Method of manufacturing a weight plate for interlocking and weight adjustment

Abstract

A weight plate have integrally formed handles is provided. The weight plate has a weight plate body having an outer periphery, a first side, and a second side that is substantially flat. The weight plate also has a central bore extending through the body, a raised flange member forming a portion of the outer periphery on the first side, and at least one handle opening extending through the body and through ht least a portion of the outer periphery. The handle formed by each handle opening, the corresponding recess, and the raised flange member is sufficient for a human hand to grip. In one embodiment, the weight plate further includes an interlock for interlocking the weight plate with another weight plate when positioned together. In another embodiment, the weight plate further includes a pock defined in the weight plate. The pock allows the weight of the weight plate to be adjusted to a desired weight by allowing additional material to be added to the pock.

1 - 19 . (canceled)  
   
   
       20 . A method of manufacturing a weight plate with a desired weight, the method comprising not necessarily in sequence: 
 forming a cast for the weight plate such that a first side of the weight plate is substantially flat and defines an interlock space;    forming the cast for the weight plate such that a second side of the weight plate includes an interlock protrusion for interlocking with the interlock space in the first side of another similar weight plate;    casting the weight plate with material in the cast;    comparing the weight of the cast weight plate with the desired weight; and    adjusting the weight of the cast weight plate substantially to the desired weight by removing a portion of the material from the substantially flat side of the weight plate.    
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein further comprising performing the acts of comparing and removing in an alternating fashion.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein act of removing the portion of the material from the substantially flat side of the weight plate comprises milling the portion of material from the substantially flat side of the weight plate.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein act of removing the portion of the material from the substantially flat side of the weight plate comprises filing the portion of material from the substantially flat side of the weight plate.  
   
   
       24 . A method of manufacturing a weight plate with a desired weight, the method comprising not necessarily in sequence: 
 forming a cast for the weight plate such that the weight plate defines a pocket;    casting the weight plate with material in the cast;    comparing the weight of the cast weight plate with the desired weight; and    adjusting the weight of the cast weight plate substantially to the desired weight by adding additional material to the pocket defined in the weight plate.    
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein further comprising performing the acts of comparing and adding the additional material in an alternating fashion.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein act of adding the additional material to the pocket defined in the weight plate comprises packing the pocket with a material capable of being substantially held within the pocket.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein act of adding the additional material to the pocket defined in the weight plate comprises filling the pocket with an aggregate material and holding the aggregate material in the pocket with a cover or resin.  
   
   
       28 . A weight plate manufacturing method, comprising: 
 forming a cast for the weight plate such that a first side of the weight plate is substantially flat and defines at least one interlock space;    forming the cast for the weight plate such that a second side of the weight plate defines at least one pocket and includes at least one interlock protrusion for interlocking with the at least one interlock space in the first side of another similar weight plate;    casting the weight plate with material in the cast;    comparing the weight of the cast weight plate with a desired weight; and    adjusting the weight of the cast weight plate substantially to the desired weight by performing at least one of: 
 (i) removing a portion of the material from the substantially flat first side of the weight plate, and  
 (ii) adding additional material to the pocket defined in the weight plate.  
   
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein further comprising performing the acts of comparing and adjusting in an alternating fashion.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the act of removing the portion of the material from the substantially flat first side of the weight plate comprises milling the portion of material from the substantially flat first side of the weight plate.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the act of removing the portion of the material from the substantially flat first side of the weight plate comprises filing the portion of material from the substantially flat first side of the weight plate.  
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the act of adding the additional material to the pocket defined in the weight plate comprises packing the pocket with a material capable of being substantially held within the pocket.  
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein act of adding the additional material to the pocket defined in the weight plate comprises filling the pocket with an aggregate material and holding the aggregate material in the pocket with a cover or resin.  
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the act of forming the cast for the weight plate comprises substantially aligning the at least one interlock space on the first side with the at least one interlock protrusion on the second side of the weight plate.  
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the act of forming the cast for the weight plate comprises forming a plurality of the at least one interlock spaces and a plurality of the at least one interlock protrusions around a periphery of the weight plate.  
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the act of forming the cast for the weight plate comprises forming a handle for the weight plate at the at least one interlock space.  
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the act of forming the cast for the weight plate comprises defining at least one pocket in the second side of the weight plate for adding additional material to the weight plate.