Liquid-containing weighted device suitable for use in fitness, training, conditioning and/or rehabilitation

Abstract

Liquid-containing weighted device usable on land and/or in water and suitable for use in fitness, training, conditioning and/or rehabilitation. According to one embodiment, the device may include a closed receptacle, at least a portion of which may be transparent or translucent to permit a user to view its contents. The receptacle may be partially filled with a mixture of a liquid, such as water, and one or more insoluble solid materials, such as glitter and/or gravel. The mixture, when in motion, creates an inertia that provides an undertow reaction to assist with reverse movements to reduce or to eliminate kinetic joint load. In addition, as the mixture is in motion, the gravel scrapes against the inner surface of the receptacle, thereby enabling the device to create a rhythmic sound when being used, which may enhance its usability when a user is exercising to music.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A liquid-containing weighted device suitable for use in at least one of fitness, training, conditioning and rehabilitation, the liquid-containing weighted device comprising:
 (a) a closed receptacle, the closed receptacle having a volume; and   (b) a mixture disposed within the closed receptacle, the mixture occupying less than the entirety of the volume of the closed receptacle, the mixture comprising a liquid and at least one type of solids that is insoluble in the liquid, wherein at least one of the at least one type of solids produces an audible sound against the closed receptacle when the liquid-containing weighted device is moved.   
     
     
         2 . The liquid-containing weighted device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the at least one type of solid that produces an audible sound against the closed receptacle when the liquid-containing weighted device is moved comprises gravel. 
     
     
         3 . The liquid-containing weighted device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of the closed receptacle is one of translucent and transparent. 
     
     
         4 . The liquid-containing weighted device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the mixture occupies about 40% to about 50% of the volume of the closed receptacle. 
     
     
         5 . The liquid-containing weighted device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the liquid comprises water. 
     
     
         6 . The liquid-containing weighted device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the at least one type of solid that is insoluble in the liquid further comprises a light-reflective and/or light-dispersive material. 
     
     
         7 . The liquid-containing weighted device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the closed receptacle has a shape selected from the group consisting of generally spherical, generally cylindrical and generally kettlebell-shaped. 
     
     
         8 . A liquid-containing weighted device suitable for use in at least one of fitness, training, conditioning and rehabilitation, the weighted device comprising:
 (a) a first closed receptacle, the first closed receptacle having a volume;   (b) a mass disposed within the first closed receptacle, the mass occupying less than the entirety of the volume of the first closed receptacle, the mass comprising a liquid; and   (c) a bar, the bar having a first end and a second end, the first closed receptacle being coupled to the first end of the bar.   
     
     
         9 . The liquid-containing weighted device as claimed in  claim 8  further comprising a wrist strap, the wrist strap being coupled to the bar proximate to the second end. 
     
     
         10 . The liquid-containing weighted device as claimed in  claim 8  further comprising a second closed receptacle having a volume and a mass disposed within the second closed receptacle, the second closed receptacle being coupled to the second end of the bar. 
     
     
         11 . The liquid-containing weighted device as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the mass further comprises at least one of a first solid that is insoluble in the liquid and a second solid that is insoluble in the liquid, the first solid producing an audible sound against the closed receptacle when the liquid-containing weighted device is moved, the second solid being light-reflective and/or light dispersive. 
     
     
         12 . The liquid-containing weighted device as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the closed receptacle has a shape selected from the group consisting of generally spherical, generally cylindrical and generally kettlebell-shaped. 
     
     
         13 . A liquid-containing weighted device suitable for use in at least one of fitness, training, conditioning and rehabilitation, the liquid-containing weighted device comprising:
 (a) a pair of closed receptacles, each of the pair of closed receptacles having a volume;   (b) a mass disposed within each of the closed receptacles, the mass occupying less than the entirety of the volume of each of the closed receptacles, the mass comprising a liquid; and   (c) a bar, the bar having a first end and a second end, one of the closed receptacles being coupled to the first end of the bar, the other of the closed receptacles being coupled to the second end of the bar.   
     
     
         14 . The liquid-containing weighted device as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the closed receptacle has a shape selected from the group consisting of generally spherical, generally cylindrical, and generally kettlebell-shaped. 
     
     
         15 . The liquid-containing weighted device as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the mass further comprises at least one of a first solid that is insoluble in the liquid and a second solid that is insoluble in the liquid, the first solid producing an audible sound against the closed receptacle when the liquid-containing weighted device is moved, the second solid being light-reflective and/or light dispersive. 
     
     
         16 . The liquid-containing weighted device as claimed in  claim 13  wherein each of the closed receptacles is removably coupled to the bar. 
     
     
         17 . The liquid-containing weighted device as claimed in  claim 13  further comprising a first collar and a second collar, wherein one of the closed receptacles is secured to the first collar and the other of the closed receptacles is secured to the second collar, and wherein the first end of the bar is screwed to the first collar and the second end of the bar is screwed to the second collar. 
     
     
         18 . A liquid-containing weighted device suitable for use in at least one of fitness, training, conditioning and rehabilitation, the liquid-containing weighted device comprising:
 (a) a first weighted object;   (b) a second weighted object; and   (c) a bar, the bar being reversibly connectable to each of said first and said second weighted objects;   (d) wherein each of said first and said weighted objects has an integrally-formed handle.   
     
     
         19 . The liquid-containing weighted device as claimed in  claim 18  wherein each of the first weighted object and the second weighted object comprises a closed receptacle and a mass disposed within the closed receptacle, the mass occupying less than the entirety of the volume of the closed receptacle, the mass comprising a liquid. 
     
     
         20 . The liquid-containing weighted device as claimed in  claim 19  wherein the mass further comprises at least one of a first solid that is insoluble in the liquid and a second solid that is insoluble in the liquid, the first solid producing an audible sound against the closed receptacle when the liquid-containing weighted device is moved, the second solid being light-reflective and/or light dispersive.