Weight Plate Comprising a Rotating Center Mechanism

Abstract

The present invention introduces a groundbreaking advancement in strength training equipment, featuring a uniquely designed weight plate with an integrated rotating center mechanism. This innovative mechanism allows each weight plate to maintain a consistent orientation relative to the barbell sleeve, irrespective of the barbell's rotation during various exercises. This functionality significantly reduces the transmission of rotational forces to the athlete, thereby enhancing both safety and performance. A key aspect of this invention is the incorporation of removable weight plate spacers, which create an air gap between adjacent weight plates, enabling their independent rotation and offering versatility for a wide range of strength training exercises. Additionally, the invention includes a variable-depth bearing adapter, making it adaptable for compatibility with weight plates of varying thicknesses and bearings of different sizes. Overall, this invention presents a novel solution to challenges in current strength training practices, setting a new standard in weightlifting technology.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A weight plate, comprising:
 a circular outer plate portion, wherein the outer plate portion includes
 an outer periphery, 
 an inner periphery disposed radially inward of the outer periphery, and 
 an outer plate opening extending radially inward of the inner periphery, 
   a rotating center mechanism, wherein the rotating center mechanism extends in the outer plate opening and includes
 an outer ring, 
 an inner ring disposed radially inward of the outer ring, and 
 a rotating center mechanism opening disposed radially inward of the inner ring,
 wherein the outer ring is in operative engagement with the inner periphery, 
 wherein the rotating center mechanism opening is configured to receive a sleeve of a barbell, 
 
   wherein the rotating center mechanism is operative to maintain the rotational orientation of the weight plate independent of any rotational movement of the barbell sleeve.   
     
     
         2 . The weight plate according to  claim 1 , wherein the rotating center mechanism includes at least one bearing, wherein the bearing is operative to prevent transfer of rotational movement of the barbell sleeve to the weight plate. 
     
     
         3 . The weight plate according to  claim 2 , further comprising a variable depth bearing adapter, wherein the variable depth bearing adapter enables the rotating center mechanism to be integrated with weight plates having different thicknesses. 
     
     
         4 . The weight plate according to  claim 3 , further comprising a circular retention disc, wherein the circular retention disc extends radially intermediate of the inner periphery of the outer plate portion and the outer ring of the rotating center mechanism, and wherein the retention disc is configured to secure the rotating center mechanism to the outer plate portion. 
     
     
         5 . The weight plate according to  claim 4 , wherein the variable depth bearing adapter includes a flanged cylinder and a cylinder cap,
 wherein the flanged cylinder comprises a cylindrical portion and a flange portion,
 wherein the cylindrical portion includes an axially extending length that extends within the rotating center mechanism opening adjacent the inner ring, and 
 wherein the flange portion extends radially outward from the cylindrical portion and abuts a first lateral face of the bearing, 
   wherein the cylinder cap abuts an opposed second lateral face of the bearing and releasably engages the cylindrical portion extending through the rotating mechanism opening,   wherein the variable depth bearing adapter is operative to maintain the bearing axially positioned in surrounding relation of the axially extending length intermediate of the flange portion and the cylinder cap.   
     
     
         6 . The weight plate according to  claim 5 , wherein the axially extending length of the cylinder portion is configured to accommodate a further bearing or a bearing having a different axial width. 
     
     
         7 . The weight plate according to  claim 6 , wherein the flanged cylinder includes a cylinder opening, wherein the cylinder opening has a diameter configured to receive a barbell sleeve. 
     
     
         8 . The weight plate according to  claim 7 , wherein the outer plate portion further includes a raised lip extending axially outward from at least one of a first lateral face or an opposed second lateral face of the outer plate portion, wherein the raised lip is configured to contact an immediately adjacent weight plate and is operative to transfer any rotational movement of the weight plate to the immediately adjacent weight plate. 
     
     
         9 . The weight plate according to  claim 8 , further including a releasably engageable weight plate spacer, wherein the weight plate spacer is releasably engageable with a first lateral face or an opposed second lateral face of the rotating center mechanism, and wherein the weight plate spacer is operative to prevent transfer of any rotational movement of the weight plate to an immediately adjacent weight plate. 
     
     
         10 . The weight plate according to  claim 9 , wherein the rotating center mechanism is releasably engageable with the outer plate portion. 
     
     
         11 . A weight plate, comprising:
 a circular outer plate portion, wherein the outer plate portion includes an outer plate opening,   a rotating center mechanism, wherein the rotating center mechanism extends in the outer plate opening and is in fixed operative engagement with outer plate portion,
 wherein the rotating center mechanism includes a rotating center mechanism opening configured to receive a sleeve of a barbell therethrough, 
 wherein the rotating center mechanism includes at least one bearing, and 
 wherein the rotating center mechanism is operative to prevent any rotational movement of the barbell sleeve from transferring to the weight plate. 
   
     
     
         12 . The weight plate according to  claim 11 , further comprising a variable depth bearing adapter, wherein the variable depth bearing adapter enables the rotating center mechanism to be integrated with weight plates having different thicknesses. 
     
     
         13 . The weight plate according to  claim 11 , wherein the variable depth bearing adapter includes a flanged cylinder and a cylinder cap,
 wherein the flanged cylinder comprises a cylindrical portion and a flange portion,
 wherein the cylindrical portion includes an axially extending length that extends within the rotating center mechanism opening, and 
 wherein the flange portion extends radially outward from the cylindrical portion and abuts a first lateral face of the bearing, 
   wherein the cylinder cap abuts an opposed second lateral face of the bearing and releasably engages the cylindrical portion extending through the rotating mechanism opening,   wherein the variable depth bearing adapter is operative to maintain the bearing axially positioned in surrounding relation of the axially extending length intermediate of the flange portion and the cylinder cap.   
     
     
         14 . The weight plate according to  claim 13 , wherein the axially extending length of the cylinder portion is configured to accommodate at least one of a further bearing and a bearing having a different axial width. 
     
     
         15 . The weight plate according to  claim 14 , wherein the flanged cylinder includes a cylinder opening, wherein the cylinder opening has a diameter configured to receive a barbell sleeve. 
     
     
         16 . The weight plate according to  claim 15 , further comprising a circular retention disc, wherein the circular retention disc extends radially intermediate of the outer plate portion and the rotating center mechanism, and wherein the retention disc is configured to secure the rotating center mechanism to the outer plate portion. 
     
     
         17 . The weight plate according to  claim 16 , wherein the outer plate portion further includes a raised lip extending axially outward from at least one of a first lateral face or an opposed second lateral face of the outer plate portion, wherein the raised lip is configured to contact an immediately adjacent weight plate and is operative to transfer any rotational movement of the weight plate to the immediately adjacent weight plate. 
     
     
         18 . The weight plate according to  claim 17 , further including a releasably engageable weight plate spacer, wherein the weight plate spacer is releasably engageable with a first lateral face or an opposed second lateral face of the rotating center mechanism, and wherein the weight plate spacer is operative to prevent transfer of any rotational movement of the weight plate to an immediately adjacent weight plate. 
     
     
         19 . A weight plate, comprising:
 an outer plate portion, wherein the outer plate portion includes
 an outer periphery, 
 an inner periphery disposed radially inward of the outer periphery, and 
 an outer plate opening extending radially inward of the inner periphery, 
   a rotating center mechanism, wherein the rotating center mechanism is configured to extend in the outer plate opening and includes
 an outer ring, 
 an inner ring disposed radially inward of the outer ring, and 
 a rotating center mechanism opening disposed radially inward of the inner ring,
 wherein the outer ring is releasably engageable with the inner periphery, 
 wherein the rotating center mechanism opening is configured to receive a sleeve of a barbell, 
 wherein the rotating center mechanism includes at least one bearing, and 
 wherein the rotating center mechanism is operative to enable the rotational orientation of the weight plate to be maintained independently of any rotational movement of the barbell sleeve. 
 
   
     
     
         20 . The weight plate according to  claim 19 , further comprising a variable depth bearing adapter, wherein the variable depth bearing adapter houses the bearing and includes a flanged cylinder and a cylinder cap,
 wherein the flanged cylinder comprises a cylindrical portion and a flange portion,
 wherein the cylindrical portion includes an axially extending length that extends within the rotating center mechanism opening adjacent the inner ring, and 
 wherein the flange portion extends radially outward from the cylindrical portion, 
   wherein the cylinder cap releasably engages the cylindrical portion extending through the rotating center mechanism opening.