Weights system and blade apparatus

Abstract

The invention relates to a weights system, for use with a bar, including a body, a weight means to give the weight system a useful weight for performing exercise and a lock and release mechanism. The lock and release mechanism is movable between a locked state, whereby the body and weight means are retained on the bar, and a released state which is operable to release the body and weight means from the bar. In use, the lock and release mechanism enables quick and easy exchanging, removal or addition of weight to the bar for use in a sequence of exercises. The invention also relates to use of the weights system with a blade. The invention also relates to a method of use of the weights system. The invention also relates to a method of use of the weights system and blade apparatus.

1 . A weights system, for use with a bar, the weights system including:
 a body;   a weight means contained within or otherwise associated with the body, to give the weight system a useful weight for performing exercise;   a lock and release mechanism, contained within or otherwise associated with the body, the lock and release mechanism movable between a locked state, whereby the body and weight means are retained on the bar, and a released state which is operable to release the body and weight means from the bar,   
       wherein the lock and release mechanism enables quick and easy exchanging, removal or addition of weight to the bar for use in a sequence of exercises. 
     
     
         2 . The weights system of  claim 1 , wherein the bar is the bar of a blade apparatus. 
     
     
         3 . The weights system of  claim 2 , wherein the blade apparatus can be used similar to a sword to move through a sequence of movements. 
     
     
         4 . The weights system of  claim 2 , wherein the blade apparatus emulates a bladed instrument. 
     
     
         5 . The weights system according to any one of  claims 2  to  4 , wherein the blade apparatus includes an end. 
     
     
         6 . The weights system according to any one of  claims 2  to  5 , wherein a central part is included to which an end and handle attach. 
     
     
         7 . The weights system according to any one of  claims 2  to  6 , wherein a hilt or shield for the hand is included with a handle. 
     
     
         8 . The weights system according to any one of  claims 2  to  7 , wherein the weights system attaches about the bar or post of the blade apparatus. 
     
     
         9 . The weights system according to any one of  claims 2  to  8 , wherein the blade apparatus has a shaft or post with a circular cross-section and the weights system readily connects onto the rounded bar through use of the lock and release mechanism. 
     
     
         10 . The weights system according to any one of  claims 1  to  9 , wherein the body is a convenient shape to fit about the bar. 
     
     
         11 . The weights system according to any one of  claims 1  to  10 , wherein the body includes a handle part that enables the weight system to be readily lifted and installed on the bar with one hand. 
     
     
         12 . The weights system of  claim 11 , wherein the handle is an incorporated cut-out through which a hand may be put to lift the body. 
     
     
         13 . The weights system according to any one of  claims 1  to  12 , wherein the shape of the body is substantially cuboid with cut-outs for a handle, to slot on to the bar. 
     
     
         14 . The weights system according to any one of  claims 1  to  13 , wherein the body includes the weight means integrally from the weight of the material of the body. 
     
     
         15 . The weights system according to any one of  claims 1  to  13 , wherein weights are included in the body to provide the useful weight. 
     
     
         16 . The weights system according to any one of  claims 1  to  15 , wherein the useful weight is chosen from the group: 500 grams; 1 kilogram; 2 kilograms; 5 kilograms; 7.5 kilograms; or 10 kilograms. 
     
     
         17 . The weights system according to any one of  claims 1  to  16 , wherein the multiple weights can be used to create the overall desirable weight. 
     
     
         18 . The weights system according to any one of  claims 1  to  17 , wherein the location of the installation of the weights changes the nature and difficulty of the exercise to be performed. 
     
     
         19 . The weights system according to any one of  claims 1  to  18 , wherein the body may be installed at one or more location on the bar. 
     
     
         20 . The weights system of  claim 19 , wherein the lock and release mechanism enables the weight system to be installed at a range of locations on the bar. 
     
     
         21 . The weights system according to any one of  claims 1  to  20 , wherein the more than one body is installed at more than one location. 
     
     
         22 . The weights system according to any one of  claims 1  to  20 , wherein the up to two weights can each be installed at one or two location. 
     
     
         23 . The weights system according to any one of  claims 1  to  22 , wherein pairs of weights can be used to adjust the weight at one of two locations on the bar. 
     
     
         24 . The weights system according to any one of  claims 2  to  9 , wherein the blade apparatus is adapted to have two locations, each for installation of weights and each location can take, two, one or no weights. 
     
     
         25 . The weights system according to any one of  claims 1  to  24 , wherein the exercise is to use as a blade or sword to perform a sequence of movements. 
     
     
         26 . The weights system according to any one of  claims 1  to  25 , wherein the lock mechanism includes pushing the bar into a suitable slot on the body whereby the body is maintained on the bar. 
     
     
         27 . The weights system of  claim 26 , wherein a moving part is included in the lock and release mechanism and the moving part moves between a locked position and a released position. 
     
     
         28 . The weights system of  claim 27 , wherein a bias spring is included to assist in the moving of the moving part. 
     
     
         29 . The weights system of  claim 27  or  28 , wherein the moving part is held in a locked position once the bar has been pushed into the mechanism and held by a catch. 
     
     
         30 . The weights system of  claim 29 , wherein the catch includes a projection that catches in a receiving part. 
     
     
         31 . The weights system according to any one of  claims 1  to  30 , wherein a single action of passing the bar into the body of the weight system and locking mechanism locks the weight onto the bar. 
     
     
         32 . The weights system according to any one of  claims 1  to  31 , wherein release is achieved by pressing a button connected to the lock release mechanism. 
     
     
         33 . The weights system of  claim 32 , wherein the button releases a catch so that a moving part can move freely and release the weight from the bar with a positive push on the button is required to release the catch. 
     
     
         34 . The weights system according to any one of  claims 1  to  33 , wherein the body includes a slot and the bar passes within the slot to be in contact with the lock mechanism and thereby locked to the bar. 
     
     
         35 . The weights system according to any one of  claims 1  to  34 , wherein the retaining on the bar is such that the weight are held firmly in place in the locked state so that they do not move while being used to perform a sequence of movements. 
     
     
         36 . The weights system according to any one of  claims 1  to  35 , wherein the sequence of exercises are to emulate the use of a sword and move smoothly through a sequence of these exercise. 
     
     
         37 . A blade apparatus for use with a weight system, the blade apparatus including:
 an elongate part;   a handle part, associated with the elongate part such that when a person holds and moves the handle part the elongate part, correspondingly moves;   one or more weight that can be added to increase the weight of the fitness article,   
       wherein, the blade apparatus can be used for moving through a sequence of movements, similar to those of using a bladed weapon, and the weights adjusted to increase or decrease the difficulty of performing the exercise. 
     
     
         38 . The blade apparatus of  claim 37  when used with the weight system of any one of  claims 1  to  36 . 
     
     
         39 . A weight system and blade apparatus including:
 an elongate part;   a handle part, associated with the elongate part such that when a person holds and moves the handle part the elongate part, correspondingly moves; one or more weight that can be added to increase the weight of the fitness article, including a body, a weight means contained within or otherwise associated with the body, to give the weight system a useful weight for performing exercise, a lock and release mechanism, contained within or otherwise associated with the body, the lock and release mechanism movable between a locked state, whereby the body and weight means are retained on the bar, and a released state which is operable to release the body and weight means from the bar,   
       wherein the lock and release mechanism enables quick and easy exchanging, removal or addition of weight to the blade apparatus for use in a sequence of exercises emulating the use of bladed weapon. 
     
     
         40 . A method of use of a weight system, the weights system including a body, a weight means contained within or otherwise associated with the body, to give the weight system a useful weight for performing exercise, a lock and release mechanism, contained within or otherwise associated with the body, the lock and release mechanism movable between a locked state, whereby the body and weight means are retained on the bar, and a released state which is operable to release the body and weight means from the bar, the method including the following steps:
 a) choosing a weight to put on the bar;   b) aligning a slot of the weight with the bar;   c) sliding the slot of the weight on to the bar so as to engage the lock release mechanism;   d) locking the weight to the bar, the weight being maintained thereon until the release mechanism is used.   
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the bar is a blade apparatus. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 40  or  41 , wherein the release is actioned by pressing a button. 
     
     
         43 . The method according to any one of  claims 40  to  42 , wherein the blade apparatus with attached weight system is used to perform a sequence of exercises. 
     
     
         44 . A method of use of a blade apparatus, the blade apparatus including an elongate part and a handle part, associated with the elongate part, the method including the followings steps:
 a) Preparing the blade apparatus for use by adding one or more weight;   b) Conducting warm-up exercises   c) Moving the prepared fitness article through a sequence of moves to simulate use of a sword or dagger;   d) Repeating the sequences of moves a predetermined number of times;   e) Moving through other sequences as required for the class;   f) Conducting a warm-down.   
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the blade apparatus is the blade apparatus of  claim 37  or  38 .