DUMBBELL

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/717,455, filed on November 7, 2024, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

[0002] The disclosure is related to an adjustable dumbbell system that includes a dumbbell assembly and a cradle assembly that retains the dumbbell assembly therein.

BACKGROUND

[0003] This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

[0004] Dumbbells are a type of free weight. Due to their effectiveness and versatility, users including both amateur and professional athletes may use dumbbells during weight training or while performing other exercises. In recent years, functional fitness has increased in popularity, resulting in users using dumbbells in increasingly different ways. For example, a user may perform dumbbell front squats, where the user rests one dumbbell on each shoulder. Different users place the dumbbells in different places on their shoulders, to improve comfort and/or performance during the exercise. For example, a user may place one head of the dumbbell in either a horizontal or vertical orientation on their shoulder. Another user may rest the handle of the dumbbell on their shoulder so that the two heads of the dumbbell surround the shoulder in the anterior/posterior directions. Cradles may retain the dumbbells therein, such that the users remove the dumbbells from the cradles to exercise, and return the dumbbells to the cradle after completing the exercises.

[0005] The present disclosure may solve one or more of the problems set forth in the art. However, the appended claims, rather than the ability to solve any specific problem, define the scope of the current disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The embodiments may be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the embodiments. Moreover, in the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.

[0007]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dumbbell system including an adjustable dumbbell assembly and a cradle assembly, in accordance with some aspects of the disclosure.

[0008]FIG. 2 is a side view of the dumbbell system of FIG. 1, in accordance with some aspects of the disclosure.

[0009]FIG. 3 is a detail bottom view of the dumbbell system of FIG. 1, in accordance with some aspects of the disclosure.

[0010]FIG. 4A is a perspective front view of an outer weight of the adjustable dumbbell assembly of FIG. 1, in accordance with some aspects of the disclosure.

[0011]FIG. 4B is perspective back view of the outer weight of FIG. 4A, in accordance with some aspects of the disclosure.

[0012]FIG. 5 is an exploded front view of a portion of the dumbbell system of FIG. 1, in accordance with some aspects of the disclosure.

[0013]FIG. 6 is an exploded front view similar to FIG. 5, with a partial cross-section through the outer weight of the adjustable dumbbell assembly, in accordance with some aspects of the disclosure.

[0014]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of the dumbbell system of FIG. 1, with an end portion of the cradle assembly removed, in accordance with some aspects of the disclosure.

[0015]FIG. 8 is a detail bottom view of the dumbbell assembly of FIG. 1, in accordance with some aspects of the disclosure.

[0016]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the dumbbell system including a different number of weights than in FIG. 1, in accordance with some aspects of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] The description now describes exemplary embodiments more fully, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The description provides exemplary embodiments so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. The description sets forth numerous specific details, such as examples of specific components, devices, or methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It is apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that exemplary embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, device structures, or technologies are not described in detail.

[0018] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.

[0019] When an element or layer is described as “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected, or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is described as “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening element or layer present. Other words used to describe relationships between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0020] Although ordinal numerical terms such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, as a matter of convenience, and thus these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or section from another element, component, region, layer, or section. Further, the numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context, and the numerical terms are interchangeable. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer, or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of the exemplary embodiments.

[0021] Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “intermediate,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “left,” “right,” “side,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” may encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

[0022] In the discussion that follows, the terms “about,” “approximately,” “substantially,” and the like, when used in describing a numerical value, denote a variation of +/- 10% of that value, unless specified otherwise.

[0023]With reference to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a dumbbell system 100 (referred to as the system 100) including an adjustable dumbbell assembly 20 (referred to as the dumbbell assembly 20) retained in a cradle assembly 60; FIG. 2 shows a side view of the system 100, including the dumbbell assembly 20 and the cradle assembly 60; and FIG. 3 is a detail bottom view of the dumbbell system 100 of FIG. 1, in accordance with some aspects of the disclosure. In some instances, a user, such as an athlete, may remove the dumbbell assembly 20 from the cradle assembly 60, so that the user may perform one more exercises with the dumbbell assembly 20. After the user completes the one or more exercises, the user may return the dumbbell assembly 20 to the cradle assembly 60, thereby storing the dumbbell assembly 20 on or within the cradle assembly 60.

[0024]As FIGS. 1-3 illustrate, the dumbbell assembly 20 may include a handle assembly 30 and a plurality of removable weights 40 (referred to as the weights 40) retained, held, disposed, installed, positioned, located, or otherwise on the handle assembly 30. As further described, a total weight or mass of the dumbbell assembly 20 during the one or more exercises may include a weight or mass of the handle assembly 30 and well as the weights or masses of all or a subset of the weights 40 that the handle assembly 30 retains thereon. As FIGS. 1-3 illustrate, and as further described below, in some instances the dumbbell assembly 20 includes two (2) sets of the weights 40, one set on each side of the handle assembly 30, each set of the weights 40 including, for example, three (3) intermediate weights 41, between one (1) inner weight 42 and one (1) outer weight 43.

[0025] The cradle assembly 60 may include two (2) end portions 61 opposite one another, as well as two (2) side portions 63 opposite one another and extending between the end portions 61. The end portions 61 and the side portions 63 may define a partially closed volume to retain therein the dumbbell assembly 20, from which a user may remove the dumbbell assembly 20 to perform one of more exercises, and to which the user may return the dumbbell assembly 20 after the completion of the exercises. In some instances, the weights 40 may contact the side portions 63 when the cradle assembly 60 retains the dumbbell assembly 20 therein, such that the side portions 63 support the weights 40 and thus the dumbbell assembly 20. In some instances, components of the cradle assembly 60, such as the side portions 63 or the end portions 61, may include metal or polymer materials.

[0026]As FIGS. 1-3 show, in some instances, the weights 40 may include a plurality of the intermediate weights 41 retained between a plurality of the inner weights 42 and a plurality of the outer weight 43. For example, as described above, FIG. 1 shows the system 100 including six (6) intermediate weights 41 retained between two (2) inner weights 42 and two (2) outer weights 43—one set of three (3) intermediate weights 41 retained between the inner weight 42 and the outer weight 43, on each side of the handle assembly 30. The system 100 may include a greater or fewer number of the weights 40, such as a greater or fewer number of the intermediate weights 41, retained on the handle assembly 30 when a user uses the dumbbell assembly 20 to perform one or more exercises. For example, in some instances, the system 100 may include one (1), two (2), three (3), four (4), five (5), six (6), seven (7), eight (8), or more than eight (8) intermediate weights 41 retained on each side of the handle assembly 30, such as between the inner weight 42 and the outer weight 43 on that side of the handle assembly 30. In some instances, the inner weights 42 may be closest to a portion of the handle assembly 30 that a user holds, and the outer weights 43 may be farthest from the portion of the handle assembly 30 that the user holds.

[0027]The intermediate weights 41, the inner weights 42, and the outer weights 43 may include corresponding and cooperating fastener portions 45, by which the weights 40 may interlock with one another, as further described. For example, as FIGS. 1-3 illustrate, in some instances the fastener portion 45 may include a plurality of protrusions 47 and a plurality of recesses 48. In some instances, each of the intermediate weights 41 may include the protrusion 47 on a top of a first face, and the recess 48 on a bottom of the first face, the first face facing outward (e.g., away from a center of the handle assembly 30); and the recess 48 on the top of a second face that is opposite the first face, and the protrusion 47 on the bottom of the second face, such that each intermediate weight includes two (2) of the protrusions 47 and two (2) of the recesses 48. In some instances, each of the inner weights 42 may include the protrusion 47 on a top of a first face, and the recess 48 on a bottom of the first face, the first face facing outward (e.g., away from a center of the handle assembly 30), for interlocking with the inner weights 42 to the intermediate weights 41. In some instances, each of the outer weights 43 may include the protrusion 47 on a bottom of an inner face, and the recess 48 on a top of the inner face, as further described below with reference to FIG. 4B, for example. In some instances, as the figures show, the protrusions 47 and the recesses 48 of the fastener portions 45 may have a generally dovetail shape (e.g., may be dovetail-shaped). The weights 40 may include openings 49, by which the handle assembly 30 may retain the weights 40 thereon, as further described. The handle assembly 30 may include a collar portion 31 adjacent to the weights 40. The collar portion 31 may include a fastener portion, which may fasten the collar portion 31 to the inner weights 42, also as further described.

[0028]A user may adjust the total weight or mass of the dumbbell assembly 20 (e.g., the user may determine which of the weights 40 the handle assembly 30 retains thereon) in accordance with the following. When the system 100 includes the dumbbell assembly 20 positioned in the cradle assembly 60 as FIGS. 1-3 illustrate, for example, the user may manipulate (e.g., rotate, slide, or otherwise move a portion of) a weight adjustment mechanism (not shown) of the dumbbell assembly 20, such as a portion of the handle assembly 30. For example, in some instances, the user may rotate a portion of the collar portion 31 and/or another component of the handle assembly 30. Manipulation of the weight adjustment mechanism may result in a bar (not shown) extending or retracting through the openings 49 in one or more of the weights 40, including the inner weights 42, the intermediate weights 41, and the outer weights 43. In some instances, the bar may extend or retract a substantially similar distance on both sides of the handle assembly 30 simultaneously, such that the handle assembly 30 retains an equal number of the weights 40 on both sides of the handle assembly 30. It is understood that as a result of the relative locations of the fastener portions 45, including the protrusions 47 and the recesses 48, on the weights 40, the extent to which the bar of the handle assembly 30 extends through the openings 49 determines which of the weights 40 that the handle assembly 30 retains thereon when a user removes the handle assembly 30 from the cradle assembly 60, as further described.

[0029] For example, when the dumbbell assembly 20 includes six (6) of the intermediate weights 41 between two (2) of the inner weights 42 and two (2) of the outer weights 43—one set of three (3) of the intermediate weights 41 between one (1) of the inner weights 42 and one (1) of the outer weights 43, on each side of the handle assembly 30—a user may manipulate the weight adjustment mechanism among six (6) exemplary configurations, discussed below. In a first exemplary configuration, as a result of the manipulation of the weight adjustment mechanism, the bar of the handle assembly 30 may not extend through any of the openings 49 of the weights 40, and accordingly, when the user removes the dumbbell assembly 20 from the cradle assembly 60, the handle assembly 30 may not retain any of the weights 40 thereon, such that the total weight or mass of the dumbbell assembly 20 may be the weight or mass of the handle assembly 30 only.

[0030] In a second exemplary configuration, the bar may extend through the openings 49 of two (2) of the inner weights 42, and accordingly, when the user removes the dumbbell assembly 20 from the cradle assembly 60, the handle assembly 30 may retain the inner weights 42 thereon, such that the total weight or mass of the dumbbell assembly 20 may be the weight or mass of the handle assembly 30 and two (2) of the inner weights 42. In this configuration, the above described fastener portions may fasten the collar portion 31 to the inner weights 42.

[0031] In a third exemplary configuration, the bar may extend through the openings 49 of two (2) of the inner weights 42 as well as two (2) of the intermediate weights 41, and accordingly, when the user removes the dumbbell assembly 20 from the cradle assembly 60, the handle assembly 30 may retain the inner weights 42 and two (2) of the intermediate weights 41 thereon, such that the total weight or mass of the dumbbell assembly 20 may be the weight or mass of the handle assembly 30, two (2) of the inner weights 42, and two (2) of the intermediate weights 41. In this configuration, the protrusions 47 and the recesses 48 of the inner weights 42 and the intermediate weights 41 may cooperate with one another to fasten the weights 40 to one another.

[0032] In a fourth exemplary configuration, the bar may extend through the openings 49 of two (2) of the inner weights 42 as well as four (4) of the intermediate weight 41, and accordingly, when the user removes the dumbbell assembly 20 from the cradle assembly 60, the handle assembly 30 may retain two (2) of the inner weights 42 and four (4) of the intermediate weights 41 thereon, such that the total weight or mass of the dumbbell assembly 20 may be the weight or mass of the handle assembly 30, two (2) of the inner weights 42, and four (4) of the intermediate weights 41. In this configuration, the protrusions 47 and the recesses 48 of the intermediate weights 41 may cooperate with one another to fasten the weights 40 to one another.

[0033] In a fifth exemplary configuration, the bar may extend through the openings 49 of two (2) of the inner weights 42 as well as six (6) of the intermediate weight 41, and accordingly, when the user removes the dumbbell assembly 20 from the cradle assembly 60, the handle assembly 30 may retain two (2) of the inner weights 42 and six (6) of the intermediate weights 41 thereon, such that the total weight or mass of the dumbbell assembly 20 may be the weight or mass of the handle assembly 30, two (2) of the inner weights 42, and six (6) of the intermediate weights 41.

[0034] Finally, in a sixth exemplary configuration, the bar may extend through the openings 49 of two (2) of the inner weights 42, six (6) of the intermediate weights 41, and two (2) of the outer weights 43, and accordingly, when the user removes the dumbbell assembly 20 from the cradle assembly 60, the handle assembly 30 may retain two (2) of the inner weights 42, six (6) of the intermediate weights 41, and two (2) of the outer weights 43 thereon, such that the total weight or mass of the dumbbell assembly 20 may be the weight or mass of the handle assembly 30, two (2) of the inner weights 42, six (6) of the intermediate weights 41, and two (2) of the outer weights 43. In this configuration, the protrusions 47 and the recesses 48 of the intermediate weights 41 and the outer weights 43 may cooperate with one another to fasten the weights 40 to one another.

[0035]When the cradle assembly 60 retains therein the handle assembly 30 and the weights 40, and a user manipulates the weight adjustment mechanism so that the dumbbell assembly 20 is in a configuration where the handle assembly 30 does not retain thereon at least one of the weights 40, those un-retained weights 40 may remain on the cradle assembly 60 when the user removes the dumbbell assembly 20 from the cradle assembly 60. Thus, for example, when the system 100 includes two (2) of the inner weights 42, six (6) of the intermediate weights 41, and two (2) of the outer weights 43, as FIGS. 1-3 illustrate, and the system 100 is in any of the exemplary configurations one through five described above, the cradle assembly 60 may retain thereon some of the weights 40 when a user removes the handle assembly 30 from the cradle assembly 60. For example, when the system 100 is in the second exemplary configuration, the handle assembly 30 retains thereon only the inner weights 42, and when the user removes the handle assembly 30 from the cradle assembly 60, the cradle assembly 60 retains thereon all of the intermediate weights 41 as well as both of the outer weights 43.

[0036]FIGS. 4A and 4B are perspective front and back views, respectively, of one of the outer weights 43, in accordance with some aspects of the disclosure. In some instances, both of the outer weights 43 of the system 100 may be substantially the same as one another, just as, in some embodiments, both of the inner weights 42 may be substantially the same as one another, or each of the intermediate weights 41 may be substantially the same as one another. FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate the above described fastener portions 45 on the outer weights 43. As FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate, as described above, the outer weight 43 may include the recess 48 on the top of the inner face 51, and the protrusion 47 on the bottom of the inner face 51, such that the fastener portions 45 on the inner face 51 of the outer weight 43 lock the outer weight 43 with the fastener portions 45 of the intermediate weight 41 adjacent to outer weight 43, as described. As FIGS. 4A and 4B show, the inner face 51 as well as the opposite outer face 53 of the outer weight 43 may have a perimeter with a generally octagonal shape, such that the outer weight 43 is generally octagonal in shape.

[0037]Further, in some instances, the outer face 53 may have a generally flat or smooth surface. Thus, for example, when the user performs one or more exercises with the dumbbell assembly 20 that includes the outer weights 43 retained on the handle assembly 30, and the user rests the outer face 53 of the outer weight 43 against the body of the user during the exercise, the generally flat or smooth surface of the outer weight 43 may not cause discomfort, pain, or injury to the user. Further, the generally octagonal shape of the outer weights 43 may prevent the dumbbell assembly 20 from rolling when the user places the dumbbell assembly 20 somewhere other than in the cradle assembly 60. As FIGS. 4A and 4B also show, in some instances, the outer weights 43 include a slot 55 disposed in the outer face 53, such that the slot 55 in outer face 53 and the fastener portions 45 on the inner face 51 are on an opposite sides of the outer weight 43, as further described below. Further details of the slot 55 are discussed below with respect to the FIGS. 5-8.

[0038]FIG. 5 shows an exploded front view of a portion of the system 100, while FIG. 6 shows an exploded front view similar to FIG. 5, with a partial cross-section through one of the outer weights 43, showing one set of the weights 40 including one (1) inner weight 42, one (1) outer weight 43, and two (2) intermediate weights 41 therebetween, in accordance with some aspects of the disclosure. As FIGS. 5-6 illustrate, the outer weight 43 may include the slot 55 communicating with the outer face 53, and the slot 55 may receive a pin 70 retained in the cradle assembly 60. In some instances, each of the end portions 61 of the cradle assembly 60 may include a pin opening 67, the pin opening 67 retaining the pin 70. In some instance, the pin 70 may include a head portion 71 and a shaft portion 73, wherein the head portion 71 has a greater diameter than the shaft portion 73. The pin 70 may be metal or polymer, for example.

[0039]As FIG. 6 illustrates, the slot 55 may include an interior slot portion 57, an exterior slot portion 58, and a slot opening 59. As FIG. 6 illustrates, the slot 55 may extend only partially through the outer weight 43 to define the interior slot portion 57. Sizes of the exterior slot portion 58, the interior slot portion 57, and the slot opening 59 may allow the slot 55 to receive and to retain the head portion 71 of the pin 70 within the slot 55. Thus, for example, sizes of the interior slot portion 57 and the slot opening 59 may be substantially the same size as or slightly larger than a diameter of the head portion 71 of the pin 70. A size of the exterior slot portion 58 may allow the slot 55 to receive the shaft portion 73 of the pin 70, while preventing the head portion 71 of the pin 70 from removal through the exterior slot portion 58. Thus, for example, a size of the exterior slot portion 58 may be substantially the same size as or slightly larger than a diameter of the shaft portion 73 of the pin 70, and the size of the exterior slot portion 58 may be smaller than the diameter of the head portion 71 of the pin 70. Accordingly, by this arrangement, the cradle assembly 60 may receive and securely retain the dumbbell assembly 20 thereon.

[0040]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the system 100 similar to FIG. 1, with the end portion 61 of the cradle assembly removed. As FIG. 7 illustrates, the exterior slot portion 58 of the outer weight 43 generally tapers or decreases in size in a direction from the slot opening 59 towards the opening 49, such that the exterior slot portion 58 has a generally wedge shape moving from a circumference of the outer weight 43 toward a center of the outer weight 43. As FIG. 7 illustrates, the side portions 63 of the cradle assembly 60 may include multiple components, such as a channel portion 64, a cylindrical portion 65, and an outer portion 66. In some instances, the channel portion 64 may retain the cylindrical portion 65, and the outer portion 66 may form an outermost side surface of the side portion 63. Manufacturing processes may form the channel portion 64 with or separate from the cylindrical portion 65 or the outer portion 66. The channel portion 64, the cylindrical portion 65, or the outer portion 66 may be metal or polymer.

[0041]FIG. 8 is a detail bottom view of the system 100, in accordance with some instances of the disclosure. FIG. 8 illustrates the cooperation of the fastener portion 45, including the protrusions 47 and the recesses 48 described above, between adjacent ones of the intermediate weights 41 and the outer weight 43. FIG. 8 also illustrates the head portion 71 and the shaft portion 73 of the pin 70 retained in the slot 55 of the outer weight 43.

[0042]As stated, the dumbbell assembly 20 is not limited to any specific number of the weights 40, including the number of weights 40 shown in FIGS. 1-3, for example. Instead, the dumbbell assembly 20 may include a greater or lesser number of the weights 40. For example, the dumbbell assembly 20 may include, on each side of the handle assembly 30, the following number of intermediate weights 41 between one (1) inner weight 42 and one (1) outer weight 43: one (1), two (2), three (3), four (4), five (5), six (6), seven (7), eight (8), or more than eight (8) intermediate weights 41.

[0043]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the dumbbell assembly 20 that includes, on each side of the handle assembly 30, eight (8) intermediate weights 41 between one (1) inner weight 42 and one (1) outer weight 43. Other aspects of the dumbbell assembly 20 are in accordance with the discussion throughout this disclosure.

[0044]It is understood that the number of configurations that the dumbbell assembly 20 may achieve depends on the total number of the weights 40. In some instances, the number of configuration is one greater than the total number of the weights 40 which one side of the handle assembly 30 may retain thereon. By way of example, when the dumbbell assembly 20 includes at most eight (8) of the intermediate weights 41 between one (1) inner weight 42 and one (1) outer weight 43 on each side of the handle assembly 30, as FIG. 9 illustrates, the dumbbell assembly 20 may move among eleven (11) configurations—a first configuration in which the handle assembly 30 retains none of the weights 40; a second configuration in which the handle assembly 30 retains the inner weights 42 thereon; a third configuration in which the handle assembly 30 retains the inner weights 42 and two (2) of the intermediate weights 41 thereon; a fourth configuration in which the handle assembly 30 retains the inner weights 42 and four (4) of the intermediate weights 41 thereon; a fifth configuration in which the handle assembly 30 retains the inner weights 42 and six (6) of the intermediate weights 41 thereon; a sixth configuration in which the handle assembly 30 retains the inner weights 42 and eight (8) of the intermediate weights 41 thereon; a seventh configuration in which the handle assembly 30 retains the inner weights 42 and ten (10) of the intermediate weights 41 thereon; an eighth configuration in which the handle assembly 30 retains the inner weights 42 and twelve (12) of the intermediate weights 41 thereon; a ninth configuration in which the handle assembly 30 retains the inner weights 42 and fourteen (14) of the intermediate weights 41 thereon; a tenth configuration in which the handle assembly 30 retains the inner weights 42 and all sixteen (16) of the intermediate weights 41 thereon; and an eleventh configuration in which the handle assembly 30 retains the inner weights 42, all of the intermediate weights 41, and the outer weights 43 thereon.

[0045] It is understood that in any aspect or embodiment shown or described, the weights or masses of one or more of the weights 40 may be the same as or different than the weight or mass of one or more other ones of the weights 40. For example, the weights or masses of the inner weight 42, the outer weight 43, and/or the intermediate weight 41 may be the same as one another. By way of another example, the weights or masses of the inner weights 42 may differ from those of the outer weights 43 and/or the intermediate weights 41. By way of further example, the weight or mass of one of the intermediate weights 41 may be the same as or different than the weight or mass of another one of the intermediate weights 41. In some examples, all of the weights or masses of the intermediate weights 41 are the same as one another. In some other examples, the weight or mass of one or more of the intermediate weights 41 is different than the weight or mass of another one of the intermediate weights 41. In some examples, all of the weights or masses of the intermediate weights 41 are different from one another.

[0046] It also is understood that the sizes, shapes, or dimensions of the weights 40, including the intermediate weights 41, the inner weights 42, or the outer weights 43, may differ from those shown or described. For example, lengths, heights, and/or widths of the intermediate weights 41 may be greater or lesser than the figures illustrate. As the figures show, one or more dimensions of the weights 40 may be substantially the same as one another. For example, one or more dimensions, including widths, of the intermediate weights 41 may be the same as one another. However, one or more dimensions, including widths, of the intermediate weights 41 may be differ from one another.

Items

[0047] In some instances, a dumbbell system comprises: a dumbbell assembly, comprising: a handle assembly; and a plurality of weights removably retained on the handle assembly, wherein the plurality of weights comprises two outer weights, two intermediate weights, and two inner weights, one outer weight removably retained on each side of the handle assembly, one inner weight removably retained on each side of the handle assembly, and one intermediate weight removable retained on each side of the handle assembly between the inner weight and the outer weight, wherein each of the outer weights comprises an outer face, each of the outer faces comprising a substantially flat, smooth surface, wherein each of the outer faces includes a slot; and a cradle assembly, comprising: two end portions opposite one another, and two pins retained in the end portions, wherein each of the slots of the outer weights retains at least a portion of the pins therein, such that the cradle assembly retains the dumbbell assembly.

[0048] In some instances, each of the pins comprises a head portion and a shaft portion, the end portions of the cradle assembly retain the shaft portions of the pins, and the slots of the outer weights retain the head portions of the pins.

[0049] In some instances, each of the end portions of the cradle assembly include a pin opening, the pin openings retaining the shaft portions of the pins.

[0050] In some instances, the cradle assembly further comprises two side portions, the side portions extending between the end portions of the cradle assembly.

[0051] In some instances, the handle assembly comprises two collar portions, wherein on each side of the handle assembly, the collar portion is adjacent the inner weight, such that on each side of the handle assembly the inner weight is between the collar portion and the intermediate weight.

[0052] In some instances, each of the weights of the plurality of weights comprises fastener portions configured to interlock the weights of the plurality of weights to one another.

[0053] In some instances, the fastener portions comprise protrusions and recesses.

[0054] In some instances, the fastener portions comprise dovetail-shaped protrusions and recesses.

[0055] In some instances, the slot comprises an interior slot portion and an exterior slot portion, the interior slot portion retaining a head portion of the pin, and a shaft portion of the pin extending through the exterior slot portion.

[0056] In some instances, a dumbbell system comprises: a dumbbell assembly, comprising: a handle assembly; and a plurality of weights removably retained on the handle assembly, wherein the plurality of weights comprises two outer weights, two intermediate weights, and two inner weights, one outer weight removably retained on each side of the handle assembly, one inner weight removably retained on each side of the handle assembly, and one intermediate weight removable retained on each side of the handle assembly between the inner weight and the outer weight, wherein an outer face of each of the outer weights comprises a substantially flat, smooth surface, wherein each of the outer weights comprises a slot; and a cradle assembly, comprising: two end portions opposite one another, each of the end portions including a pin opening, two side portions opposite one another extending between the two end portions, and two pins retained in the pin openings of the end portions, wherein the slots of the outer weights retain at least a portion of the pins therein.

[0057] In some instances, each of the pins comprises a head portion and a shaft portion, the pin openings of the end portions of the cradle retaining the shaft portions of the pins, and the slots of the outer weights retaining the head portions of the pins.

[0058] In some instances, the handle assembly comprises two collar portions, one on each side of the handle assembly, wherein on each side of the handle assembly, the collar portion is adjacent the inner weight.

[0059] In some instances, each of the weights of the plurality of weights comprises fastener portions configured to interlock the weights of the plurality of weights to one another.

[0060] In some instances, the fastener portions comprise protrusions and recesses.

[0061] In some instances, a dumbbell assembly comprises: a handle assembly; and a plurality of weights removably retained on the handle assembly, wherein the plurality of weights comprises two outer weights, two intermediate weights, and two inner weights, one outer weight removably retained on each side of the handle assembly, one inner weight removably retained on each side of the handle assembly, and one intermediate weight removable retained on each side of the handle assembly between the inner weight and the outer weight, wherein an outer face of each of the outer weights comprises a substantially flat, smooth surface, wherein each of the outer faces comprises a slot.

[0062] In some instances, the handle assembly comprises two collar portions, wherein on each side of the handle assembly, the collar portion is adjacent the inner weight.

[0063] In some instances, the intermediate weights and the outer weight comprise cooperating fastener portions.

[0064] In some instances, the fastener portions comprise protrusions and recesses.

[0065] In some instances, each of the slots comprises a slot opening, an interior slot portion, and an exterior slot portion, wherein the exterior slot portion is on the outer face of the outer weight, the interior slot portion in within an interior of the outer weight and in communication with the exterior slot portion, and the slot opening is in communication with the interior slot portion and is configured to receive a portion of a pin to thereby support the dumbbell assembly on the pin.

[0066] In some instances, the slot opening is configured to receive a head of the pin, the interior slot portion is configured to retain the head of the pin therein, and the exterior slot portion is configured to retain a shaft of the pin.

[0067] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations may be made to the disclosed system without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the system disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope of the disclosure being indicated by the following claims and their equivalents.