Weight lifting apparatus with weight disks

Abstract

An adjustable weight lifting apparatus includes a weight lifting device to which a desired amount of weight is attached by attaching a desired number of weight disks and / or auxiliary weights to the weight lifting device. Weight disks are attached to or detached from to the weight lifting device by intermittently advancing pins from or retracting pins into the weight lifting device. Auxiliary weights in differing amounts can be provided to facilitate adjustment of the amount of weight attached to the weight lifting device in smaller amounts than is achieved by attaching or detaching individual weight disks. The weight disks can be prevented from moving radially relative to each other by protrusions and mating recesses on the weight disks. The protrusions can be removably attached to the weight disks.

Description

[0001] WEIGHT LIFTING APPARATUS WITH WEIGHT DISKS

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention relates to an adjustable weight lifting device.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] U.S. Patent Nos. 8,206,274, 8,529,415, 8,715,143, 8,784,283, 8,932,188, 9,452,312, 9,566,465, 9,616,271, 9,669,252, 9,889,331, 9,974,994, 10,232,214, and 11,602,661 show features of adjustable weight lifting apparatus and devices and are incorporated by reference. A common feature of these adjustable weight lifting apparatus and devices is that a handle is seated in a rack and, upon rotation of a portion of the handle relative to another portion of the handle, pins can be extended from the handle to lock weight disks and, in some cases, auxiliary weights, to the handle, or can be retracted from the weight disks to unlock weight disks and / or auxiliary weights from the handle.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] I have discovered that it is desirable to improve the manner in which weight disks are attached to such adjustable weight lifting devices. It is, additionally, desirable to intermittently advance the pins so that they do not extend past the axially outer ends of the handle when it is intended to attach no weight disks to the handle, or past axially outer ends of any weight disks that are intended to be attached to the handle. It is, additionally, desirable to permit different amounts of weights to be attached to handles in relatively small increments.

[0008] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a weight lifting apparatus comprises a weight lifting device, the weight lifting device comprising a handle, a first cam non- rotatably mounted on the handle, a second cam non-rotatably mounted on the handle, a housing rotatably mounted on the handle, the handle being rotatable relative to the housing, a first cam follower disposed in the housing and in contact with a first cam surface of the first cam and radially movable between a first cam follower retracted position and a first cam follower extended position, and a second cam follower disposed in the housing and in contact with a second cam surface of the second cam and radially movable between a second cam follower retracted position and second cam follower extended position. In this way, advantages including facilitating connection of multiple different auxiliary weights can be provided.

[0009] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a weight lifting device, comprises an elongated handle, a housing, the handle being rotatably attached at an end thereof to the housing, an axially extending opening extending through the housing and the handle, an axially extending pin disposed in and axially movable relative to the axially extending opening, and the handle, the housing, and the pin being linked so that rotation of the handle relative to the housing causes intermittent linear motion of the pin. In this way, advantages including preventing exposure of the end of the pin beyond the axially outermost surfaces of the weight lifting device, when no weight disks are attached, or beyond the axially outermost surfaces of the weight disks when weight disks are attached, can be provided.

[0010] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a weight lifting device comprises an elongated handle, a housing, the handle being rotatably attached at an end thereof to the housing, an axially extending opening extending through the housing and the handle, an axially extending rack disposed in and axially movable relative to the axially extending opening, a first gear non-rotatably attached to the handle, a second gear non-rotatably mounted in the housing on an axle perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the handle and in engagement with and drivable by the first gear, and a crank non-rotatably mounted on the axle and having at least one peg adapted to intermittently engage the rack upon rotation of the axle. In this way, advantages including preventing exposure of the end of the pin beyond the axially outermost surfaces of the weight lifting device, when no weight disks are attached, or beyond the axially outermost surfaces of the weight disks when weight disks are attached, can be provided.

[0011] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a weight lifting apparatus comprises a weight lifting device, the weight lifting device comprising an elongated handle, a housing, the handle being rotatably attached at an end thereof to the housing, an axially extending opening extending through the housing and the handle, an axially extending pin disposed in and axially movable relative to the axially extending opening, and a linear Geneva mechanism for converting rotational motion of the handle relative to the housing into intermittent linear motion of the pin, the linear Geneva mechanism comprising a crank driven by rotation of the handle, the pin comprising a slider drivable by the crank, and the weight lifting apparatus further comprises at least one weight disk comprising a hole, the at least one weight disk being attachable to the housing when the pin is received in the hole. In this way, advantages including preventing exposure of the end of the pin beyond the axially outermost surfaces of the weight lifting device, when no weight disks are attached, or beyond the axially outermost surfaces of the weight disks when weight disks are attached, can be provided. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, an adjustable weight lifting apparatus comprises a weight lifting device comprising first and second axially outer surfaces, a plurality of weight disks removably attachable to the first and second axially outer surfaces of the weight lifting device and to each other, and each weight disk comprising a main body portion, a protrusion removably attachable to the main body portion, and a recess, the protrusion of a first one of the plurality of weight disks being adapted to be removably received in the recess of a second one of the plurality of weight disks, the first and second ones of the plurality of weight disks being radially movable but not axially movable relative to each other when the protrusion of the first one of the plurality of weight disks is received in the recess of the second one of the plurality of weight disks. In this way, advantages including facilitating manufacture of the weight disks for the weight lifting apparatus by providing removably attachable protrusions can be provided.

[0012] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a weight disk for an adjustable weight lifting apparatus is provided, the adjustable weight lifting apparatus comprising a plurality of weight disks removably attachable to each other. The weight disk comprises a main body portion, a protrusion removably attachable to the main body portion, and a recess, the protrusion of the weight disk being adapted to be removably received in the recess of another one of the plurality of weight disks, the weight disk and the other one of the plurality of weight disks being radially movable but not axially movable relative to each other when the protrusion of the weight disk is received in the recess of the other one of the plurality of weight disks. In this way, advantages including facilitating manufacture of the weight disks by providing removably attachable protrusions can be provided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The features and advantages of the present invention are well understood by reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings in which like numerals indicate similar elements and in which:

[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a weight lifting apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention;

[0015] FIG. 2 is an exploded, perspective view of the weight lifting apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0016] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a first side of a weight disk according to an aspect of the present invention;

[0017] FIG. 3B is a perspective view of a second side of the weight disk of FIG. 3 A;

[0018] FIG. 3C is a perspective view of a first side of an axially outermost weight disk according to an aspect of the present invention;

[0019] FIG. 3D is a perspective view of a second side of the weight disk of FIG. 3C; axially outermost ones of the weight disks

[0020] FIG. 4A1 is a perspective view of a first side of a first auxiliary weight according to an aspect of the present invention;

[0021] FIG. 4A2 is a perspective view of a second side of the first auxiliary weight of FIG. 4A1;

[0022] FIG. 4B1 is a perspective view of a first side of a second auxiliary weight according to an aspect of the present invention;

[0023] FIG. 4B2 is a perspective view of a second side of the second auxiliary weight of FIG. 4B1;

[0024] FIG. 5 is an exploded, perspective view of a weight lifting device according to an aspect of the present invention; FIG. 6 is an exploded, perspective view of portions of a weight lifting device according to an aspect of the present invention including indicia and structures for indexing;

[0025] FIGS. 7A and 7C are exploded, perspective view of portions of a weight lifting device according to an aspect of the present invention including structures for indexing;

[0026] FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the portions of the weight lifting device of FIG. 7A in an assembled state;

[0027] FIG. 8 is an exploded, perspective view of portions of a weight lifting device according to an aspect of the present invention including a safety lock;

[0028] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a portion of a weight lifting device according to an aspect of the present invention including first and second auxiliary weight locks;

[0029] FIG. 10 is an exploded, perspective view of a portion of a weight lifting device according to an aspect of the present invention including a first auxiliary weight lock viewed toward a first end of the weight lifting device;

[0030] FIG. 11 is an exploded, perspective view of a portion of a weight lifting device according to an aspect of the present invention including a first auxiliary weight lock viewed away from the first end of the weight lifting device;

[0031] FIG. 12 is an exploded, perspective view of a portion of a weight lifting device according to an aspect of the present invention including a second auxiliary weight lock;

[0032] FIG. 13 is an exploded, perspective view of a portion of a weight lifting device according to an aspect of the present invention including components of a drive arrangement;

[0033] FIGS. 14A and 14B are perspective views of first and second sides a crank of a drive arrangement according to an aspect of the present invention; FIG. 15 A is a perspective view of a pin according to an aspect of the present invention, and FIGS. 15B, 15C, and 15D are left side, top side, and right side views of the crank and slider of the drive arrangement according to an aspect of the present invention;

[0034] FIG. 16A1 is an end view and FIGS. 16A2, 16A3, and 16A4 are cross-sectional views taken at sections 16A2-16A2, 16A3-16A3, and 16A4-16A4, respectively, of a weight lifting device according to an aspect of the present invention in which the pins of the weight lifting device are in an initial, fully retracted position;

[0035] FIG. 16B1 is an end view and FIGS. 16B2, 16B3, and 16B4 are cross-sectional views taken at sections 16B2-16B2, 16B3-16B3, and 16B4-16B4, respectively, of a weight lifting device according to an aspect of the present invention in which the first auxiliary weights are secured to the weight lifting device;

[0036] FIG. 16C1 is an end view and FIGS. 16C2, 16C3, and 16C4 are cross-sectional views taken at sections 16C2-16C2, 16C3-16C3, and 16C4-16C4, respectively, of a weight lifting device according to an aspect of the present invention in which the pins are advanced one half the thickness of a weight disk and the second auxiliary weights are secured to the weight lifting device;

[0037] FIG. 16D1 is an end view and FIGS. 16D2, 16D3, and 16D4 are cross-sectional views taken at sections 16D2-16D2, 16D3-16D3, and 16D4-16D4, respectively, of a weight lifting device according to an aspect of the present invention in which the pins are advanced one half the thickness of a weight disk and the first and the second auxiliary weights are secured to the weight lifting device;

[0038] FIG. 16E1 is an end view and FIGS. 16E2, 16E3, and 16E4 are cross-sectional views taken at sections 16E2-16E2, 16E3-16E3, and 16E4-16E4, respectively, of a weight lifting device according to an aspect of the present invention in which the pins are advanced the thickness of a weight disk and axially innermost weight disk pairs are secured to the weight lifting device;

[0039] FIG. 16F1 is an end view and FIGS. 16F2, 16F3, and 16F4 are cross-sectional views taken at sections 16F2-16F2, 16F3-16F3, and 16F4-16F4, respectively, of a weight lifting device according to an aspect of the present invention in which the pins are advanced four thicknesses of a weight disk beyond the axially outer surfaces of the weight lifting device and the first and the second auxiliary weights are secured to the weight lifting device;

[0040] FIGS. 17A and 17B are partially exploded perspective views of portions of a weight lifting device according to an aspect of the present invention including a pin guide; and

[0041] FIGS. 18A, 18B, and 18C are perspective views of portions of a weight lifting device according to an aspect of the present invention showing attachment of a cover, a back cover, and an integrated weight plate.

[0042] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] A weight lifting apparatus 21 according to an aspect of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1. The weight lifting apparatus 21 includes a weight lifting device 23 and a base 25 on which the weight lifting device is adapted to seated. The weight lifting device 23 is ordinarily an adjustable weight lifting device to which different amounts of weight can be attached to adjust an amount of weight to be lifted with the weight lifting device. Except where otherwise noted, references to portions of structures being axially inner means that those structures are closer to an axial center of the weight lifting apparatus or weight lifting device than axially outer portions of those structures. Basic Components of Weight Lifting Device of Weight Lifting Apparatus

[0044] The weight lifting device 23 includes a bar or handle 27 which is ordinarily an elongated member. A housing 29 is rotatably mounted on the handle 27. Ordinarily, an anchorage or housing 29, 29’ is rotatably mounted on opposite ends 31, 31’ of the handle 27.

[0045] Base of Wei ht Lifting Apparatus

[0046] As seen in FIG. 2, the base 25 includes seats 33, 33’ on which the housings 29, 29’ are adapted to be seated when the weight lifting device 23 is properly positioned on the base. The base 25 also includes weight disk supporting areas 35, 35’ next to the seats 33, 33’, respectively, for receiving weight disks 37 that can be attached to the weight lifting device 23 to adjust the amount of weight to be lifted with the weight lifting device 23. The base 25 may also include opposite end supporting surfaces 39, 39’ at ends of the base.

[0047] Weight Disks and Connecting Structures for Weight Lifting Apparatus

[0048] As seen in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the weight disks ordinarily have a hole 41 extending through the weight disks in a thickness dimension, and are substantially greater in width (perpendicular to the center axis of the hole) than in thickness. A preferred shape for the weight disks 37 is circular when viewed along the center axis of the hole 41. The weight disk supporting areas 35, 35’ are ordinarily configured to support a particular number of the weight disks 37 standing upright, with portions of circumferential edges 43 of the weight disks in contact with at least portions of the weight disk supporting areas 35, 35’ of the base 25. The weight disks 37 may include a flattened edge at bottoms of the weight disks. Each weight disk 37 has a structure for securing the weight disk to an adjacent weight disk as seen for example in FIG. 2 so that the adjacent weight disks are radially movable relative to each other, but are not axially movable relative to each other. A presently preferred structure for permitting radial movement but preventing axial movement of the weight disks is a protrusion 45 on one surface of the weight disks and a corresponding recess 47 on an opposite surface of the weight disks. The weight disks 37 may have a main body portion on which the protrusion 45 and / or the recess 47 are formed, or to which the protrusion and / or the recess are removably attached.

[0049] In a presently preferred aspect, the protrusions 45 are in the form of circular knobs having wider axially outer ends (i.e., furthest from an axial center of the weight disk) than axially inner ends ((i.e., closest to the axial center of the weight disk), and recesses 47 that are undercut to receive the protrusions, the recesses being provided with edges that are widest at an axially inner end than at an axially outer end so that, when two weight disks are positioned next to each other, the wide end of the protrusion is disposed next to the wide end of the recess and the narrow end of the protrusion is disposed next to the narrow end of the recess so that radial movement of the weight disk is permitted and axial movement is prevented. Protrusions 45 in the form of knobs may be formed integrally with the weight disks but, for convenience of manufacturing, will ordinarily be attached to the weight disks in any suitable manner, such as by means of a bolt. The recesses 47 for such protrusions may also be formed integrally with the weight disks but, for convenience of manufacturing, will ordinary be in the form of components attached by suitable means, such as bolts 47b (FIG. 2), to recesses in the periphery of the weight disks. The protrusions 45 and 47 may be provided on opposite sides of the same components 46 attached to recesses on the weight disks as seen in FIGS. 3A and 3B, where a protrusion 45 is attached via a bolt to a component in which a recess 47 is provided. The protrusion may, alternatively, be formed integrally with the component in which the recess is provided.

[0050] Alternatively, the protrusion and the recess can be wedge shaped to facilitate radial movement of adjacent weight disks relative to each other by having a narrow end of the protrusion received in the wide end of the recess when positioning the weight disks adjacent to each other. In this alternative aspect, edges of the protrusion and the recess can be undercut in the manner of a dovetail joint such that the protrusion is widest at an axially outer end (i.e., furthest from an axial center of the weight disk) than at an axially inner end (i.e., closest to an axial center of the weight disk), the edges of the recess are widest at an axially inner end than at an axially outer end, and, when two weight disks are positioned next to each other, the wide end of the protrusion is disposed next to the wide end of the recess and the narrow end of the protrusion is disposed next to the narrow end of the recess so that radial movement of the weight disk is permitted and axial movement is prevented. Joint structures of this kind are disclosed in, for example, U.S. Patent Nos. 8,529,415 and 11,602,661, which are incorporated by reference.

[0051] It is presently preferred to provide, a protrusion 45 and a recess 47 on each side of each disk 37 so that the two protrusions are disposed on opposite sides of the disk at 180° to each other, and the two recesses are disposed on opposite sides of the disk at 180° to each other. U.S. Patent No. 11,602,661 shows such an arrangement with wedge-shaped protrusions and recesses. As shown in U.S. Patent No. 8,529,415, the protrusions and recesses can be formed integrally with the main body portion of the weight disk or, as shown in U.S. Patent No. 11,602,661, the weight disks can include main body portions and inserts attachable in recesses in the circumference of the weight disks, with a protrusion and a recess on each insert. It will be appreciated that a variety of alternative structures might be provided to secure weight disks relative to each other so that they are radially movable but not axially movable relative to each other, such as tongues receivable in slots.

[0052] As seen with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, axially outermost ones of the weight disks 37e (i.e., weight disks 37 disposed furthest from the axial center of the weight lifting apparatus 21) disposed in the weight disk supporting areas 35, 35’ are ordinarily in contact with or substantially adjacent the opposite end supporting surfaces 39, 39’, respectively, of the base 25. The opposite end supporting surfaces 39, 39’ can include a recess or protrusion (45 shown in FIG. 2) for engaging with a protrusion or recess, respectively, on axially outermost ones of the weight disks 37e to prevent axial movement of the outermost weight disks relative to the base 25 while permitting radial movement. The weight disks 37 can all be identical, however, if desired, a weight disk 37e that is intended to be disposed adjacent the opposite end supporting surfaces 39, 39’ of the base 25 can be provided on its axially outer surface with only a recess or a protrusion for mating with a protrusion or recess, respectively, on the opposite end supporting surfaces of the base. For example, the axially outermost weight disk 37 e shown in FIGS. 3C1, 3C2, and 16F1 has, on its axially outer surface, only a recess 47 for mating with a protrusion on the opposite end supporting surfaces of a base 25. Additionally, the hole 41 in the axially outermost weight disk 37 e can be plugged at its axially outermost end or otherwise covered, such as by a plate 37p.

[0053] As seen with reference to FIG. 2, axially innermost ones of the weight disks 37 (i.e., weight disks 37 disposed closest to the axial center of the weight lifting apparatus 21) disposed in the weight disk supporting areas 35, 35’ are ordinarily in contact with or substantially adjacent to axially outer surfaces 49, 49’ of the housings 29, 29’. The axially outer surfaces 49, 49’ of the housings 29, 29’ of the housings are ordinarily provided with protrusions and / or recesses for mating with recesses and / or protrusions, respectively, on the axially innermost ones of the weight disks 37.

[0054] Auxiliary Weights for Weight Lifting Apparatus

[0055] The weight lifting apparatus 21 can further include one or more auxiliary weights. The auxiliary weights are ordinarily attachable to the housings 29, 29’ axially inward of the axially innermost ones of the weight disks 37. The auxiliary weights can facilitate providing more incremental adjustments of the amount of weight supported on the weight lifting device 23 than if adjustment only occurred as the result of adding or removing weight disks 37. The auxiliary weights are typically roughly C- or U-shaped partial-circles with axially extending openings and radially open along one side to permit the housings 29, 29’ of the weight lifting device to be moved radially to be positioned in or removed from the auxiliary weights as desired.

[0056] As seen for example in FIGS. 1 and 2, in a presently preferred aspect, the weight lifting apparatus 21 includes two pairs of auxiliary weights: a pair of first auxiliary weights 51 and 51 ’ as seen in FIGS. 4A1 and 4A2; and a pair of second auxiliary weights 53 and 53’ as seen in FIG. 4B1 and 4B2 being disposed axially outermost relative to the first auxiliary weights. The weights 51 and 53 and the weights 51’ and 53’ are typically attachable to the housings 29 and 29’, respectively. The weights 51 and 53 are typically adjacent to each other when attached to the housing 29 and the weights 51’ and 53’ are typically adjacent to each other when attached to the housing 29’. The base 25 ordinarily includes seats 52s, 52s’ for the auxiliary weights 51, 51’ and 53, 53’. The weight lifting apparatus may, of course, include any number of auxiliary weights. If a single pair of auxiliary weights is provided, it will ordinarily be desirable for each auxiliary weight to have half the weight of a weight disk; if two pairs of auxiliary weights are provided, pairs of auxiliary weights may be of the same weight as each other or different weights; and so on.

[0057] In a presently preferred aspect, the first auxiliary weights 51 and 51’ are each one half the weight of the second auxiliary weights 53 and 53’, and each of the weight disks 37 are twice the weight of each of the second auxiliary weights. For example, the first auxiliary weights 51 and 51 ’ may each be 2 kg, the second auxiliary weights 53 and 53’ may each be 4 kg, and the weight disks may each be 8 kg.

[0058] Weight Lifting Device Symmetry

[0059] As seen in FIG. 5, in a presently preferred aspect, the weight lifting device 23 includes a driving tube 55 which is intended to be gripped by a user of the weight lifting apparatus 21. To assist in gripping the driving tube 55, it may have a knurled outer surface. A center tube 57 is axially longer than the driving tube 55 and is disposed inside the driving tube so that equal lengths of the center tube 57 extend past first and second ends of the driving tube.

[0060] The structure of the weight lifting device 23 on the side of the housing 29 is substantially identical to the structure of the weight lifting device on the side of the housing 29’ except that the structure on the side of the housing 29’ is rotationally symmetrical to the structure on the side of the housing 29. Accordingly, it will be understood that the description of the structure of the structure of the weight lifting device 23 on the side of the housing 29 applies to the structure of the weight lifting device on the side of the housing 29’, except where otherwise indicated.

[0061] Indexing and Indicia Structures As seen in FIG. 6, the driving tube 55 extends through and is rotatable relative to a hole 59 in a housing cover 61 (FIG. 5) of the housing 29. The driving tube 55 also extends part of the way into an opening 63 (FIG. 7C) in a sun gear 65 with external teeth 67. Radially inwardly projecting protrusions 69 (FIG. 7C) on an inner surface of the opening 63 in the sun gear 65 are received in axially extending notches 71 on the end 73 of the driving tube 55 so that the sun gear is non-rotatable relative to the driving tube. An outer driving tube 75 projects part of the way into the opening 63 in the sun gear 65 and includes axially extending protrusions 77 at its inner end 79 that are received in the axially extending notches 71 on the end 73 of the driving tube 55 and sandwich the protrusions 69 between the axially extending notches 71 on the driving tube 55 and the axially extending protrusions 77 on the outer driving tube 75 so that the sun gear 65 and the outer driving tube 75 are both non-rotatable relative to the driving tube 55.

[0062] Three planet gears 79 are equally spaced around and mesh with the sun gear 65 and further mesh with teeth on an inner surface of a surrounding ring gear 81. As seen in FIG. 6, the planet gears 79 may have an axially inner, larger diameter gear portion 79a for meshing with the sun gear 65 and an axially outer, smaller diameter portion 79b for meshing with the ring gear 81 so that for each turn of the sun gear 65 through a particular angle, the planet gear will turn through a lesser angle. For example, the smaller diameter portion 79b may be sized relative to the larger diameter portion 79a so that the sun gear 65 must make more than one rotation (three in a presently preferred aspect) in order for the ring gear 81 to complete a single rotation.

[0063] Indicia 83 for indicating an amount of weight that is supposed to be supported by the weight lifting device 23 are provided on a radially outer surface of the ring gear 81. As seen in FIGS 18A-18C, the cover 61 includes an opening 61 i that permits one of the indicia to be displayed at a time. The planet gears 79 are mounted on axles 85 in holes in pedestals 87 (FIG. 7B) on an axially inner surface 89 of an inner bracket 91. The outer driving tube 75 (FIG. 7C) extends through a hole 93 (FIGS. 7A-7B) in the inner bracket 91 and is rotatable relative to the inner bracket.

[0064] As seen in FIGS. 7A, the inner surface 89 of the inner bracket 91 also includes a pair of tracks 95 in which, in each track, a spring 97, a pusher 99, and an index ball 101 are positioned so that the spring urges the pusher and the index ball radially inwardly. Lock brackets 103 attach to the inner bracket 91 as seen in FIG. 7B so that each lock bracket and a respective one of the tracks 95 enclose a spring 97, a pusher 99, and an index ball 101. The lock brackets 103 may be attached to the inner bracket 91 in any suitable manner, such as by providing a pair of holes in the inner bracket and a pair of flexible legs receivable in the holes on the lock bracket that can clip the lock brackets in place. Each lock bracket 103 and track 95 pair define, at radially inner ends thereof, an opening through which a portion of the index ball 101 is able to extend.

[0065] As seen in FIG. 7C, the outer driving tube 75 includes a plurality of holes 105 equally spaced around the periphery of the outer driving tube. When the driving tube 55 and outer driving tube 75 are rotated relative to the inner bracket 91 (and the rest of the portions of the housings 29 relative to which the driving tube and outer driving tube are rotatable) the index ball 101 is received in one of the plurality of holes 105 when the driving tube 55 and outer driving tube 75 have been rotated to a position for picking up or releasing a weight disk 37 and / or one or more of the auxiliary weights 51 and / or 53. In the illustrated, presently preferred aspect, the holes 105 are spaced every 45° around the outer driving tube 75, however, other radial spacings may be provided. When the driving tube 55 and the outer driving tube 75 are rotated to a position in which another weight disk or auxiliary weight is to be picked up or released, two of the holes 105 in the outer driving tube are aligned with the two index balls 101 which are urged into the holes by the springs 97 and provide an indication of proper positioning of the driving tube and outer driving tube relative to the inner bracket 91 and other components of the weight lifting device 23 that do not rotate with the driving tube and the outer driving tube, and provide some minimal resistance against further rotation of the driving tube and the outer driving tube until the force with which the springs urge the index balls into the holes can be overcome.

[0066] By providing the planet gears 79 with the smaller diameter portion 79b and the larger diameter portion 79a so that the sun gear 65 must make more than one rotation for the ring gear 81 to complete a single rotation, the sun gear 65 (mounted on the driving tube 55) can be turned more than 360° before the ring gear on which the indicia 83 are provided is turned through 360°. So if, for example, the indexing holes 105 are spaced every 45° around the outer driving tube 75 and the driving tube 55 and the outer driving tube 75 can be turned to twenty different positions reflecting twenty different amounts of weight (as a combination of one or more of the first and second auxiliary weights 51, 51’ and 53, 53’ and the weight disks 37) attached to the weight lifting device 23, the ring gear 81 can be provided with 20 different indicia spaced at, e.g., 15° around the outer surface of the ring gear without the ring gear being turned completely through 360° and displaying the same indicia again in the opening 61a in the cover

[0067] Safety Lock

[0068] A safety lock plate 107 is seen in FIG. 8 and is non-rotatably mounted on an axially outer surface 109 of the inner bracket 91. The safety lock plate 107 may be non-rotatably attached to the axially outer surface of the inner bracket 91 by any suitable means. In the illustrated aspect, the safety lock plate 107 is non-rotatably attached to the axially outer surface 109 of the inner bracket 91 by being provided with a non-circular periphery that is fitted in a correspondingly shaped recess 111 in the axially outer surface of the inner bracket 91. The recess 111 in the axially outer surface 109 of the inner bracket 91 is longer than the safety lock plate 107 and shaped so that the safety lock plate can move radially up and down through a limited distance relative to the recess. The safety lock plate 107 has a hole 113 through which the outer driving tube 75 extends and is rotatable. The hole 113 is larger than the outer driving tube 75 and is normally oblong so that the safety lock plate 107 is radially movable up and down relative to the outer driving tube.

[0069] The safety lock plate 107 also includes a safety lock 115 attached at a bottom of the safety lock plate. The safety lock 115 includes at a bottom thereof a tab 117 that projects radially downward from a main portion of the safety lock plate 107 and axially inward past the inner surface 89 of the inner bracket 91, and a projection 119 that extends radially inward. The inner bracket 91 includes a radially extending recess 121 at a bottom thereof with a radially outward extending projection 123 at a bottom of the recess. A coil spring 124 is attached over the projection 119 on the tab 117 and the projection 123 on the inner bracket 91 so that the safety lock 115 and the safety lock plate 107 are normally urged radially outward toward a bottom of the recess 111 in the outer surface 109 of the inner bracket 91 and so that the spring must be compressed in order for the safety lock and safety lock plate to be moved to the top of the recess in the outer surface of the inner bracket.

[0070] As seen for example in FIG. 6, a locking rim 125 has a hole 127 through which the outer driving tube 75 extends. The locking rim 125 is non-rotatably attached to the outer driving tube 75. In a presently preferred aspect, the hole 127 of the locking rim 125 has radially inwardly extending projections 129 and the outer driving tube 75 has axially extending recesses 131 (FIG. 7C) at an axially outer end thereof. The locking rim 125 is fit over the outer driving tube 75 so that the radially inwardly extending projections 129 are received in the axially extending recesses 131, thereby preventing rotation of the locking rim relative to the outer driving tube 75. The axially extending recesses 131 and the radially inwardly extending projections 129 can be sized to produce a friction fit so that the locking rim 125 will be held in place axially on the outer driving tube 75.

[0071] The locking rim 125 also includes an axially inwardly extending peripheral rim 133 having an inner diameter at least as great as an outer diameter of the inner bracket 91. When the locking rim 125 is fit over the outer driving tube 75, the peripheral rim 133 surrounds the outer periphery of the inner bracket 91. The peripheral rim 133 includes a plurality of axially extending recesses 135 with centers spaced at the same radial spacing as the holes 105 around the outer driving tube 75. For example, if the holes 105 are radially spaced at 45° around the outer driving tube, the recesses 135 are spaced at 45° around the peripheral rim 133.

[0072] As seen in FIG. 2, the base 25 includes upwardly extending projections 137, 137’ on the seats 33, 33’ for the housings 29, 29’. Referring to the projections 137 and seats 33 for purposes of discussion, when the weight lifting device 23 is placed on the base 25 so that the housing 29 is seated on the seat 33, the projection 137 extends into the housing and moves the safety lock plate 107 and safety lock 115 upward in the recess 111 in the axially outer surface 109 of the inner bracket 91 against the force of the spring 124. When the weight lifting device 23 is positioned on the base 25, the safety lock plate 107 and safety lock 115 are moved upward in the recess 111 against the force of the spring 124 by contact between the safety lock and the projection 137, the projection 119 on the safety lock is radially inward of the peripheral rim 133 of the locking rim 125 and the locking rim, the outer driving tube 75, and the driving tube 55 are rotatable relative to the inner bracket 91 which permits adjustment of the number of weight disks 37 attached to the handle 27.

[0073] For the handle 27 to properly retain a weight disk 37 or any auxiliary weight 51, 51’, 53, 53’, the locking rim 125, the outer driving tube 75, and the driving tube 55 must be rotated to specific positions relative to other components of the weight lifting device 23 including the inner bracket 91. The projections 137, 137’ each include at their ends a hook portion 137h, 137h’ (FIG. 2) that extends generally perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the projections, and toward the opposite end supporting surfaces 39, 39’, respectively. If the locking rim 125, the outer driving tube 75, and the driving tube 55 are rotated to the proper positions relative to other components of the weight lifting device 23 including the inner bracket 91, the hook portions 137h, 137h’ and the projections 137, 137’ are freely radially movable in the axially extending recesses 135 in the peripheral rim 133 of the locking rim 125 and the weight lifting device 23 can be raised from the base 25. If the locking rim 125, the outer driving tube 75, and the driving tube 55 are not rotated to the proper positions relative to other components of the weight lifting device 23 including the inner bracket 91, the hook portions 137h, 137h’ and, thus, the projections 137, 137’, are retained by axially extending projecting portions 135p (between the recesses 135) on the peripheral rim 133 of the locking rim 125 and the weight lifting device 23 cannot be raised from the base 25.

[0074] When the weight lifting device 23 is raised from the base 25, the projection 137 on the base no longer contacts the safety lock 115 and no longer compresses the spring 124 so the safety lock plate 107 and safety lock are moved downward in the recess 111 under the force of the spring, and the tab 117 on the safety lock is able to extend into one of the axially extending recesses 135 in the peripheral rim 133 of the locking rim 125 so that the locking rim, the outer driving tube 75, and the driving tube 55 are non-rotatable relative to the inner bracket 91. The inner bracket 91 and the safety lock plate 107 can be retained from moving axially along the driving tube 55 or the outer driving tube by the axially inner surface 89 of the inner bracket around the hole 93 abutting an axially outer surface of the sun gear 65 and the axially outer surface 109 of the inner bracket around the hole 93 abutting an axially inner surface 139 of the locking rim 125 around the hole 127. The safety lock plate 107 will then be sandwiched between the locking rim 125 and the inner bracket 91 but radially movable within the confines of the recess 111 in the axially outer surface 109 of the inner bracket.

[0075] AuxiliaryWeight Locks

[0076] With reference to FIGS. 9-12, a middle bracket 141 includes a hole 143 (FIG. 10) through which the outer driving tube 75 (FIG. 7C) extends and is rotatable relative to the outer driving tube. The middle bracket 141 has an axially inner surface 145 (FIG. 10) and an axially outer surface 147 (FIG. 11). The axially inner surface 145 includes a pair of first tracks 149 (FIG. 10) in which first auxiliary weight locks 151 are adapted to slide radially inwardly and outwardly, and first openings 153 at radially outer ends of the first tracks for guiding the first auxiliary weight locks. Second auxiliary weight locks 157 (FIG. 12) are radially slidable inwardly and outwardly in a pair of second tracks 155 (FIGS. 5 and 12) on an axially inner surface 191 of an outer bracket 193 (FIG. 12), and second openings 159 extend axially outward from the axially outer surface of the middle bracket 141 for guiding the second auxiliary weight locks. The outer bracket 193 includes a hole 195 through which the center tube 57 extends and is non-rotatably mounted to the center tube, such as by pins or bolts extending through holes in the outer bracket and into corresponding holes in the center tube, and rotatable relative to the outer driving tube 75.

[0077] In a presently preferred aspect, as seen in FIG. 11, the axially outer surface 161 of the locking rim 125 includes a first cam groove 163. As seen in FIG. 10, the first auxiliary weight locks 151 each include a radially extending first main body 165 that is disposed in and radially movable relative to a corresponding one of the first tracks 149 and an axially extending first pin 167 near a radially inner end of the first main body that is received in the first cam groove 163. The radially outer end of each first main body 165 extends into one of the first openings 153. In operation of the weight lifting apparatus, as the outer driving tube 75 to which the locking rim 125 is attached is rotated relative to the middle bracket 141, the first pin 167 follows the first cam groove 163 in the locking rim which causes the first main body 165 to move radially inward and outward so that the first auxiliary lock 151 functions as a cam follower. When the first main body 165 of each first auxiliary weight lock 151 is moved radially outward, its radially outer end can be received in a radially extending opening 169 (FIGS. 4A1 and 4A2) on an inner peripheral surface 171 of the first auxiliary weights 51, 51 ’ to secure the first auxiliary weights to the weight lifting device 23.

[0078] In a presently preferred aspect, as seen in FIG. 12, a gear 173 has a central hole 175 with a plurality of radially inwardly extending protrusions 177 that are received in the axially extending recesses 131 of the outer driving tube 75 (FIG. 7C) when the outer driving tube extends through the central hole of the gear and, in this way, the gear is non-rotatable relative to the outer driving tube. The gear 173 is disposed axially between the middle bracket 141 and the outer bracket 193. The axially outer surface 179 of the gear 173 includes a second cam groove 181. The second auxiliary weight locks 157 each include a radially extending second main body 183 that is disposed in and radially movable relative to a corresponding one of the second tracks 155 on the axially inner surface 191 of the outer bracket 193 and an axially extending second pin 185 near a radially inner end of the second main body that is received in the second cam groove 181. The radially outer end of each second main body 183 extends into the one of the second openings 159 at the radially outer end of one of the second tracks 155. In operation of the weight lifting apparatus, as the outer driving tube 75 to which the gear 173 is non-rotatably attached is rotated relative to the middle bracket 141, the second pin 185 follows the second cam groove 181 in the gear which causes the second main body 183 to move radially inward and outward so that the second auxiliary lock 157 functions as a cam follower. When the second main body 183 of each second auxiliary weight lock 157 is moved outward, its radially outer end can be received in a radially extending opening 187 (FIGS. 4B1 and 4B2) on an inner peripheral surface 189 of the second auxiliary weights 53, 53’ to secure the second auxiliary weights to the weight lifting device 23.

[0079] The first cam groove 163 and the second cam groove 181 can be shaped to cause the first auxiliary weight locks 151 and the second auxiliary weight locks 157 to secure the first auxiliary weights 51, 51’ and the second auxiliary weights 53, 53’ according to a desired sequence. In a presently preferred aspect, the first cam groove 163 is shaped to move the first main bodies 165 of the first auxiliary weight locks 151 radially outward into the radially extending openings 169 of the first auxiliary weights 51, 51’ to thereby secure the first auxiliary weights to the weight lifting device 23 when the driving tube 55 and the outer driving tube 75 are turned 45° relative to the housings 29, 29’, and then to move the first main bodies 165 of the first auxiliary weight locks 151 radially inward and out of the radially extending openings 169 to thereby release the first auxiliary weights 51, 51’ from the weight lifting device 23 when the driving tube 55 and the outer driving tube 75 are turned through another 45° relative to the housings 29, 29’. Thus, for each 360° rotation of the driving tube 55 and the outer driving tube 75 relative to the housings 29, 29’, the first auxiliary weight locks 151 will be alternate between being moved radially outward and radially inward four times for each 45° of rotation.

[0080] In a presently preferred aspect, the second cam groove 181 is shaped to move the second main bodies 183 of the second auxiliary weight locks 157 radially outward into the radially extending openings 187 of the second auxiliary weights 53, 53’ to thereby secure the second auxiliary weights to the weight lifting device 23 when the driving tube 55 and the outer driving tube 75 are rotated through 45°, keep the second main bodies 183 of the second auxiliary weight locks 157 in the radially outward position and in the radially extending openings 187 of the second auxiliary weights 53, 53’ when the driving tube 55 and the outer driving tube 75 are turned through the next 45° of rotation, then move the second main bodies of the second auxiliary weight locks radially inwardly and out of the radially extending openings 187 of the second auxiliary weights to thereby release the second auxiliary weights from the weight lifting device through the next two 45° of rotation. Thus, for each 360° of rotation, the second auxiliary weight locks 157 will alternate between being moved radially outward for two consecutive 45° of rotation, moved radially inward for the next two consecutive 45° of rotation, moved radially outward for the next two consecutive 45° of rotation, and then moved radially inward for the final two consecutive 45° of rotation.

[0081] With the first cam groove 163 and the second cam groove 181 according to the presently preferred aspect, the first cam groove and the second cam groove can be oriented relative to each other for the first auxiliary weight locks 151 and the second auxiliary weight locks 157 to release and secure the first auxiliary weights 51, 51 ’ and the second auxiliary weights 53, 53 upon rotation of the handle 27 (including the driving tube 55 and the outer driving tube 75) according to the following sequence shown in TABLE 1: This optional sequence is presently believed to be particularly advantageous for facilitating incremental weight increases or decreases on the weight lifting device when the first auxiliary weights 51, 51’ are approximately one half the weight (e.g., 2 kg) of the second auxiliary weights 53, 53’ (e.g., 4 kg) and the second auxiliary weights are approximately one half the weight of a weight disks 37 (e.g., 8 kg). It will be appreciated that the first cam groove and the second cam groove can be shaped differently to cause auxiliary weights to be secured to the weight lifting device according to other sequences. It will be further appreciated that the first and second auxiliary weight pairs can be secured or released from the weight lifting device upon turning the driving tube and the outer driving tube relative to the housings through some angular increments other than 45°.

[0082] Drive Arrangement for Weight Lifting Device

[0083] In a presently preferred aspect, as seen, for example, in FIGS. 12 and 13, the axially outer surface 179 of the gear 173 includes a hypoid gear 199 at the outer edge of the gear. The outer bracket 193 includes a radially extending opening 201 extending between two flat surfaces 202 from one side of the outer bracket and in which an axle 203 (FIG. 13) that extends through the opening 201 and corresponding openings 204 (e.g., FIGS. 6 and 7C) in the center tube 57 is mounted and non-rotatably attaches the outer bracket to the center tube 57. As seen in FIG. 13, a hypoid pinion gear 205 is non-rotatably attached to the axle 203 and meshes with the hypoid gear 199 so that, when the driving tube 55 and the outer driving tube 75 are rotated relative to the housings 29, 29’, the gear 173 and its hypoid gear 199 that are non-rotatably mounted on the driving tube rotate and, in turn, rotate the hypoid pinion gear 205 about an axis perpendicular to the axis of the gear 173.

[0084] A crank 207 as seen in FIGS. 14A and 14B is non-rotatably mounted on the axle 203 (FIG. 13) and is disposed in the center tube 57. A longitudinally extending pin 209 as seen in FIG. 15A is disposed in the center tube 57 in engagement with the crank 207. Upon rotation of the driving tube 55 and the outer driving tube 75 relative to the housings 29, 29’, the gear 173 and its hypoid gear 199 that are non-rotatably mounted on the driving tube rotate and, in turn, rotate the hypoid pinion gear 205 and the crank 207, which moves the pin 209 axially relative to the center tube 57. When the pin 209 is moved axially outward relative to the center tube 57, it enters the hole 41 in one or more of the weight disks 37 to prevent radial movement of those weight disks relative to the weight lifting device 23. As the weight disks 37 are already prevented from moving axially relative to one another by the protrusions 45 and recesses 47, the weight disks into which the pin 209 extends can be lifted from the base 25 with the weight lifting device 23. As an alternative to the illustrated crank 207, if desired, the crank can be a pinion gear for continuously driving a rack with teeth corresponding to those on the pinion gear upon rotation of the axle 203 as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 8,784,283, which is incorporated by reference.

[0085] So that the pins 209 in the housings 29, 29’ are moved in opposite directions, one (e.g., the left side) hypoid pinion gear 205 is on the top one of the flat surfaces 202 of one of the (e.g., left) outer brackets 193 and the other (e.g., the right side) hypoid pinion gear 205 is on the on the bottom one of the flat surfaces 202 of the other one of the (e.g., right) outer brackets 193.

[0086] In a presently preferred aspect, the crank 207 and the pin 209 comprise a linear Geneva mechanism for converting rotational motion of the driving gear into intermittent and incremental linear motion of the pin. As seen in FIGS. 14A-14B, according to a presently preferred aspect, the crank 207 includes a central body 211 having a first side 213 from which a first peg 215 protrudes at a distance from a hole 217 through which the axle 203 extends and a first blocking disk 219 having the shape of an arc of a circle centered around the hole 217. The crank 207 further includes a second side 221 from which a second peg 223 protrudes at a distance from the hole 217 and a second blocking disk 225 having the shape of an arc of a circle centered around the hole. The first blocking disk 219 and the second blocking disk 225 are ordinarily identical and surround the same portion of the hole 217 as each other. The first peg 215 and the second peg 223 are ordinarily identical to each other but disposed at different angular positions around the hole 217.

[0087] As seen in FIG. 15 A, in a presently preferred aspect of the pin 209 includes an elongated, generally half-circular shaft 227 having a longitudinal groove 229 along a flat side 231 thereof in which a slider component 233 is secured by any suitable means, such as by adhesive, or one or more pins 234 (FIG. 5), rivets, or bolts. The shaft and slider component can be made as a single piece, however, it is presently believed to be simpler and more economical to make them as separate components that are thereafter attached to each other.

[0088] The slider component 233 ordinarily does not extend an entire length of the shaft 227 but, rather, only extends over some or all of that portion of the pin 209 that will be able to extend outside of the weight lifting device 23 when the pin is in a fully extended position. In this way, a portion of the pin 209 that does not extend outside of the weight lifting device can overlap the pin on the opposite of the weight lifting device when the pins are in fully retracted positions, permitting the pins to be of greater length than if there was no overlap and permitting the pins to secure more weight disks 37 to the weight lifting device. The pins may, however, be sized so that they do not overlap when in retracted positions.

[0089] As seen in FIGS. 15B-15D, the slider component 233 according to a presently preferred aspect includes a first slider component rack 235 with a plurality of first slots 237 for engaging with the first peg 215 and a second slider component rack 239 with a plurality of second slots 241 for engaging with the second peg 223. An elongated slot 243 (FIG. 15C) in which the central body 211 of the crank 207 is adapted to be rotated is disposed between the first slider component rack 235 and the second slider component rack 239. A first radiused blocking region 245 having a radius approximately equal to the radius of the first blocking disk 219 is disposed along the first slider component rack 235 between successive ones of the slots 237. A second radiused blocking region 247 having a radius approximately equal to the radius of the second blocking disk 225 is disposed along the second slider component rack 239 between successive ones of the slots 241.

[0090] The plurality of slots 237 and 241 are non-perpendicular to an axial length of the slider component 233. Centerlines of the slots 237 form a first angle relative to a line perpendicular to the length of the slider component 233 and centerlines of the slots 241 form a second angle relative to the line perpendicular to the length of the slider component, the second angle being equal to the first angle but on an opposite side of the line perpendicular to the length of the slider component 233. It will be appreciated that, due to the different angular positions of the first peg 215 and the second peg 223 around the hole 217, one of the first peg or the second peg will lead the other peg depending upon which direction the crank 207 is rotated. The distances of the first and second pegs 215 and 223 and their angular orientation relative to each other and to the first and second blocking disks 219 and 225, the angular length of the blocking disks, the first and second angles of the slots 237 and 241, and the radial length of the first and second radiused blocking regions 247 are selected so that when a leading peg is received in one of the slots in its slider component rack and the crank 207 turns to advance or retract the pin 209 relative to the rest of the weight lifting device 23, the following peg will, at the same time, be able to be received in one of the slots in its slider component rack and, as the following peg then moves into a position to advance or retract the pin, the leading peg will be able to exit the slot that it had been in. Additionally, immediately upon rotation of the crank 207 to a position in which neither the leading peg nor following peg are disposed in slots in their corresponding slider component racks, the blocking disks will be disposed in the radiused blocking regions of their corresponding slider component racks, with the surfaces of one of the blocking disks and its radiused blocking region preventing axial movement of the pin 209 in one axial direction and surfaces of the other one of the blocking disks and its radiused blocking region preventing axial movement of the in an opposite axial direction.

[0091] It will be appreciated that a linear Geneva mechanism with a crank having a single peg and a single blocking disk and a pin with a single slider component rack with slots that are, e.g., perpendicular to an axial length of the pin might be used, the presently preferred aspect with a crank having two pins and two blocking disks and a pin with two slider component racks offers advantages including permitting the crank to be of a smaller diameter while still being able to advance or retract the pin a significant distance.

[0092] In a presently preferred weight lifting device 23 to which two pairs of auxiliary weights 51, 51 ’ and 53, 53’ are attachable upon rotation of the driving tube 55 and outer driving tube 75 relative to the housings 29, 29’ according to the sequence shown in TABLE 2 and as illustrated in FIGS. 16A1-4 through FIGS. 16F1-4, the drive arrangement in the form of an intermittently advanced pin 209 will ordinarily advance or retract the pin one increment (equal in length to one half of the thickness of a weight disk 37) every time that the driving tube and the outer driving tube are turned through 90°. In the presently preferred aspect, the crank 207 turns through an angle that is four times the angle through which the handle 27 (including the driving tube 55 and outer driving tube 57) is turned relative to the housings 29, 29’. In the presently preferred aspect, the initial, fully retracted position of the pin 209 (shown in FIGS. 16A1-4) is recessed one increment, i.e., one half the thickness of a weight disk 37, from the axially outer surfaces 49, 49’ of the housings 29, 29’ against which the axially innermost weight disk will be placed. Innermost ones of the weight disks 37 are not secured to the handle 27 until the pins extend beyond the outer surfaces 49, 49’ of the housings 29, 29’, which occurs after the handle has been rotated through 180° relative to the housings and the pins extend one half of the thickness of a weight plate beyond the outer surfaces of the housings. The next innermost ones of the weight disks 37 will not be secured to the handle 27 until the pins extend beyond the axially outermost surface of the axially innermost weight disks, which occurs after the handle has been rotated through 360° relative to the housings 29, 29’ and the pins extend one and one half plate thicknesses beyond the outer surfaces 49, 49’ of the housings. In such a weight lifting apparatus 21 to which, for example, four pairs of weight disks 37 (as seen in FIGS. 16F1-4) are attachable to the weight lifting device 23, the auxiliary weight pairs and weight disks may be attached according to the following schedule:

[0093] It will be appreciated that more or fewer than four weight disk pairs can be attached to a weight lifting device as desired. It will be further appreciated that the first and second auxiliary weight pairs and the weight disk pairs can be secured or released from the weight lifting device upon turning the driving tube and the outer driving tube relative to the housings through some angular increments other than 45°.

[0094] As seen, for example, in FIGS. 5 and 13, a half-circular guide 249 with a longitudinally extending groove 251 in a flat surface 253 of the guide is ordinarily attached inside an end of the center tube 57 opposite the half-circular shaft 227 of the pin 209 to keep the pin aligned in the center tube. The groove 251 is of at least sufficient depth, length, and width to permit the crank 207 to be rotated. The guide 249 can be secured in position by one or more attachment structures such as pins or bolts that also secure the outer bracket 193 to the center tube 57. In a presently preferred aspect, as seen in FIG. 17A, radially extending holes 255 in the outer bracket 193 and radially extending holes 257 (e.g., FIG. 7C) in the center tube 57 receive pins 259 for securing the outer bracket to the center tube and, as seen in FIG. 17B, are held in place by axially extending plugs 261 in axially extending holes 263 in the outer bracket. The plugs 261 are held in place by the weight plate 271 (e.g., FIG. 18C). At least one of the pins 259 can also extend into at least one hole (not shown) in the guide 249 to retain the guide in place relative to the center tube 57.

[0095] Cover and Integrated Weight Plate

[0096] As seen in FIGS. 18A-18B, the cover 61 and a back cover 267 can enclose the components from the axially inner surface of the sun gear 65 (e.g., FIG. 6) to the axially outer side 197 of the outer bracket 193. The back cover 267 can be attached to the cover 61 by any suitable means, such as screws or bolts extending through holes in the back cover into holes in the cover. As seen in FIG. 18C, an axially inner side 269 of a weight plate 271 can be attached to the cover 61 and the back cover 267 by suitable means such as bolts or screws 273 extending through holes 281 in the weight plate, holes 275 in the back cover, and into holes 277 in the cover (and holes 279 in the outer bracket 193), thereby simultaneously securing the weight plate, the back cover, and the cover together. The weight plate 271 will ordinarily have a protrusion 45 and a recess 47 on an axially outer side of the weight plate for mating with a corresponding recess 47 and protrusion 45, respectively, on an adjacent weight disk 37. The axially outer sides of each weight plate 271 can form the axially outer surfaces of the housing 49, 49’. The axially inner side 269 of each weight plate 271 ordinarily will not include a protrusion to avoid interference with any auxiliary weight or a portion of the base 25.

[0097] The cover 61 includes the opening 61 i for displaying the indicia on the ring gear 81. In addition, the cover includes openings 61a on opposite sides of the cover that align with the openings first and second openings 153 and 159 on the middle bracket 141 through which the ends of the first and second main bodies 165 and 183 of the first and second auxiliary weight locks 151 and 157, respectively, are adapted to extend so that the ends of the first and second main bodies can be received in the corresponding openings of the first and second auxiliary weights 51, 51’ and 53, 53’, respectively. Further, the cover 61 includes an opening 611 (FIGS. 11-13) through which the upwardly extending projections 137, 137’ on the seats 33, 33’ of the base 25 are able to extend to disengage the safety lock 115 when the weight lifting device 23 is seated in the base.

[0098] Operation of Wei ht Lifting Apparatus

[0099] Operation of a presently preferred aspect of the weight lifting apparatus 21 shall now be described. When the weight lifting device 23 is properly seated in the base 25 as seen in FIG. 1, the upwardly extending projections 137 and 137’ on the base extend through openings 611 in the covers 61 of the housings 29, 29’ and moves the safety lock plate 107 and safety lock 115 upward in the recess 111 in the axially outer surface 109 of the inner bracket 91 against the force of the spring 124. The tab 117 on the safety lock is thereby moved radially inward of the peripheral rim 133 of the locking rim 125 so that the locking rim, the outer driving tube 75, and the driving tube 55 are rotatable relative to the inner bracket 91 and the handle 27 is rotatable relative to the housings 29, 29’ so that the pins 209 can be extended or retracted relative to the rest of the weight lifting device 23.

[0100] In an initial position, the pins 209 of the weight lifting device 23 are fully retracted, as shown in FIG. 16A1-16A4, in which the axially outer ends of the pins are disposed one half of the thickness of a weight disk 37 inward of the axially outer surfaces 49, 49’ of the housings 29, 29’. The pins 209 are extended axially outwardly upon rotation of the handle 27 relative to the housings 29, 29’. The driving tube 55 of the handle 27 is non-rotatably connected to the outer driving tube 75 to which the gear 173 is non-rotatably attached and turning of the handle turns the gear 173 which, in turn, turns the hypoid pinion gear 205 and the crank 207 which are both non-rotatably mounted on the axle 203.

[0101] Upon turning the handle 45° relative to the housings 29, 29’, the crank 207 turns through 180°. During this 180° of rotation, the pegs 215 and 223 on the crank 207 are initially in a position in which they are disengaged or substantially disengaged from any of the first or second slots 237 or 241 of the first and second slider component racks 235 and 239 on the pins 209 and end in a position in which they are engaging or starting to engage the first and second slots. During this first 180° of rotation of the crank 207, the first and second blocking disks 219 and 225 on the crank are initially in a position in which they are received or beginning to be received in the first and second blocking regions 245 and 247 on the first and second slider component racks 235 and 239 on the pins 209 so that axial movement of the pins is prevented and end in a position in which they have exited or are about to exit the blocking regions.

[0102] In the initial 0° position, the first auxiliary weight lock 151 and the second auxiliary weight lock 157 are in retracted positions so that they are not received in the radially extending openings 169 on the first auxiliary weights 51, 51’ or the radially extending openings 187 of the second auxiliary weights 53, 53’. The indexing ball 101 is received in one of the plurality of holes 105 in the outer driving tube 75.

[0103] When the handle 27 including the driving tube 55 and outer driving tube 75 have been rotated through the first 45° (seen in FIGS. 16B1-16B4), on each outer driving tube two of the holes 105 in the outer driving tube are aligned with two index balls 101 at 45° from the initial set of holes and are urged into the holes by the springs 97 and provide an indication of proper positioning of the driving tube and outer driving tube relative to the inner bracket 91 and other components of the weight lifting device 23 that do not rotate with the driving tube and the outer driving tube, and provide some minimal resistance against further rotation of the driving tube and the outer driving tube until the force with which the springs urge the index balls into the holes can be overcome. The index balls 101 start in holes 105 at a first or 0° indexing position and end in holes at a second or 45° indexing position.

[0104] When the handle 27 including the driving tube 55 and outer driving tube 75 have been rotated through the first 45°, the first auxiliary weight lock 151 is moved radially outward to secure the first auxiliary weights to the weight lifting device 23. The axially extending first pin 167 of the first auxiliary weight locks 151 that is received in the first cam groove 163 follows the first cam groove to a radially outer position and the radially outer end of each first main body 165 extends into one of the first openings 153 of the first auxiliary weights 51, 51’.

[0105] When the handle 27 including the driving tube 55 and outer driving tube 75 have been rotated through the first 45°, the axially extending second pin 185 of the second auxiliary weight lock 157 in the second cam groove 181 on the gear 173 starts at a radially inner position of the second cam groove and follows the second cam groove to a second position that is also at a radially inner position such that the radially outer end of each second main body 183 of the second auxiliary weight lock remains retracted and does not extend into the one of the second openings 159 of the second auxiliary weights 53, 53’.

[0106] When the handle 27 including the driving tube 55 and outer driving tube 75 have been rotated through the second 45°, i.e. a total of 90° from the fully retracted position (seen in FIGS. 16C1-16C4), the crank 207 rotates through another 180°, i.e. a total of 360°, and the pegs 215 and 223 on the crank 207 are initially in a position in which they are engaged or about to engage the first or second slots 237 or 241 of the first and second slider component racks 235 and 239 on the pins 209 and end in a position in which they are disengaged or starting to disengage the first and second slots, having advanced the pins one half of the thickness of a weight plate 37 so that axially outer ends of the pins are about even with the axially outer surfaces 49, 49’ of the housings 29, 29’. The first and second blocking disks 219 and 225 on the crank are initially in a position in which they are not received or beginning to not be received in the first and second blocking regions 245 and 247 on the first and second slider component racks 235 and 239 on the pins 209 so that axial movement of the pins is permitted and end in a position in which they are received in or are about to be received in the blocking regions.

[0107] When the handle 27 including the driving tube 55 and outer driving tube 75 have been rotated through the second 45°, the indexing balls 101 are initially forced out of the holes 105 in the outer driving tube 75 against the force of the springs 97 until the handle reaches the next set of holes at 45° from the previous set of holes, i.e. 90° from the initial set of holes, at which time the indexing balls are forced into this next set of holes to index the handle relative to housings 29, 29’ at the third indexing position.

[0108] When the handle 27 including the driving tube 55 and outer driving tube 75 have been rotated through the second 45°, the first auxiliary weight lock 151 is moved radially inward to release the first auxiliary weights from the weight lifting device 23. The axially extending first pin 167 of the first auxiliary weight locks 151 that is received in the first cam groove 163 follows the first cam groove to a radially inner position and the radially outer end of each first main body 165 does not extend into one of the first openings 153 of the first auxiliary weights 51, 51’.

[0109] When the handle 27 including the driving tube 55 and outer driving tube 75 have been rotated through the second 45°, the axially extending second pin 185 of the second auxiliary weight lock 157 in the second cam groove 181 on the gear 173 starts at a radially inner position of the second cam groove and follows the second cam groove to a radially outer position such that the radially outer end of each second main body 183 of the second auxiliary weight lock extends outwardly does extend into the one of the second openings 159 at the radially outer end of one of the second tracks 155 to secure the second auxiliary weights 53, 53’ to the weight lifting device 23.

[0110] When the handle 27 including the driving tube 55 and outer driving tube 75 have been rotated through the third 45° (seen in FIGS. 16D1-16D4), the crank 207 turns through 180°. During this 180° of rotation, the pegs 215 and 223 on the crank 207 are initially in a position in which they are disengaged or substantially disengaged from any of the first or second slots 237 or 241 of the first and second slider component racks 235 and 239 on the pins 209 and end in a position in which they are engaging or starting to engage the first and second slots. During this first 180° of rotation of the crank 207, the first and second blocking disks 219 and 225 on the crank are initially in a position in which they are received or beginning to be received in the first and second blocking regions 245 and 247 on the first and second slider component racks 235 and 239 on the pins 209 so that axial movement of the pins is prevented and end in a position in which they have exited or are about to exit the blocking regions. When the handle 27 including the driving tube 55 and outer driving tube 75 have been rotated through the third 45°, the indexing balls 101 are initially forced out of the holes 105 in the outer driving tube 75 against the force of the springs 97 until the handle reaches the next set of holes at 135° from the initial set of holes, at which time the indexing balls are forced into this next set of holes to index the handle relative to housings 29, 29’ at the third indexing position.

[0111] When the handle 27 including the driving tube 55 and outer driving tube 75 have been rotated through the third 45°, the first auxiliary weight lock 151 is moved radially outward to secure the first auxiliary weights to the weight lifting device 23. The axially extending first pin 167 of the first auxiliary weight locks 151 that is received in the first cam groove 163 follows the first cam groove to a radially outer position and the radially outer end of each first main body 165 extends into one of the first openings 153 of the first auxiliary weights 51, 51’.

[0112] When the handle 27 including the driving tube 55 and outer driving tube 75 have been rotated through the third 45°, the axially extending second pin 185 of the second auxiliary weight lock 157 in the second cam groove 181 on the gear 173 starts at a radially inner position of the second cam groove and follows the second cam groove to a radially outer position such that the radially outer end of each second main body 183 of the second auxiliary weight lock extends outwardly does extend into the one of the second openings 159 at the radially outer end of one of the second tracks 155 to secure the second auxiliary weights 53, 53’ to the weight lifting device 23.

[0113] When the handle 27 including the driving tube 55 and outer driving tube 75 have been rotated through the a fourth 45°, i.e. a total of 180° from the fully retracted position (seen in FIGS. 16E1-16E4), the crank 207 rotates through another 180°, i.e. a total of 360°, and the pegs 215 and 223 on the crank 207 are initially in a position in which they are engaged or about to engage the first or second slots 237 or 241 of the first and second slider component racks 235 and 239 on the pins 209 and end in a position in which they are disengaged or starting to disengage the first and second slots, having advanced the pins a second one half of the thickness of a weight plate 37 so that axially outer ends of the pins extend about one half of the thickness of a weight disk 37 past the axially outer surfaces 49, 49’ of the housings 29, 29’ and into holes 41 in adjacent weight disks, thereby securing the weight disks to the weight lifting device 23. The first and second blocking disks 219 and 225 on the crank are initially in a position in which they are not received or beginning to not be received in the first and second blocking regions 245 and 247 on the first and second slider component racks 235 and 239 on the pins 209 so that axial movement of the pins is permitted and end in a position in which they are received in or are about to be received in the blocking regions.

[0114] When the handle 27 including the driving tube 55 and outer driving tube 75 have been rotated through the fourth 45°, the indexing balls 101 are initially forced out of the holes 105 in the outer driving tube 75 against the force of the springs 97 until the handle reaches the next set of holes at 180° from the initial set of holes, at which time the indexing balls are forced into this next set of holes to index the handle relative to housings 29, 29’ at the fourth indexing position.

[0115] When the handle 27 including the driving tube 55 and outer driving tube 75 have been rotated through the fourth 45°, the first auxiliary weight lock 151 is moved radially inward to release the first auxiliary weights from the weight lifting device 23. The axially extending first pin 167 of the first auxiliary weight locks 151 that is received in the first cam groove 163 follows the first cam groove to a radially inner position and the radially outer end of each first main body 165 does not extend into one of the first openings 153 of the first auxiliary weights 51, 51’. When the handle 27 including the driving tube 55 and outer driving tube 75 have been rotated through the fourth 45°, the axially extending second pin 185 of the second auxiliary weight lock 157 in the second cam groove 181 on the gear 173 starts at a radially outer position of the second cam groove and follows the second cam groove to a second position that is at a radially inner position such that the radially outer end of each second main body 183 of the second auxiliary weight lock is retracted and does not extend into the one of the second openings 159 of the second auxiliary weights 53, 53’.

[0116] As the handle 27 continues to be rotated relative to the housings 29, 29’, the foregoing series of movements of the crank 207, the indexing balls 101, the pins 209, the first and second auxiliary weight locks 151 and 157 are repeated in the sequence described until a desired number of weight disks 37 and auxiliary weights 51, 51’ and 53, 53’ have been secured to the weight lifting device 23.

[0117] Upon lifting the weight lifting device 23 from the base 25, the upwardly extending projections 137 and 137’ on the base are removed from the openings 611 in the covers 61 of the housings 29, 29’ and the safety lock plate 107 and safety lock 115 move downward in the recess 111 in the axially outer surface 109 of the inner bracket 91 under the force of the spring 124. The tab 117 on the safety lock is thereby moved radially into an axially extending recess 135 of the peripheral rim 133 of the locking rim 125 so that the locking rim, the outer driving tube 75, and the driving tube 55 are not rotatable relative to the inner bracket 91 and the handle 27 is not rotatable relative to the housings 29, 29’ so that the pins 209 cannot be extended or retracted relative to the rest of the weight lifting device 23.

[0118] Summary In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the weight lifting apparatus 21 can comprise the weight lifting device 23 which comprises the handle 27, a first cam 163 non- rotatably mounted on the handle 27, a second cam 181 non-rotatably mounted on the handle 27, a housing 29 rotatably mounted on the handle 27, the handle 27 being rotatable relative to the housing 29, a first cam follower 151 disposed in the housing 29 and in contact with a first cam surface of the first cam 163 and radially movable between a first cam follower retracted position and a first cam follower extended position, and a second cam follower 157 disposed in the housing 29 and in contact with a second cam 181 surface of the second cam 181 and radially movable between a second cam follower retracted position and second cam follower extended position. Upon rotation of the handle 27 relative to the housing 29 to a first position, the first cam follower 151 is in the first cam follower extended position.

[0119] The weight lifting apparatus 21 may further comprise a first weight 51 having a first axially extending opening in which the handle 27 is receivable, the first weight 51 having a first radially extending opening 169, wherein, when the handle 27 is received in the first axially extending opening of the first weight 51 and the handle 27 is rotated relative to the housing 29 to the first position, at least a portion of the first cam follower 151 is received in the first radially extending opening 169 of the first weight 51. The weight lifting apparatus 21 may further comprise a second weight 53 having a second axially extending opening in which the handle 27 is receivable, the second weight 53 having a second radially extending opening 187, wherein, when the handle 27 is received in the second axially extending opening of the second weight 53 and the handle 27 is rotated relative to the housing 29 to a second position, at least a portion of the second cam follower 157 is received in the second radially extending opening 187 of the second weight 53. In such a weight lifting apparatus 21 upon rotation of the handle 27 relative to the housing 29 to a second position, the first cam follower 151 can be in the first cam follower retracted position. In such a weight lifting apparatus 21 upon rotation of the handle 27 relative to the housing 29 to the second position, the second cam follower 157 can be in the second cam follower extended position (or, alternatively, be in the second cam follower retracted position). In such a weight lifting apparatus 21 upon rotation of the handle 27 relative to the housing 29 to a third position, the first cam follower 151 can be in the first cam follower extended position and the second cam follower 157 is in the second cam follower extended position.

[0120] The weight lifting apparatus 21 can comprise the first weight 51 having a first axially extending opening in which the handle 27 is receivable, the first weight 51 having a first radially extending opening 169, and the second weight 53 having a second axially extending opening in which the handle 27 is receivable, the second weight 53 having a second radially extending opening 187, wherein, when the handle 27 is received in the first axially extending opening of the first weight 51 and in the second axially extending opening of the second weight 53 and the handle 27 is rotated relative to the housing 29 to the third position, at least a portion of the first cam follower 151 is received in the first radially extending opening 169 of the first weight 51 and at least a portion of the second cam follower 157 is received in the second radially extending opening 187 of the second weight 53. Upon rotation of the handle 27 relative to the housing 29 to a fourth position, the first cam follower 151 can be in the first cam follower retracted position and the second cam follower 157 can be in the second cam follower retracted position. In such a weight lifting apparatus 21, when the handle 27 is received in the first axially extending opening of the first weight 51 and in the second axially extending opening of the second weight 53 and the handle 27 is rotated relative to the housing 29 to the fourth position, no portion of the first cam follower 151 is received in the first radially extending opening 169 of the first weight 51 and no portion of the second cam follower 157 is received in the second radially extending opening 187 of the second weight 53.

[0121] It will be appreciated that the weight lifting apparatus 21 can, alternatively, be configured such that, upon rotation of the handle 27 relative to the housing 29 to a third position, the first cam follower 151 can be in the first cam follower retracted position while the second cam follower 157 can in the second cam follower retracted position and, when the handle 27 is received in the first axially extending opening of the first weight 51 and in the second axially extending opening of the second weight 53 and the handle 27 is rotated relative to the housing 29 to the third position, no portion of the first cam follower 151 is received in the first radially extending opening 169 of the first weight 51 and no portion of the second cam follower 157 is received in the second radially extending opening 187 of the second weight 53.

[0122] Regardless of rotational positions of the handle 27, the weight lifting apparatus 21 according to aspects of the present invention can comprise a first weight 51 having a first axially extending opening in which the handle 27 is receivable, the first weight 51 having a first radially extending opening 169, at least a portion of the first cam follower 151 being receivable in the first radially extending opening 169 when the handle 27 is received in the first axially extending opening. Such a weight lifting apparatus 21 may further comprise a second weight 53 having a second axially extending opening in which the handle 27 is receivable, the second weight 53 having a second radially extending opening 187, at least a portion of the second cam follower 157 being receivable in the second radially extending opening 187 when the handle 27 is received in the second axially extending opening.

[0123] In a presently preferred aspect of the weight lifting apparatus 21 the first cam 163 has at least one first cam lobe and the second cam 181 has at least one cam lobe, and the first cam 163 and the second cam 181 have a different number of cam lobes. A point at a maximum distance from a center axis of the handle 27 on at least one of the at least one first cam lobes and a point at a maximum distance from the center axis of the handle 27 on at least one of the at least one second cam lobes are disposed at a same angular position relative to the center axis of the handle 27. The first cam follower 151 and the second cam follower 157 can be disposed in the housing 29 at different axial positions along a longitudinal axis of the housing 29. The first cam 163 may have more (or fewer) cam lobes than the second cam 181.

[0124] At different axial positions along the handle 27 than the first cam 163, the second cam 181, and the housing 29, a second first cam (the same as the first cam 163) can be non-rotatably mounted on the handle 27, a second second cam (the same as the second cam 181) can be non- rotatably mounted on the handle 27, and a second housing 29’ is rotatably mounted on the handle 27. The first cam 163 and the second cam 181 can be mounted on the handle 27 at different axial positions from each other along the longitudinal axis of the handle 27, and the second first cam and the second second cam can be mounted on the handle 27 at different axial positions from each other along the longitudinal axis of the handle 27. The first cam 163 can have more (or fewer) cam lobes than the second cam 181. The first cam 163 and the second first cam can be mounted on the handle 27 axially between the second cam 181 and the second second cam.

[0125] In a presently preferred aspect of the weight lifting apparatus 21 the first cam follower 151 includes a pin 167 extending in a direction of a longitudinal axis of the handle 27, and the first cam 163 includes a groove 163 in which the pin 167 is received. Similarly, in a presently preferred aspect of the weight lifting apparatus 21 the second cam follower 157 includes a second pin 185 extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the handle 27, and the second cam 181 includes a second groove 181 in which the second pin 185 is received. A weight lifting device 23 according to the invention can comprise the elongated handle 27, the housing 29, the handle 27 being rotatably attached at an end thereof to the housing 29, the axially extending opening extending through the housing 29 and the handle 27, and the axially extending pin 209 disposed in and axially movable relative to the axially extending opening, the handle 27, the housing 29, and the pin 209 being linked so that rotation of the handle 27 relative to the housing 29 causes intermittent linear motion of the pin 209. In such a weight lifting device 23 a linear Geneva mechanism can be provided for converting rotational motion of the handle 27 relative to the housing 29 into intermittent linear motion of the pin 209.

[0126] A weight lifting device 23 according to a presently preferred aspect of the invention can comprise the elongated handle 27, a housing 29, the handle 27 being rotatably attached at an end thereof to the housing 29, an axially extending opening extending through the housing 29 and the handle 27, an axially extending rack 233 disposed in and axially movable relative to the axially extending opening, a first gear 173 non-rotatably attached to the handle 27, a second gear 205 non-rotatably mounted in the housing 29 on an axle 203 perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the handle 27 and in engagement with and drivable by the first gear 173, and a crank 207 non- rotatably mounted on the axle 203 and having at least one peg 215, 223 adapted to intermittently engage the rack 233 upon rotation of the axle 203. The crank 207 and the rack 233 can comprise a linear Geneva mechanism for converting rotational motion of the crank 207 into intermittent linear motion of the rack 233. The rack 233 can comprise an axially extending rail 235 with a plurality of slots 237, and the peg 215, 223 on the crank 207 is axially offset from the axle 203 and adapted to intermittently engage the crank 207 by being received in one of the plurality of slots 237 as the crank 207 is rotated to a first rotational position, exit the one of the plurality of slots 237 as the crank 207 is rotated to a second rotational position, and advance the rail 235 while the crank 207 is rotated from the first rotational position to the second rotational position. The rail 235 can include, between each pair of the plurality of slots 237, a radiused recess 245, and the crank 207 includes a protrusion 219, the protrusion 219 being received in the radiused recess 245 when the crank 207 is rotated from the second rotational position to the first rotational position. The protrusion 219 can be a radiused protrusion having a radius matching a radius of the radiused recess 245.

[0127] In a presently preferred aspect of the invention, the rack 233 comprises first and second axially extending rails 235, 239, each of the first and second rails 235, 239 comprising a plurality of slots 237, 241, and wherein the crank 207 comprises a first peg 215 axially offset from the axle 203 and adapted to be received in one of the plurality of slots 237 of the first rail 235 as the crank 207 is rotated to a first rotational position, exit the one of the plurality of slots 237 of the first rail 235 as the crank 207 is rotated to a second rotational position, and advance the first rail 235 while the crank 207 is rotated from the first rotational position to the second rotational, and a second peg 223 axially offset from the axle 203 and adapted to be received in one of the plurality of slots 241 of the second rail 239 as the crank 207 is rotated to a third rotational position, exit the one of the plurality of slots 241 of the second rail 239 as the crank 207 is rotated to a fourth rotational position, and advance the first rail while the crank 207 is rotated from the third rotational position to the fourth rotational position. The crank 207 can be in the third rotational position while the crank 207 is rotated from the first rotational position to the second rotational position. The crank 207 can be in the fourth rotational position while the crank 207 is rotated from the second rotational position to the first rotational position.

[0128] In a presently preferred aspect of the invention, the first and second rails 235, 239 each includes, between each pair of the plurality of slots 237, 241, a radiused recess 245, 247, and the crank 207 includes a first protrusion 219, the first protrusion 219 being received in one of the radiused recesses 245 in the first rail 235 when the crank 207 is rotated from the second rotational position to the first rotational position, and a second protrusion 225, the second protrusion 225 being received in one of the radiused recesses 247 in the second rail 239 when the crank 207 is rotated from the fourth rotational position to the third rotational position.

[0129] In a presently preferred aspect of the invention, central axes of the plurality of slots 237 in the first rail 235 are disposed at a first angle non-perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the rack 233, and central axes of the plurality of slots 241 in the second rail 239 are disposed at a second angle non-perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rack 233. The first angle and the second angle can be equal to each other and disposed on opposite sides of a line perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rack 233.

[0130] In a presently preferred aspect of the invention, the first rail 235 and the second rail 239 are separated by a longitudinal space 243, and the crank 207 comprises a disk 211 partially disposed in and rotatable in the longitudinal space 243, the first peg 215 extending from a first surface 213 of the disk 211, and the second peg 223 extending from a second, opposite surface 221 of the disk 211. In a presently preferred aspect of the invention, wherein the first and second rails 235, 239 each includes, between each pair of the plurality of slots 237, 241, a radiused recess 245, 247, and the crank 207 includes a first protrusion 219, the first protrusion 219 being received in one of the radiused recesses in the first rail 235 when the crank 207 is rotated from the second rotational position to the first rotational position, and a second protrusion, the second protrusion being received in one of the radiused recesses in the second rail 239 when the crank 207 is rotated from the fourth rotational position to the third rotational position. According to an aspect of the present invention, the weight lifting device 23 can comprising a second housing 29’ , the handle 27 being rotatably attached at a second end thereof to the second housing 29’, an axially extending opening extending through the housing 29, the handle 27, and the second housing 29’, with structure as in the housing 29, i.e. a second axially extending rack disposed in and axially movable relative to the axially extending opening, a third gear non-rotatably attached to the handle 27, a fourth gear non-rotatably mounted in the housing 29 on a second axle perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the handle 27 and in engagement with and drivable by the third gear, and a second crank non-rotatably mounted on the second axle and having at least one second peg adapted to intermittently engage the second rack upon rotation of the second axle. The second crank and the second rack can comprise a linear Geneva mechanism for converting rotational motion of the second crank into intermittent linear motion of the second rack.

[0131] According to an aspect of the invention, the weight lifting apparatus 21 can comprising a weight lifting device 23, the weight lifting device comprising an elongated handle 27, a housing 29, the handle 27 being rotatably attached at an end thereof to the housing 29, an axially extending opening extending through the housing 29 and the handle 27, an axially extending pin 209 disposed in and axially movable relative to the axially extending opening, a linear Geneva mechanism for converting rotational motion of the handle 27 relative to the housing 29 into intermittent linear motion of the pin 209, the linear Geneva mechanism comprising a crank 207 driven by rotation of the handle 27, the pin 209 comprising a slider drivable by the crank 207, and at least one weight disk 37 comprising a hole41, the at least one weight disk 37 being attachable to the housing 29 when the pin 209 is received in the hole 41. In a presently preferred aspect of the invention, one 360° rotation of the crank 207 can move the pin 209 one half of a thickness of the weight disk 37. In a presently preferred aspect of the invention, the pin 209 can be movable between a fully retracted position in which an axially outer end of the pin 209 is disposed axially inwardly of an axially outer surface of the housing 29 to a fully extended position in which the axially outer end of the pin 209 is disposed axially outwardly of the axially outer surface of the housing 29.

[0132] An adjustable weight lifting apparatus 21 according to an aspect of the invention includes a weight lifting device 23 comprising first and second axially outer surfaces 49, 49’, a plurality of weight disks 37 removably attachable to the first and second axially outer surfaces 49, 49’ of the weight lifting device 23 and to each other, each weight disk 37 comprising a main body portion, a protrusion 45 removably attachable to the main body portion, and a recess 47, the protrusion 45 of a first one of the plurality of weight disks 37 being adapted to be removably received in the recess 47 of a second one of the plurality of weight disks 37, the first and second ones of the plurality of weight disks 37 being radially movable but not axially movable relative to each other when the protrusion 45 of the first one of the plurality of weight disks 37 is received in the recess 47 of the second one of the plurality of weight disks 37.

[0133] The protrusion 45 of the second one of the plurality of weight disks 37 can be adapted to be removably received in the recess 47 of the first one of the plurality of weight disks 37 when the protrusion 45 of the first one of the plurality of weight disks 37 is removably received in the recess 47 of the second one of the plurality of weight disks 37.

[0134] The first and second axially outer surfaces 49, 49’ of the weight lifting device 23 can each include an axially outer surface protrusion 45 and an axially outer surface recess 47, the axially outer surface protrusions 45 of the first and second axially outer surfaces 49, 49’ being adapted to be removably received in the recess 47 of corresponding weight disks 37 of the plurality of weight disks 37, the weight lifting device 23 and the corresponding weight disks 37 being radially movable but not axially movable relative to one another when the axially outer surface protrusions 45 of the first and second axially outer surfaces 49, 49’ are received in the recesses 47 of the corresponding weight disks 37. The axially outer surface protrusions 45 of the first and second axially outer surfaces 49, 49’ can be removably attachable to the first and second axially outer surfaces 49, 49’ of the weight lifting device 23.

[0135] In a presently preferred embodiment of the adjustable weight lifting apparatus 21 the protrusion 45 on each weight disk 37 comprises a knob having a narrowest end closest to the main body portion and a wider end furthest from the main body portion. The recess 47 can include a narrowest end closest to an outer surface of the main body portion and a widest end axially inward of the outer surface of the main body. The protrusion 45 on each weight disk 37 can be removably attachable to the main body portion by a bolt. The recess 47 on each weight disk 37 can be provided in a component removably attachable to the main body portion. The recess 47 can include a narrowest end closest to an outer surface of the main body portion and a widest end axially inward of the outer surface of the main body.

[0136] A weight disk 37 for an adjustable weight lifting apparatus 21, the weight lifting apparatus being of a type that includes a plurality of weight disks 37 removably attachable to each other, can comprise a main body portion, a protrusion 45 removably attachable to the main body portion, and a recess 47, the protrusion 45 of the weight disk 37 being adapted to be removably received in the recess 47 of another one of the plurality of weight disks 37, the weight disk 37 and the other one of the plurality of weight disks 37 being radially movable but not axially movable relative to each other when the protrusion 45 of the weight disk 37 is received in the recess 47 of the other one of the plurality of weight disks 37. The protrusion 45 of the other one of the plurality of weight disks 37 can be adapted to be removably received in the recess 47 of the weight disks 37 when the protrusion 45 of the weight disk 37 is removably received in the recess 47 of the other one of the plurality of weight disks 37. The protrusion 45 on the weight disk 37 can comprise a knob having a narrowest end closest to the main body portion and a wider end furthest from the main body portion. The recess 47 can include a narrowest end closest to an outer surface of the main body portion and a widest end axially inward of the outer surface of the main body. The protrusion 45 on the weight disk 37 can removably attachable to the main body portion by a bolt. The recess 47 on each weight disk 37 can be provided in a component removably attachable to the main body portion. The recess 47 can include a narrowest end closest to an outer surface of the main body portion and a widest end axially inward of the outer surface of the main body.

[0137] In the present application, the use of terms such as “including” is open-ended and is intended to have the same meaning as terms such as “comprising” and not preclude the presence of other structure, material, or acts. Similarly, though the use of terms such as “can” or “may” is intended to be open-ended and to reflect that structure, material, or acts are not necessary, the failure to use such terms is not intended to reflect that structure, material, or acts are essential. To the extent that structure, material, or acts are presently considered to be essential, they are identified as such.

[0138] While this invention has been illustrated and described in accordance with a preferred embodiment, it is recognized that variations and changes may be made therein without departing from the invention as set forth in the claims. Reference Numbers

[0139] 21 weight lifting apparatus

[0140] 23 weight lifting device

[0141] 25 base

[0142] 27 handle

[0143] 29, 29’ housings

[0144] 31, 31 ’ ends of weight lifting device

[0145] 33, 33’ seats in base

[0146] 35, 35’ weight disk supporting areas in base

[0147] 37 weight disk

[0148] 37 e axially outermost weight disk

[0149] 37p plate on outermost weight disk

[0150] 39, 39’ opposite end supporting surfaces at ends of base

[0151] 41 hole in weight disk

[0152] 43 circumferential edge of weight disk

[0153] 45 protrusion on weight disk

[0154] 46 component on which protrusion and recess provided

[0155] 47 recess

[0156] 47b bolts for attaching component with recess

[0157] 49, 49’ axially outer surfaces of housings

[0158] 51, 51 ’ first pair of auxiliary weights

[0159] 52s, 52s’ seats in base for auxiliary weights

[0160] 53, 53’ second pair of auxiliary weights 55 driving tube

[0161] 57 center tube

[0162] 59 hole in housing cover

[0163] 61 housing cover

[0164] 61 i opening in cover for indicia

[0165] 61a openings in cover for auxiliary weight locks

[0166] 611 opening in cover for safety lock

[0167] 63 opening in sun gear

[0168] 65 sun gear

[0169] 67 external teeth of sun gear

[0170] 69 inwardly projecting protrusions of sun gear

[0171] 71 axially extending notches of driving tube

[0172] 73 end of driving tube

[0173] 75 outer driving tube

[0174] 77 axially extending protrusion of driving tube

[0175] 79 planet gear

[0176] 79a large gear portion of planet gear

[0177] 79b small gear portion of planet gear

[0178] 81 ring gear

[0179] 83 indicia on ring gear

[0180] 85 axles for planet gears

[0181] 87 pedestals for axles for planet gears

[0182] 89 axially inner surface of inner bracket 91 inner bracket

[0183] 93 hole in inner bracket

[0184] 95 tracks for indexing pusher

[0185] 97 spring for indexing pusher

[0186] 99 indexing pusher

[0187] 101 indexing ball

[0188] 103 lock bracket for indexing

[0189] 105 holes in outer driving tube

[0190] 107 safety lock plate

[0191] 109 axially outer surface of inner bracket

[0192] 111 recess in axially outer surface of inner bracket for safety lock plate

[0193] 113 oblong hole in safety lock plate

[0194] 115 safety lock

[0195] 117 tab on safety lock

[0196] 119 projection on tab on safety lock

[0197] 121 recess at bottom of inner bracket

[0198] 123 projection on inner bracket

[0199] 124 spring

[0200] 125 locking rim

[0201] 127 hole in locking rim

[0202] 129 radially inwardly extending projections in hole in locking rim

[0203] 131 axially extending recesses in outer driving tube

[0204] 133 axially inwardly extending peripheral rim of locking rim 135 axially extending recesses in peripheral rim of locking rim

[0205] 135p projecting portions on peripheral rim of locking rim

[0206] 137, 137’ upwardly extending projections on base seats

[0207] 137h, 137h’ hook portion on upwardly extending projections

[0208] 139 axially inner surfaces of locking rim around hole in locking rim

[0209] 141 middle bracket

[0210] 143 hole in middle bracket

[0211] 145 axially inner surface of middle bracket

[0212] 147 axially outer surface of middle bracket

[0213] 149 first tracks in middle bracket

[0214] 151 first auxiliary weight lock

[0215] 153 first openings in middle bracket

[0216] 155 second tracks in outer bracket

[0217] 157 second auxiliary weight lock

[0218] 159 second openings in middle bracket

[0219] 161 axially outer surface of locking rim

[0220] 163 first cam groove

[0221] 165 radially extending main body of first auxiliary weight lock

[0222] 167 axially extending pin of first auxiliary weight lock

[0223] 169 radially extending opening on inner peripheral surface of first auxiliary weights

[0224] 171 inner peripheral surface of first auxiliary weights

[0225] 173 gear

[0226] 175 central hole in gear 177 protrusions in hole in gear

[0227] 179 axially outer surface of gear

[0228] 181 second cam groove

[0229] 183 second main body of second auxiliary weight lock

[0230] 185 second pin of second auxiliary weight lock

[0231] 187 radially extending openings of second auxiliary weight

[0232] 189 inner peripheral surface of second auxiliary weight

[0233] 191 axially inner side of outer bracket

[0234] 193 outer bracket

[0235] 195 hole in outer bracket

[0236] 197 axially extending outer side of outer bracket

[0237] 199 hypoid gear of gear

[0238] 201 radially extending opening for axle in outer bracket

[0239] 202 flat surfaces of outer bracket

[0240] 203 axle

[0241] 204 opening in center tube

[0242] 205 hypoid pinion gear

[0243] 207 crank

[0244] 209 pin (slider)

[0245] 211 central body of crank

[0246] 213 first side of crank

[0247] 215 first peg on first side of crank

[0248] 217 hole in crank 219 first blocking disk

[0249] 221 second side of crank

[0250] 223 second peg on second side of crank

[0251] 225 second blocking disk

[0252] 227 half-circular shaft of pin

[0253] 229 longitudinal groove in half-circular shaft of pin

[0254] 231 flat side of half-circular shaft of pin

[0255] 233 slider

[0256] 234 pins slider

[0257] 235 first slider component rack

[0258] 237 first slots

[0259] 239 second slider component rack

[0260] 241 second slots

[0261] 243 elongated slot between first slots and second slots

[0262] 245 first blocking region

[0263] 247 second blocking region

[0264] 249 half-circular guide

[0265] 251 longitudinal extending groove in half-circular guide

[0266] 253 flat surface of half-circular guide

[0267] 255 holes in outer bracket

[0268] 257 holes in center tube 57

[0269] 259 pins for holes in center tube

[0270] 261 plugs 263 holes in outer bracket for pugs 261

[0271] 267 back cover

[0272] 269 axially inner side of weight plate

[0273] 271 weight plate 273 screws for back cover

[0274] 275 holes in back cover

[0275] 277 holes in cover

[0276] 279 holes in outer bracket

[0277] 281 holes in weight plate

Claims

CLAIMS1. An adjustable weight lifting apparatus (21), comprising: a weight lifting device (23) comprising first and second axially outer surfaces (49, 49’); a plurality of weight disks (37) removably attachable to the first and second axially outer surfaces (49, 49’) of the weight lifting device (23) and to each other; and each weight disk (37) comprising a main body portion, a protrusion (45) removably attachable to the main body portion, and a recess (47), the protrusion (45) of a first one of the plurality of weight disks (37) being adapted to be removably received in the recess (47) of a second one of the plurality of weight disks (37), the first and second ones of the plurality of weight disks (37) being radially movable but not axially movable relative to each other when the protrusion (45) of the first one of the plurality of weight disks (37) is received in the recess (47) of the second one of the plurality of weight disks (37).

2. The adjustable weight lifting apparatus (21) as set forth in claim 1, wherein the protrusion (45) of the second one of the plurality of weight disks (37) is adapted to be removably received in the recess (47) of the first one of the plurality of weight disks (37) when the protrusion (45) of the first one of the plurality of weight disks (37) is removably received in the recess (47) of the second one of the plurality of weight disks (37).

3. The adjustable weight lifting apparatus (21) as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first and second axially outer surfaces (49, 49’) of the weight lifting device (23) each include an axially outer surface protrusion (45) and an axially outer surface recess (47), the axially outer surface protrusions (45) of the first and second axially outer surfaces (49, 49’) being adapted to beremovably received in the recess (47) of corresponding weight disks (37) of the plurality of weight disks (37), the weight lifting device (23) and the corresponding weight disks (37) being radially movable but not axially movable relative to one another when the axially outer surface protrusions (45) of the first and second axially outer surfaces (49, 49’) are received in the recesses (47) of the corresponding weight disks (37).

4. The adjustable weight lifting apparatus (21) as set forth in claim 3, wherein the axially outer surface protrusions (45) of the first and second axially outer surfaces (49, 49’) are removably attachable to the first and second axially outer surfaces (49, 49’) of the weight lifting device (23).

5. The adjustable weight lifting apparatus (21) as set forth in claim 1, wherein the protrusion (45) on each weight disk (37) comprises a knob having a narrowest end closest to the main body portion and a wider end furthest from the main body portion.

6. The adjustable weight lifting apparatus (21) as set forth in claim 5, wherein the recess (47) includes a narrowest end closest to an outer surface of the main body portion and a widest end axially inward of the outer surface of the main body.

7. The adjustable weight lifting apparatus (21) as set forth in claim 5, wherein the protrusion (45) on each weight disk (37) is removably attachable to the main body portion by a bolt.

8. The adjustable weight lifting apparatus (21) as set forth in claim 1, wherein the recess (47) on each weight disk (37) is provided in a component removably attachable to the main body portion.

9. The adjustable weight lifting apparatus (21) as set forth in claim 8, wherein the recess (47) includes a narrowest end closest to an outer surface of the main body portion and a widest end axially inward of the outer surface of the main body.

10. A weight disk (37) for an adjustable weight lifting apparatus (21), the adjustable weight lifting apparatus (21) comprising a plurality of weight disks (37) removably attachable to each other, the weight disk (37) comprising a main body portion, a protrusion (45) removably attachable to the main body portion, and a recess (47), the protrusion (45) of the weight disk (37) being adapted to be removably received in the recess (47) of another one of the plurality of weight disks (37), the weight disk (37) and the other one of the plurality of weight disks (37) being radially movable but not axially movable relative to each other when the protrusion (45) of the weight disk (37) is received in the recess (47) of the other one of the plurality of weight disks (37).

11. The weight disk (37) as set forth in claim 10, wherein the protrusion (45) of the other one of the plurality of weight disks (37) is adapted to be removably received in the recess (47) of the weight disks (37) when the protrusion (45) of the weight disk (37) is removably received in the recess (47) of the other one of the plurality of weight disks (37).

12. The weight disk (37) as set forth in claim 10, wherein the protrusion (45) on the weight disk (37) comprises a knob having a narrowest end closest to the main body portion and a wider end furthest from the main body portion.

13. The weight disk (37) as set forth in claim 12, wherein the recess (47) includes a narrowest end closest to an outer surface of the main body portion and a widest end axially inward of the outer surface of the main body.

14. The weight disk (37) as set forth in claim 12, wherein the protrusion (45) on the weight disk (37) is removably attachable to the main body portion by a bolt.

15. The weight disk (37) as set forth in claim 10, wherein the recess (47) on each weight disk (37) is provided in a component removably attachable to the main body portion.

16. The weight disk (37) as set forth in claim 12, wherein the recess (47) includes a narrowest end closest to an outer surface of the main body portion and a widest end axially inward of the outer surface of the main body.