Exercise Hand Weight

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of German Application 20 2024 103 430.9, filed Jun. 25, 2024, of German Application 20 2025 100 166.7, filed Jan. 15, 2025, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The invention relates to an exercise hand weight in the sense of a piece of sports equipment for performing sports exercises, in particular an exercise hand weight that can be carried and guided with one hand.

In practice, dumbbells are known. These usually consist of a straight, cylindrical bar that can be gripped in a middle section, with individual weight rings that can be attached to either side of the grip area. This design allows for the total mass to be changed quickly and the weight rings to be securely attached. However, the bar possesses considerable length and always protrudes beyond the weight rings. When performing exercises involving complex movements, athletes run the risk of colliding with the protruding ends of the bar. This can disrupt the movement or cause injury.

On the other hand, there is a known exercise hand weight with a generally fixed usable weight and a weight body that is essentially spherical or ball-shaped, with a handle that is curved into a C-shape on one side (kettlebell). Kettlebells have a center of gravity that lies outside the handle, so that the kettlebell would swing around the handle during complex movements. For this reason, kettlebells are generally only used for simple lifting movements. When performing complex movements, the swinging would be perceived as disruptive. On the other hand, the swinging weight could also lead to accidental collisions or injuries.

US 343 433 S and JPH11216188 A each disclose a ring-shaped exercise hand weight with a handle made of a solid material and an arc section made of a solid material. The arc section protrudes to one side of the handle. There is no compensating counterweight on the opposite side. The overall center of gravity lies in the open area between the handle and the curved section.

An object of the present invention is to provide an exercise hand weight that is better suited for sports exercises with potentially complex movements, like aerobics or dance. A complex body movement can include translating the exercise hand weight in space, especially in at least two directions. Furthermore, a complex body movement can include a rotational movement of the exercise hand weight, particularly a rotation around the extension direction of the user's forearm.

The invention attains this object through features of this disclosure.

The invention relates to an exercise hand weight with a weight body section and a grip section. The weight body section constitutes a substantial part of the payload of the exercise hand weight. The grip section serves to enable the user to grip and guide the exercise hand weight. It may also form part of the payload of the exercise hand weight.

Depending on the embodiment, the exercise hand weight can be made of one or more parts. In particular, the weight body section and the grip section can be configured as sections of the same body or as separate bodies.

The exercise hand weight is configured specifically for single-handed use. It is a piece of sports equipment.

The mass distribution of the exercise hand weight is configured so that the center of gravity of the payload is located in the grip section.

The grip section is gripped in a handle opening in a gripping direction with the user's hand. This allows the exercise hand weight to be easily gripped by gripping the center of gravity of the entire payload, which facilitates use. The user's hand exerts holding and guiding forces on the exercise hand weight. These forces act on the outer contour of the grip section. The center of gravity of the payload is located within the points of application of these acting forces. Acceleration applied by the hand movement thus acts in close proximity to the center of gravity, so that the movement of the exercise hand weight mass follows the hand movement with particularly low moments of inertia. Furthermore, the user's grip does not have to support any static tilting moment, as would be expected with an external center of gravity. Likewise, the exercise hand weight does not tend to swing around the grip section during acceleration. This facilitates handling and enables complex movements during training, preventing fatigue in the hand and arm muscles.

In other words, a stabilizing effect is achieved and/or the moment of inertia around the grip section is reduced, which facilitates improved control of the exercise hand weight during the performance of sports exercises.

The weight body section can be connected to the grip section in any detachable or non-detachable manner. The grip section is connected to the inner contour of the kidney shape with the two lengthwise ends of the grip section, which supports a central center of gravity of the payload and allows the center of gravity to be securely grasped. This supports precise and safe guidance of the exercise hand weight and can reduce the risk of accidental collision with the user's body.

The weight body section is curved in a kidney shape. The kidney shape is chosen so that the (partial) center of gravity of the mass of the weight body section lies in an interior space defined by an inner contour of the kidney shape. This allows for a compact design with a reduced interfering structure compared to the dumbbell, which compact design allows for a more varied range of sports exercises. On the other hand, the grip section can be arranged in the interior space and in the area of the (partial) center of gravity of the weight body section.

The center of gravity (also known as the center of mass or center of weight) is the mass-weighted average of the positions of the parts of the payload. The payload can include a kidney-shaped weight body section and, in some cases, the grip section. The kidney-shaped weight body section comprises a plurality of mass-bearing parts, particularly a first end section, a middle section, and a second end section. The first end section, the middle section, and the second end section can be arranged in an arched shape around the intended position of the hand.

In the intended gripping position, the middle section can be located in the gripping direction in front of the fingers. In the intended gripping position, the first end section can be located above the thumb and extend to the wrist in the opposite direction to the gripping direction. In the intended gripping position, the second end section can be located below the little finger and extend to the wrist in the opposite direction to the gripping direction.

The first end section may have a partial center of gravity which, in the intended gripping position, lies above the thumb and, in particular, lies between the course of the finger joint and the wrist in the direction opposite to the gripping direction, and further in particular above the ball of the thumb. The middle section may have a first partial center of gravity which, in the intended gripping position, lies in front of the fingers in the gripping direction. The second end section may have a partial center of gravity which, in the intended gripping position, lies below the little finger and, in particular, behind the course of the finger joint in the direction opposite to the gripping direction.

The mass of the first end section may preferably be greater than the mass of the second end section. A volume of the first end section may preferably be greater than a volume of the second end section.

The average position of these parts, weighted by the mass of the respective part of the weight (center of mass), lies in the grip section, in particular in the intended gripping position closer to the thumb than to the little finger.

A partial center of gravity of a handle, which in particular forms the grip section, is preferably located within the grip section.

Preferably, the first end section, the middle section and the second end section lie in a common plane, in particular in the middle plane of the grip section or in the base plane. Preferably, a partial center of gravity of the first end section, a partial center of gravity of the middle section, and a partial center of gravity of the second end section lie in a common plane, in particular in the middle plane of the gripping section or in the base plane.

The (total) center of gravity of the payload can correspond to the center position of the partial centers of gravity weighted by the respective mass.

The aforementioned features of the kidney-shaped weight body apply preferably to at least one kidney-shaped additional weight, particularly preferably to a first kidney-shaped additional weight which can be arranged on a first side of the weight body, and to a second kidney-shaped additional weight which can be arranged on a second, in particular opposite, side of the weight body. The arrangement/orderability of the first additional weight and the second additional weight is preferably adjacent to one side of the middle plane of the grip section/to one side of the base plane.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the claims, the following description and the accompanying drawings.

The invention is illustrated in the drawings in an exemplary and schematic manner. The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated.

Referring to the drawings,shows a preferred embodiment of an exercise hand weight () according to the present disclosure. The exercise hand weight () is shown in a preferred embodiment, which is not limiting. In the illustration, the exercise hand weight () comprises a grip section () and a weight body section () curved in a kidney shape (). Furthermore, the exercise hand weight () comprises a plurality of additional weights (,), in particular a first additional weight () which is arrangeable or arranged on one side of the weight body section ().

illustrates a plurality of planes shown in a side view of the exercise hand weight (). The grip section () can define a middle plane (M) which can correspond in particular to a middle plane of the closed grip of the user's hand (). The weight body section () can define a base plane (A). The mass distribution of the weight body section can preferably be symmetrical to this base plane (A).

A preferred design provides for the middle plane (M) and the base plane (A) to coincide. Alternatively, the middle plane (M) and the base plane (A) may be offset or tilted relative to each other by a tolerance dimension. Alternatively or additionally, the relative position of the middle plane (M) and the base plane (A) may be adjustable.

A first additional weight () can preferably be arranged or is arranged in a first offset plane (B) as shown in the combined view of, and a second additional weight () can preferably be arranged or is arranged in a second offset plane (C). The first and second offset planes (B, C) are preferably arranged on both sides of the base plane (A) of the exercise hand weight () and preferably aligned parallel to the base plane (A). Alternatively, a different relative relationship is possible. In particular, the first offset plane (B) and/or the second offset plane (C) may have a tilt angle relative to the base plane (A).

The second additional weight () may preferably be configured to correspond to the first additional weight (). The first additional weight () may preferably be arrangeable or arranged on one side of the weight body section () and the second additional weight () on the other side of the weight body section ().

A first additional weight () and a second additional weight () preferably form a group, in particular an additional weight pair, wherein the mass within this additional weight pair is preferably distributed equally between the first additional weight () and the second additional weight (), in particular symmetrically with respect to an intermediate plane between the arrangement positions of the first additional weight () and the second additional weight (), and further in particular symmetrically with respect to the middle plane (M) and/or the base plane (A).

The symmetrical arrangement or arrangability ensures that the common center of gravity of the first and second additional weights (,) lies in the intermediate plane, in particular the middle plane (M) and/or the base plane (A). In other words, the common center of gravity of the first and second additional weights (,) also lies in the intended arrangement position in the grip section ().

In the example shown in, a first group of additional weights with a lower mass and a second group of additional weights with a higher mass are provided. In other words, the exercise hand weight () may preferably comprise at least one group of first and second additional weights (,), and more preferably at least two or three groups of additional weights. Within a group, symmetrical mass distribution may preferably be provided. In other words, a first additional weight () and a correspondingly configured second additional weight () may be provided in each group.

preferentially illustrate embodiments of a gripping section (). The gripping section () has a main extension between the first lengthwise end () and the second lengthwise end (). In addition, the gripping section () can have any shape, in particular any cross-sectional shape. The cross-sectional shape can be circular, at least in sections.

According to a preferred embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the grip section () deviates from a circular shape, preferably in a predominant area along the main extension.

The main extension of the gripping section () defines a first direction (x). This first direction (x) is preferably collinear or parallel to the middle plane (M) of the gripping section. A second direction (y) preferably extends in the middle plane (M) or parallel to the middle plane (M) and is perpendicular to the first direction (x). The first direction (x) can be designated as the main direction of the gripping section () and the second direction (y) as the cross direction of the gripping section ().

Perpendicular to the first and second directions (x, y), there is a third direction (z), which is exemplary shown inand which may be designated as the normal direction. The at least one offset plane (B, C) is preferably offset along the third direction/normal direction (z) relative to the base plane (A) and/or the middle plane (M).

The cross-sectional shape of the grip section () may preferably have a greater extension in the cross direction/second direction (y) than in the normal direction (z). This facilitates a firm grip of the grip section () by the user's hand (). The cross-sectional shape may preferably be essentially rectangular or elliptical.

The grip section is preferably configured to be as wide as a hand's width along the main extension. This may comprise an average width of a hand () of an intended user (man, woman, child), possibly plus a tolerance. A hand-width wide design allows the exercise hand weight () to be gripped with one hand and at the same time ensures that the exercise hand weight () has a compact overall footprint. In other words, the hand-width wide design helps to avoid interfering contours and reduces the moment of inertia. This makes the exercises easier to perform. The width of the grip section () can preferably be 8-13 cm, in particular 10 cm.

The curvature of the kidney shape () is preferably located in the base plane (A). It may in particular be located predominantly or completely in the base plane (A).

In other words, the curvature of the kidney shape () surrounds an interior space () in a curved form. The curved distribution of mass of the weight body section () resulting from the kidney shape () reduces the moment of inertia. This makes the exercise hand weight () easy to grip, facilitating use.

The kidney shape () preferably has a first end section (), a middle section () and a second end section () in the circumferential direction of the curvature/bend. Preferably, the first end section (), the middle section () and the second end section () are configured to comprise a mass. The mass distribution between the first end section (), the middle section () and the second end section () can be selected arbitrarily. Preferably, one of the end sections, in particular the second end section (), can be configured for arrangement close to the thumb. The other end section, in particular the first end section (), can be provided for arrangement away from the thumb.

A thumb-near or thumb-far arrangement can be defined or specified in any way, for example by visual marking and/or by a shape that is intuitively understandable to the user.

A preferred embodiment provides that the main extension of the grip section () is tilted relative to a gripping direction (E).shows a tilt angle (k) defined between the first direction (x) and the second direction (y). The value of the tilt angle (k) can be chosen arbitrarily. It preferably deviates from a right angle. The tilt angle (k) can preferably be between 105 and 115 degrees, preferably between 95 and 105 degrees.

A thumb-close arrangement may be preferred on the side of the tilt angle (k). This corresponds to the natural shape of the grip of a human hand (). This is due to the spatial extension of the handle generally following a line of the course of the finger joint (), which, in a normal position of the hand (), i.e. without bending the wrist, is generally tilted at a corresponding angle relative to the forearm extension ().

Preferably, the mass distribution can be selected such that the mass proportion of the end section close to the thumb, in particular the second end section (), is greater in relation to the mass proportion of the end section far from the thumb, in particular the first end section (). This favors an arrangement of the center of gravity(S) of the payload slightly offset from the middle. The offset from the middle position of the center of gravity(S) is preferably provided in relation to the main extension of the grip section () with approximation to the intended arrangement of the thumb. It has been shown that this provides the user of the exercise hand weight () with a more comfortable grip, which accommodates the asymmetrical distribution of the hand forces. The center of gravity(S) can be provided in particular in a position along the main extension of the grip section () which corresponds to the intended position of the index finger or a transition from the index finger to the ring finger.

The kidney shape () of the weight body section () and/or an additional weight (,) can be delimited physically in any manner.

A preferred embodiment provides that the kidney shape () is delimited at an outer boundary contour () by a border, where a rounded edge () may preferably be provided. In other words, the border or rounded edge () is configured to prevent injury. This helps to avoid or reduce the risk of injury in the event of collisions with the user's body and/or other damage in the event of collisions with external objects.

Alternatively or additionally, the kidney shape () may have a rounded edge () on an inner contour () which delimits the interior space (). This facilitates injury-free access to the interior space () by the hand ().