Adjustable weight dumbbell

Abstract

An adjustable weight dumbbell includes a handle assembly with a handle and plates at each end. An outer side of each of the plates is configured to removably couple to one or more outer weights so that the total weight of the dumbbell is adjustable based on how many outer weights are connected. Additionally, an inner side of each of the plates is configured to removably couple to an inner weight to further adjust the total weight of the dumbbell. The inner weights can weigh less than the outer weights. The adjustable weight dumbbell is supported on a cradle that facilitates attaching and removing the outer and inner weights as required or desired.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An adjustable weight dumbbell comprising
 a handle assembly including
 a handle having a first end and an opposite second end; 
 a first plate mounted to the first end of the handle, the first plate having a first inner side adjacent to the handle, a first outer side, and a first inner weight mounting structure positioned on the first inner side; and 
 a second plate mounted to the second end of the handle, the second plate having a second inner side adjacent to the handle and facing the first inner side, a second outer side, and a second inner weight mounting structure positioned on the second inner side; and 
   a first inner weight configured to removably couple to the first inner weight mounting structure; and   a second inner weight configured to removably couple to the second inner weight mounting structure.   
     
     
         2 . The adjustable weight dumbbell of  claim 1  further comprising
 a first outer weight mounting structure positioned on the first outer side of the first plate; 
 a second outer weight mounting structure positioned on the second outer side of the second plate; 
 one or more first outer weights each configured to removably couple to the first outer weight mounting structure; and 
 one or more second outer weights each configured to removably couple to the second outer weight mounting structure. 
 
     
     
         3 . The adjustable weight dumbbell of  claim 2 , wherein each of the first outer weights is configured to removably attach to another adjacent one of the first outer weights. 
     
     
         4 . The adjustable weight dumbbell of  claim 2 , wherein each of the second outer weights is configured to removably attach to another adjacent one of the second outer weights. 
     
     
         5 . The adjustable weight dumbbell of  claim 2 , wherein a first weight of either of the first inner weight or the second inner weight is different than a second weight of any of the one or more first outer weights or of the one or more second outer weights. 
     
     
         6 . The adjustable weight dumbbell of  claim 1 , wherein the first weight is less than the second weight. 
     
     
         7 . The adjustable weight dumbbell of  claim 1 , wherein
 the first and second inner weight mounting structures each comprise a bracket mounted to and extending from the first or second plate, respectively;   the bracket defines a dovetail flange about at least a portion of a perimeter of the bracket;   the first and second inner weights each have a body that defines a notch corresponding in form to the bracket;   an edge of the body defining the notch defines a corresponding dovetail flange correlated to the dovetail flange of the bracket for engagement with the bracket.   
     
     
         8 . The adjustable weight dumbbell of  claim 2 , wherein
 the first and second inner weight mounting structures each comprise a first bracket;   the first bracket has a top end of a first width and a bottom end of a second width longer than the first width;   the first and second outer weight mounting structures each comprise a second bracket;   the second bracket has a top end of a third length and a bottom end of a fourth length shorter than the third length; and   a first taper direction of the first and second inner weight mounting structures from the top end to the bottom end of the first bracket is in an opposite direction from a second taper direction of the first and second outer weight mounting structures from the top end to the bottom end of the second bracket.   
     
     
         9 . The adjustable weight dumbbell of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second inner weight mounting structures each comprise a locking structure configured to selectively engage with and disengage with the first inner weight mounting structure and the second inner weight mounting structure, respectively. 
     
     
         10 . The adjustable weight dumbbell of  claim 2 , wherein
 a first area of the first outer side of the first plate adjacent to the first outer weight mounting structure has a first surface texture with a first friction coefficient;   a second area of the first outer side of the first plate spaced apart from the first outer weight mounting structure has a second surface texture with a second friction coefficient;   the first friction coefficient is lower than the second friction coefficient.   
     
     
         11 . The adjustable weight dumbbell of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second inner weights each have a body that defines a notch shaped and sized to at least partially receive the handle when coupled to the first and second inner weight mounting structures, respectively. 
     
     
         12 . The adjustable weight dumbbell of  claim 11 , wherein a center of mass of each of the first and second inner weights is disposed within the notch. 
     
     
         13 . The adjustable weight dumbbell of  claim 12 , wherein the center of mass of each of the first and second inner weights is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the handle when the first and second inner weights are coupled to the first and second inner weight mounting structures, respectively. 
     
     
         14 . The adjustable weight dumbbell of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second inner weights each have a body that defines an oblique surface at a top end of the first and second inner weights, respectively. 
     
     
         15 . An adjustable weight dumbbell comprising
 a handle assembly including
 a handle having a first end and an opposite second end; 
 a first plate mounted to the first end of the handle, the first plate having a first inner side and a first outer side, a first inner weight bracket disposed on the first inner side, and a first outer weight bracket disposed on the first outer side; and 
 a second plate mounted to the second end of the handle, the second plate having a second inner side facing the first inner side of the first plate and a second outer side, a second inner weight bracket disposed on the second inner side, and a second outer weight bracket disposed on the second outer side; 
   a first inner weight configured to removably couple to the first inner weight bracket;   a second inner weight configured to removably couple to the second inner weight bracket, wherein the first and second inner weights at least partially surround the handle when coupled to the handle assembly; and   a plurality of outer weights configured to removably couple to the first and second outer weight brackets and to each other so as to adjust weight of the adjustable weight dumbbell.   
     
     
         16 . The adjustable weight dumbbell of  claim 15 , wherein the first and second inner sides are formed from a different material than the first and second outer sides. 
     
     
         17 . The adjustable weight dumbbell of  claim 15 , wherein the first and second inner weights slidingly engage with the first and second inner weight brackets along a first direction, and the plurality of outer weights slidingly engage with the first and second outer weight brackets along a second direction. 
     
     
         18 . The adjustable weight dumbbell of  claim 15 , wherein each of the first and second inner weights have a center of gravity disposed outside of a body of the first and second inner weights. 
     
     
         19 . The adjustable weight dumbbell of  claim 15 , wherein the first inner weight is a mirror form of the second inner weight. 
     
     
         20 . The adjustable weight dumbbell of  claim 15 , wherein each of the first and second inner weights have a locking mechanism configured to engage and disengage with the first and second inner weight brackets, respectively.