may benefit from a lighter or a heavier device 105), speeding up or slowing down a rate at which a repetition is performed, handling the device 105 in a different orientation during use, etc.
In these and other embodiments, the processed usage data may be delivered to the user. For example, the processed usage data may be sent to a user device and may be displayed in a graphical user interface. The graphical user interface may be located on a mobile phone, a personal computer, a tablet computer, etc. In some embodiments, the processed usage data may be obtained by the user device from the device and/or system which may have performed the processing. For example, in instances in which the usage data is processed by a cloud-based network, the user device may obtain the processed usage data and may display the results to the user in a graphical user interface located thereon.
FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate top views of the kettlebell smart weight system 100 a and the dumbbell smart weight system 100 b, respectively, in accordance with at least one embodiment described in the present disclosure. FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a symmetry of the smart weight system 100, as viewed from a top of the smart weight system 100.
In some embodiments, the kettlebell smart weight system 100 a may include a handle 120 a and the dumbbell smart weight system 100 b may include the handle 120 b, referred to generically as the handle 120. In some embodiments, the handle 120 may be attached to the weight bodies 115. For example, the handle 120 a of the kettlebell smart weight system 100 a may be attached to a lateral and superior portion of the weight body 115 a. In another example, the handle 120 b of the dumbbell smart weight system 100 b may be attached to a central and a medial portion of the first weight body 115-1 b and to a central and a medial portion of the second weight body 115-2 b, such that the handle 120 b may be configured to extend between the first weight body 115-1 b and the second weight body 115-2 b. The handle 120 may permit a user to move the device 105 as a single unit.
In some embodiments, the handle 120 may be located in the smart weight system 100 such that one or more lines of symmetry may be associated with the handle 120. For example, when viewed from the top, the smart weight system 100 may include two or more lines of symmetry. In a first instance, a first line of symmetry 201 a-c may be through a center line running parallel through a midpoint of the handle 120 and the smart weight system 100. In a second instance, a second line of symmetry 203 a-b may be through a center line running perpendicular through a midpoint of the handle 120 and the smart weight system 100.
FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate side views of the kettlebell smart weight system 100 a and the dumbbell smart weight system 100 b, respectively, in accordance with at least one embodiment described in the present disclosure. FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a symmetry of the smart weight system 100, as viewed from a side of the smart weight system 100.
In some embodiments, the symmetry of the smart weight system 100, as viewed from the side, may be an extension of the lines of symmetry as described in relation to FIGS. 2A and 2B. For example, the smart weight system 100 may be symmetric about a line through a center line running parallel 303 a-b through a midpoint of the smart weight system 100. The handle 120 may be arranged such that the smart weight system 100 may be symmetric across a vertical line 301 a-b through the center of the smart weight system 100 and the handle 120.
In some embodiments, the handle 120 may be positioned so as to provide a user a mechanism for holding the smart weight system 100. For example, the handle 120 a of the kettlebell smart weight system 100 a may be positioned such that a channel 305 a may be disposed between the handle 120 a and a top surface of the weight body 115 a. In another example, the handle 120 b of the dumbbell smart weight system 100 b may be disposed between the first weight body 115-1 b and the second weight body 115-2 b such that the handle 120 b may be elevated from a bottom surface of the weight bodies 115 b, which may provide a channel 305 b for the user to hold the dumbbell smart weight system 100 b.
FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate front views of the kettlebell smart weight system 100 a and the dumbbell smart weight system 100 b, respectively, in accordance with at least one embodiment described in the present disclosure. FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a symmetry of the smart weight system 100, as viewed from a front of the smart weight system 100.
In some embodiments, the symmetry of the smart weight system 100, as viewed from the front, may be an extension of the lines of symmetry as described in relation to FIGS. 2A and 2B. For example, the smart weight system 100 may be symmetric about a line 403 a-b through a center line running parallel through a midpoint of the smart weight system 100. As illustrated in the front view of FIG. 4A, the handle 120 a of the kettlebell smart weight system 100 a may be attached to a superior portion the weight body 115 a and may be arranged such that the kettlebell smart weight system 100 a may be symmetric across a vertical line 401 a through the center of the kettlebell smart weight system 100 a and the handle 120 a. As illustrated in the front view of FIG. 4B, the handle 120 b of the dumbbell smart weight system 100 b may not be visible as the handle 120 b may attach to a center portion of the weight bodies 115 b. The dumbbell smart weight system 100 b may be arranged such that the dumbbell smart weight system 100 b may be symmetric across a vertical line 401 b-c through the center of the dumbbell smart weight system 100 b and the handle 120 b.
In some embodiments, the smart weight system 100 may include an open front surface 405 a-c and an open rear surface (not illustrated) opposite the corresponding open front surface 405 a-c. In some embodiments, the open surfaces 405 a-c may facilitate the addition or removal of weights to the smart weight system 100. In some embodiments, the weights disposed within the weight bodies 115 may have a concentric shape. Additional details related to the weights are discussed in relation to FIGS. 6A and 6B.
FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate perspective views of the kettlebell smart weight system 100 a and the dumbbell smart weight system 100 b, respectively, in accordance with at least one embodiment described in the present disclosure. FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate the smart weight system 100 in a docked configuration with the dock 110.
In some embodiments, the dock 110 may be configured to receive the device 105. For example, in instances in which the device 105 is not in use, the device 105 may be placed on the dock 110. In some embodiments, the dock 110 may include shaped receptacles 503 a-e that may be complementary to at least a portion the shape of the device 105. For example, the shaped receptacle 503 a of the kettlebell dock 110 a may include rounded edges that may be sized and shaped to receive the weight body 115 a. In another example, the shaped receptacles 503 b-e of the dumbbell dock 110 b may include a half-pipe-like shape that may be sized and shaped to receive the weight bodies 115 b.
In some embodiments, the dock 110 may include raised portions 501 a-h on the sides of the smart weight system 100 that are not the open surfaces thereof. For example, the kettlebell dock 110 a associated with the kettlebell smart weight system 100 a may include raised portions 501 a-b on ends opposite one another and adjacent to the closed surfaces of the kettlebell device 105 a. In another example, the dumbbell dock 110 b associated with the dumbbell smart weight system 100 b may include raised portions 501 c-h on sides of the weight bodies 115 b, which may not include the open surfaces on the lateral portions of the weight bodies 115 b. In these and other embodiments, the dock 110 may contribute to restricting the movement of the device 105 when the device 105 is seated on the dock 110. For example, the raised portions 501 a-b may prevent movement of the weight body 115 a of the kettlebell smart weight system 100 a. As another example, the raised portions 501 c-h may prevent movement of the weight bodies 115 b of the dumbbell smart weight system 100 b.
In some embodiments, the arrangement of the dock 110 relative to the device 105 when the device 105 is seated on the dock 110 may be such that weights may be added to or removed from the device 105 without obstruction from the raised portions of the dock 110. Additional details related to the weights and the dock are discussed in relation to FIGS. 6A and 6B and FIGS. 9A and 9B, respectively.
In some embodiments, the handle 120 may be attached to a portion of the weight bodies 115. For example, the handle 120 may include flanged ends (not illustrated) that may be used to attach the handle 120 to a portion of the weight bodies 115. Alternatively or additionally, the handle 120 may be integrated with the weight bodies 115. For example, the handle 120 may be formed of the same material as the weight bodies 115 and may include a continuous transition from the weight bodies 115 to the handle 120. Alternatively or additionally, the handle 120 may be affixed to the weight bodies 115, such as with fasteners, various welding processes, and/or other durable attachments processes.
In some embodiments, the flanged ends of the handle 120 may include an interlocking portion (not illustrated) that may be configured to interface with a complementary interlocking portion disposed on the weight bodies. Alternatively or additionally, the flanged ends may be configured to sit flush against the weight bodies 115.
In some embodiments, the handle 120 may include hardened materials that may be suitable for use with heavy objects. For example, the handle 120 may include metal, polymers (such as plastic), composites, and/or other suitable materials. In some embodiments, the material of the handle 120 may be covered with a surface material that may contribute to a softer feel and/or a more comfortable grip with using the device 105. For example, the handle 120 may be covered with foam, elastomer, softened polymer, and/or other suitable materials.
In some embodiments, the handle 120 may include a solid material. For example, the handle 120 may be solid between the two attachment points of the handle 120 to the weight bodies 115. Alternatively or additionally, the handle 120 may include a hollow portion between the two attachment points of the handle 120.
In some embodiments, the hollow portion of the handle 120 may span the length of the handle 120. For example, the handle 120 may be hollow between the two attachment points of the handle 120 to the weight bodies 115. Alternatively or additionally, the hollow portion of the handle 120 may extend through a portion of the handle 120, such that the hollow portion may be sized to house an electronic motion capture unit 135 a-c.
FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate exploded perspective views of the kettlebell smart weight system 100 a and the dumbbell smart weight system 100 b, respectively, in accordance with at least one embodiment described in the present disclosure. The dumbbell smart weight system 100 b is illustrated in FIG. 6B as including a single dumbbell device 105 b for ease of illustration. FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate one or more concentric weights 125 a-b, referred to generally as concentric weights 125, that may be used in conjunction with the smart weight system 100. The kettlebell smart weight system 100 a may include concentric weights 125 a and the dumbbell smart weight system 100 b may include concentric weights 125 b. The concentric weights 125 may selectively attach to the weight bodies 115. The dumbbell smart weight system 100 b is illustrated in FIG. 6B as including a single set of concentric weights 125 a for ease of illustration. The dumbbell smart weight system 100 b may include two or more sets of concentric weights 125 a corresponding to the number of weight bodies 115 b. For example, the dumbbell smart weight system 100 b may include four sets of concentric weights 125 and four weight bodies 115 b.
In some embodiments, the concentric weights 125 may include multiple concentric weight plates 127 a-b, referred to generally as weight plates 127, that may be used to adjust an overall weight of the device 105. In some embodiments, each weight of the weight plates 127 may vary in weight relative to another weight plate 127. For example, the innermost weight plate 127 of the concentric weights 125 may be lighter than the next adjacent weight plate 127 of the concentric weights 125, and so forth. Alternatively or additionally, each weight of the weight plates 127 may be the same or nearly the same weight as the other weight plates 127 of the concentric weights 125.
In some embodiments, the concentric weights 125 may include one or more locking pins (not illustrated) disposed thereon. In some embodiments, the locking pins may be located on a medial surface of the concentric weights 125. For example, the locking pins may be disposed on the concentric weights 125 on a side opposite to the side of the concentric weights 125 that point out and are visible to the user.
In some embodiments, the locking pins may be used in conjunction with a locking mechanism, such as the weight lock mechanism 140 as described in relation to FIGS. 8A and 8B, to secure (e.g., selectively attach) the concentric weights 125 inside the device 105. Alternatively or additionally, the locking pins may be used to guide the concentric weights 125 in position inside the device 105. For example, the locking mechanism inside the device 105 may include one or more receptacles that may be sized and shaped to receive the locking pins such that when the locking pins are received within the receptacles, the associated weight plate(s) 127 may be properly located within the device 105 and selectively attached to the weight body 115.
In some embodiments, the concentric weights 125 may be substantially round to fit within a casing portion of the device 105. Alternatively or additionally, the concentric weights 125 may include one or more notches that may provide a user with a better grip of the concentric weights 125. In some embodiments, the concentric weights 125 may be sized and shaped such that the concentric weights 125 may be interchangeable between various smart weight systems 100. For example, the concentric weights 125 a of the kettlebell smart weight system 100 a may be interchangeable with the concentric weights 125 b of the dumbbell smart weight system 100 b or with the concentric weights of another kettlebell smart weight system 100 a. Alternatively or additionally, the concentric weights 125 may be sized and shaped (which may include unique locking pins) such that the concentric weights 125 may be limited in use to the smart weight system 100 associated with the concentric weights 125. For example, the concentric weights 125 a of the kettlebell smart weight system 100 a may be limited in use to the kettlebell smart weight system 100 a. As another example, the concentric weights 125 b of the dumbbell smart weight system 100 b may be limited in use to the dumbbell smart weight system 100 b.
In some embodiments, the concentric weights 125 may be removable from the device 105 in instances in which the device 105 is located on the dock 110. Alternatively or additionally, the concentric weights 125 may be locked in place in instances in which the device 105 is remote (e.g., removed) from the dock 110.
In some embodiments, the concentric weights 125 may include hardened, heavy, and/or dense materials. For example, the concentric weights 125 may include metal, polymers (such as plastic), composites, and/or other suitable materials. In some embodiments, the concentric weights 125 may include a surface coating material that may contribute to better handling of the concentric weights 125, reduced likelihood of damage from drops to the concentric weights 125 or an object the concentric weights 125 contacts, and/or visual aesthetics. For example, the concentric weights 125 may be covered with a polymer, elastomer, and/or other suitable materials.
FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate perspective views of the kettlebell smart weight system 100 a and the dumbbell smart weight system 100 b, respectively, in accordance with at least one embodiment described in the present disclosure. The dumbbell smart weight system 100 b is illustrated in FIG. 7B as including a single dumbbell device 105 b for ease of illustration. FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate a cavity 130 a-b of the smart weight system 100. The weight bodies 115 may define the cavities 130 a-b, referred to generally as cavity 130. For example, the weights body 115 a of the kettlebell smart weight system 100 a may define the cavity 130 a. As another example, the weight bodies 115 b of the dumbbell smart weight system 100 b may define the cavity 130 b. The cavity 130 may be used to house at least the concentric weights 125 in conjunction with the smart weight system 100.
The weight bodies 115 may include a casing in which an outer surface of the casing defines the shape of the device 105 and an inner surface of the casing defines the shape and size of the cavity 130. In some embodiments, the cavity 130 may be sized and shaped to receive and/or retain one or more of the concentric weights 125. Alternatively or additionally, the cavity 130 may be sized and shaped to receive and/or retain a weight locking mechanism. Additional details related to the weight locking mechanism are discussed in relation to FIGS. 8A and 8B.
In some embodiments, the shape of the device 105 may remain uniform regardless of the total amount of weight of the device 105 and/or the number of the concentric weights 125 that may be included therein. For example, the kettlebell device 105 a when including two attached concentric weights 125 may be the same size and/or shape as the kettlebell device 105 a when including zero attached concentric weights 125. As another example, the dumbbell device 105 b when including three attached concentric weights 125 may be the same size and/or shape as the dumbbell device 105 b when including one attached concentric weight 125. In some embodiments, the cavity 130 may be sized and shaped to house the electronic motion capture units 135 a-c.
FIG. 8A illustrates a perspective view of an example weight lock mechanism 140 that may be implemented in the smart weight system 100, in accordance with at least one embodiment described in the present disclosure.
In some embodiments, the weight lock mechanism 140 may be sized and shaped to be placed within the cavity 130 of the weight bodies 115. In some embodiments, the weight lock mechanism 140 may be retained (e.g., attached) within the cavity 130 using screws, dowels, and/or any other appropriate fasteners. In some embodiments, the weight lock mechanism 140 may be configured to interface with the concentric weights 125, which may include holding and/or selectively attaching the concentric weights 125 in position while in use and releasing the concentric weights 125 as desired when the device 105 is located at the dock 110.
In some embodiments, the weight lock mechanism 140 may include one or more subcomponents that may function in concert to receive and retain the concentric weights 125. Additional details related to the subcomponents of the weight lock mechanism 140 are discussed relative to FIG. 8B.
FIG. 8B illustrates an exploded perspective view of the weight lock mechanism 140 that may be implemented in the smart weight system 100, in accordance with at least one embodiment described in the present disclosure.
In some embodiments, the weight lock mechanism 140 may include a weight interface 145, which may be the front surface of the weight lock mechanism 140. The weight interface 145 may be configured to selectively attach to (e.g., interface with) the concentric weights 125. For example, the weight interface 145 may define one or more receptacles 801 configured to receive the locking pins from the concentric weights 125. In FIG. 8B, a single receptacle is denoted as 801 to illustrate an example receptacle and for ease of illustration.
Alternatively or additionally, the weight interface 145 may include a tiered surface, such as arranged in rings 803 a-c, which may be associated with different sizes of weights of the concentric weights 125. For example, an outermost weight of the concentric weights 125 may be configured to contact an outer ring 803 a of the weight interface 145, and so forth.
In some embodiments, the weight interface 145 may include hardened, heavy, and/or dense materials. For example, the weight interface 145 may include metal, polymers (such as plastic), composites, and/or other suitable materials. In some embodiments, the weight interface 145 may include a surface coating material. For example, the weight interface 145 may be covered with a polymer, elastomer, and/or other suitable materials.
In some embodiments, one or more locking disks 150 may be disposed adjacent to the weight interface 145, such that the weight interface 145 may be located between the locking disks 150 and the concentric weights 125 (when selectively attached to the weight interface 145). In some embodiments, the locking disks 150 may be configured to interface with the locking pins of the concentric weights 125 such that the concentric weights 125 may be restricted from separating from the weight interface 145. For example, the locking disks 150 may be configured to tighten against the locking pins of the concentric weights 125 which may hold the locking pins in place through the weight interface 145.
In some embodiments, the locking disks 150 may be configured to actuate rotationally about an axis 805 through the center of the weight lock mechanism 140. Alternatively or additionally, the locking disks 150 may be configured to actuate linearly. In these and other embodiments, the actuation of the locking disks 150 may contribute to restricting the locking pins within the weight interface 145. In some embodiments, the actuation of the locking disks 150 may be caused by one or more springs (not illustrated) creating tension in instances in which the device 105 is not located on the dock 110. In some embodiments, additional securing mechanisms may be used to contribute to securing the locking pins. For example, in instances in which the device 105 is not located on the dock 110, circlips, grub screws, and/or other fasteners may be used to contribute securing the locking pins in place.
In some embodiments, each weight of the concentric weights 125 may be associated with a locking disk of the locking disks 150. For example, the innermost concentric weight 125 may be associated with a locking disk of the locking disks 150 and the outermost concentric weight 125 may be associated with a different locking disk of the locking disks 150. Alternatively, the locking disks 150 may be configured such that one locking disk 150 may be associated with all of the concentric weights 125. For example, the locking disks 150 may include a single tiered structure such that different tiers of the locking disks 150 may be configured to associate with different locking pins of the concentric weights 125. Alternatively or additionally, the locking disks 150 may be combined with an unlocking disk 155 as described below. The unlocking disk 155 may cause the locking and unlocking of the concentric weights 125 to be performed by a single actuating unit.
In some embodiments, the locking disks 150 may include hardened, heavy, and/or dense materials. For example, the locking disks 150 may include metal, polymers (such as plastic), composites, and/or other suitable materials. In some embodiments, the locking disks 150 may include a surface coating material. For example, the locking disks 150 may be covered with a polymer, elastomer, and/or other suitable materials.
In some embodiments, the weight lock mechanism 140 may include the unlocking disk 155. The unlocking disk 155 may be arranged such that the locking disks 150 may be located between the unlocking disk 155 and the weight interface 145. In some embodiments, the unlocking disk 155 may be configured to actuate the locking disks 150.
In some embodiments, the unlocking disk 155 may include hardened, heavy, and/or dense materials. For example, the unlocking disk 155 may include metal, polymers (such as plastic), composites, and/or other suitable materials. In some embodiments, the unlocking disk 155 may include a surface coating material. For example, the unlocking disk 155 may be covered with a polymer, elastomer, and/or other suitable materials.
In some embodiments, the weight lock mechanism 140 may include a back plate 160. The back plate 160 may be arranged such that the locking disks 150, the unlocking disk 155, a bearing 165, or some combination thereof may be located between the weight interface 145 and the back plate 160. In some embodiments, the back plate 160 may be configured to be attached to the weight bodies 115. For example, the back plate 160 may include receptacles, dowels, pins, threads, or any appropriate fastening mechanisms that may be complementary to fastening mechanisms of the weight bodies 115, such that the back plate 160 may be attached to the weight bodies 115, such as within the cavity 130 thereof.
In some embodiments, the back plate 160 may include hardened, heavy, and/or dense materials. For example, the back plate 160 may include metal, polymers (such as plastic), composites, and/or other suitable materials. In some embodiments, the back plate 160 may include a surface coating material. For example, the back plate 160 may be covered with a polymer, elastomer, and/or other suitable materials.
In some embodiments, the bearing 165 may be disposed in the weight lock mechanism 140 which may contribute to the operation of the rotational or linear actuation of the components therein. In some embodiments, the bearing 165 may be located in and/or between the weight interface 145 and the back plate 160. In some embodiments, the bearing 165 may include a rotational or a linear bearing which may be associated with the actuation motion of the weight lock mechanism 140.
FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate perspective views of the kettlebell dock 110 a of the kettlebell smart weight system 100 a and the dumbbell dock 110 b of the dumbbell smart weight system 100 b, respectively, in accordance with at least one embodiment described in the present disclosure.
In some embodiments, the dock 110 may be configured to receive and/or interface with the associated device 105. For example, the kettlebell dock 110 a may be configured to receive and/or interface with the kettlebell device 105 a and the dumbbell dock 110 b may be configured to receive and/or interface with the dumbbell device 105 b. As discussed, relative to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the dock 110 may include shaped receptacles 503 a-e that may be complementary to the shape of the device 105. In some embodiments, the shape of the receptacles 503 a-e may be configured to guide the device 105 into a proper resting position. The proper resting position may include the device 105 interfacing with one or more unlocking cams 170 a-b, referred to generally as unlocking cams 170, disposed on the dock 110.
The unlocking cams 170 may be disposed within the receptacles 503 a-e. In some embodiments, the unlocking cams 170 may be configured to interface with the unlocking disk 155, such that the unlocking disk 155 may be configured to unlock the concentric weights 125 which may allow the concentric weights 125 to be removed from the device 105 when the device 105 is docked with the dock 110. For example, the unlocking cams 170 may be configured to actuate the unlocking disk 155 rotationally or linearly, depending on the implementation of the weight lock mechanism 140, such that the springs associated with the actuation of the locking disks 150 may disengage and the concentric weights 125 may be selectively attached (e.g., added) to or selectively removed from the device 105. In these and other embodiments, the unlocking cams 170 may interface with the device 105, such as with the unlocking disk 155, in instances in which the device 105 is docked with the dock 110 (e.g., located on the dock 110). For example, the weight bodies 115 may define a receptacle on a bottom portion thereof, such that the unlocking cams 170 may interface with the unlocking disk 155 through the receptacle when the device 105 is docked on the dock 110.
In some embodiments, the dock 110 may include one or more displays 901 a-b, referred to generally as display 901. For example, the dock 110 may include an LED display, a liquid crystal display (LCD), an E-ink display, an organic-LED (OLED) display, a thin film transistor (TFT)-LCD display, or any other appropriate display. In some embodiments, the display 901 may be curved. The display 901 may also display other information such as but not limited to a battery level of the dock 110 and or the electronic motion capture unit 135, communication system related information, alerts related working, firmware versions of various connected electronics, a product Sub-Category, or some combination thereof.
FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate exploded perspective views of the kettlebell dock 110 a of the kettlebell smart weight system 100 a and the dumbbell dock 110 b of the dumbbell smart weight system 100 b, respectively, in accordance with at least one embodiment described in the present disclosure.
In some embodiments, the dock 110 may include weight sensing electronics 1001 a-h, referred to generally as weight sensing electronics 1001. For example, the kettlebell dock 110 a may include the weight sensing electronics 1001 a-d physically positioned proximate a bottom surface of the kettlebell dock 110 a. As another example, the dumbbell dock 110 b may include the weight sensing electronics 1001 e-h physically positioned between a bottom portion 1009 of dumbbell dock 110 b and the unlocking cams 170 b.
The weight sensing electronics 1001 may determine the weight of the device 105 while the device 105 is docked on the dock 110. In some embodiments, the weight sensing electronics 1001 may include force sensors, such as load cells and/or proximity sensors, to determine the weight of the device 105 docked on the dock 110. For example, the weight sensing electronics 1001 may include strain-gauge load cells, piezoelectric load cells, inductive load cells, capacitive load cells, magneto strictive load cells, and/or other load cells or force sensors. In some embodiments, the display 901 may be associated with the weight sensing electronics 1001. The display 901 may display the weight of the device 105 as determined by the weight sensing electronics 1001.
As illustrated in FIG. 10A, the kettlebell dock 110 a may form a cam recess 1007 a that is shaped and positioned to mate with the unlocking cam 170 a. The cam recess 1007 a may mate with the unlocking cam 170 a to prevent the unlocking cam 170 a from moving relative the kettlebell dock 110 a.
As illustrated in FIG. 10B, the dumbbell dock 110 b may include the bottom portion 1009, a top portion 1011, and a display housing 1003. The top portion 1011 may define a display opening 1005 and cam recesses 1007 b-e. The cam recesses 1007 b-e may mate with the unlocking cams 170 b, the weight sensing electronics 1001, or some combination thereof. The display opening 1005 may mate with the display 901 b, the display housing 1003, or some combination thereof. The top portion 1011 may mate with the bottom portion 1009 and the display housing 1003 to sandwich the display 901 b between the top portion 1011 and the display housing 1003. When the dumbbell dock 110 b is put together, the display 901 b may be physically positioned within at least a portion of the display opening 1005. In addition, the cam recesses 1007 b-e may mate with the unlocking cams 170 b to prevent the unlocking cams 170 b from moving relative the dumbbell dock 110 b.
Terms used herein and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including, but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes, but is not limited to,” etc.).
Additionally, if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations.
In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, it is understood that such recitation should be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” or “one or more of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended to include A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B, and C together, etc. For example, the use of the term “and/or” is intended to be construed in this manner.
Further, any disjunctive word or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” should be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
Additionally, the use of the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., are not necessarily used herein to connote a specific order or number of elements. Generally, the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., are used to distinguish between different elements as generic identifiers. Absence a showing that the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., connote a specific order, these terms should not be understood to connote a specific order. Furthermore, absence a showing that the terms first,” “second,” “third,” etc., connote a specific number of elements, these terms should not be understood to connote a specific number of elements. For example, a first widget may be described as having a first side and a second widget may be described as having a second side. The use of the term “second side” with respect to the second widget may be to distinguish such side of the second widget from the “first side” of the first widget and not to connote that the second widget has two sides.
All examples and conditional language recited herein are intended for pedagogical objects to aid the reader in understanding the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventor to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail, it should be understood that the various changes, substitutions, and alterations could be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A weight system comprising:

a concentric weight plate;

a weight body defining a cavity;

a locking mechanism disposed within the cavity, the locking mechanism configured to selectively attach the concentric weight plate to the weight body; and

a handle coupled to the weight body and configured to permit a user to move the weight system as a single unit.

2. The weight system of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism is configured to physically position the concentric weight plate within the cavity.

3. The weight system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of concentric weight plates comprising the concentric weight plate, wherein the locking mechanism is configured to selectively attach at least a portion of the concentric weight plates to the weight body.

4. The weight system of claim 3, wherein each concentric weight plate of the plurality of concentric weight plates comprises a different size of weight.

5. The weight system of claim 3, wherein a shape of the weight body remains uniform when a portion of the plurality of concentric weight plates are attached to the weight body and when each concentric weight plate of the plurality of concentric weight plates are attached to the weight body.

6. The weight system of claim 1, wherein the weight body comprises a surface coating configured to increase impact resistance of the weight body.

7. The weight system of claim 1 further comprising electronic motion capture unit configured to capture usage data related to use of the weight system by the user.

8. The weight system of claim 1 wherein:

the weight body comprises a casing comprising an outer surface and an inner surface; and

the outer surface defines a shape of the weight body and the inner surface defines the cavity.

9. The weight system of claim 1 further comprising a locking pin, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a front surface that defines a receptacle configured to receive the locking pin to selectively attach the concentric weight plate to the weight body.

10. The weight system of claim 9 further comprising a plurality of concentric weight plates comprising the concentric weight plate, wherein:

the front surface further includes a tiered surface comprising a plurality of tiers; and

each tier of the plurality of tiers is configured to selectively attach a different concentric weight plate of the plurality of concentric weight plates.

11. The weight system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of concentric weight plates comprising the concentric weight plate, wherein:

the locking mechanism comprises a plurality of locking disks; and

each locking disk of the plurality of locking disks is associated with a different concentric weight plate of the plurality of concentric weight plates.

12. The weight system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of concentric weight plates comprising the concentric weight plate, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a locking disk associated with each concentric weight plate of the plurality of concentric weight plates.

13. The weight system of claim 12 further comprising an unlocking cam, wherein the locking mechanism comprises an unlocking disk configured to interface with the unlocking cam to actuate the locking disk to selectively remove at least a portion of the plurality of concentric weight plates.

14. The weight system of claim 1, wherein the weight system comprises a kettlebell weight system, a dumbbell weight system, a barbell weight system, or some combination thereof.

15. A weight system comprising:

a plurality of concentric weight plates;

a weight body defining a cavity;

a locking mechanism disposed within the cavity, the locking mechanism comprising a front surface that defines a receptacle and the locking mechanism is configured to selectively attach at least a portion of the plurality of concentric weight plates to the weight body within the cavity;

a handle coupled to the weight body and configured to permit a user to move the weight system as a single unit;

a locking pin configured to interface with the receptacle to selectively attach the concentric weight plate to the weight body; and

a dock sized and shaped to receive the weight body.

16. The weight system of claim 15, wherein a shape of the weight body remains uniform when a portion of the plurality of concentric weight plates are attached to the weight body and when each concentric weight plate of the plurality of concentric weight plates are attached to the weight body.

17. The weight system of claim 15 further comprising electronic motion capture unit configured to capture usage data related to use of the weight system by the user.

18. The weight system of claim 15, wherein:

19. The weight system of claim 15, wherein:

the locking mechanism comprises a plurality of locking disks; and

20. The weight system of claim 15 further comprising an unlocking cam coupled to the dock, wherein the locking mechanism comprises an unlocking disk configured to interface with the unlocking cam to selectively attach the at least a portion of the plurality of concentric weight plates.