# US 9,039,586 B2 · Exercise device for weightlifting and other fitness activities > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,039,586 B2 - Document ID: US9039586B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/343,273 - Filed: 2012-01-04 - Published: 2012-07-12 - Granted: 2015-05-26 - Earliest claimed: 2011-01-05 - Assignees: Escape Fitness Limited - Applicants: Matthew Lee Januszek - Inventors: Matthew Lee Januszek - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9039586B2 ## CPC - A63B 21/0724: {Bar-bells; Hand bars} - A63B 21/0726: {Dumb bells, i.e. with a central bar to be held by a single hand, and with weights at the ends} - A63B 71/00: Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00 (starting appliances A63K3/02) - A63B 2071/0063: {Shock absorbers} - A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H) ## Abstract An exercise device, for example a dumbbell or barbell, for weightlifting and other fitness activities, which includes a lifting bar having an axis and opposed axial ends, and a pair of weight sections mounted spaced apart on the respective opposed axial ends of the lifting bar. The lifting bar extends between the spaced apart weight sections defining a handle. Each weight section has an outer circumferential surface, one embodiment in which is a barrelled shape to match and fit in the palm of a user's hand. The circumferential surface of at least one of the weight sections comprises a plurality of grooves, each extending generally circumferentially around only part of the outer circumferential surface of the weight section and spaced substantially axially from an adjacent groove. The sets of grooves define grip areas on the weight section to enable a user to better grip and lift the exercise device. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An exercise device for weightlifting and other fitness activities comprising: a lifting bar having an axis and opposed axial ends; and a pair of weight sections mounted spaced apart on the respective opposed axial ends of the lifting bar with the lifting bar extending between the spaced apart weight sections, each weight section having an outer circumferential surface, an inner axial end face facing the inner axial end face of the other weight section mounted on the opposite end of the lifting bar, and an outer axial end face; wherein the circumferential surface of at least one of the weight sections comprises a plurality of grooves each extending generally circumferentially around only part of the outer circumferential surface of the weight section and spaced substantially axially from an adjacent groove axially along the outer circumferential surface of the weight section the plurality of grooves being sized and spaced to substantially match a human's finger and/or finger imprint; wherein the weight sections comprise a solid inner weight section comprised of a metal and a resilient outer skin layer that is moulded about an outer circumferential surface of the solid inner weight section, and the plurality of grooves are integrally formed within the outer skin. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An exercise device of claim 1 wherein at least one of the plurality of grooves extends a different circumferential distance around the weight section to at least one other of the plurality of grooves. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) An exercise device of claim 1 wherein the plurality of grooves comprise two sets of grooves disposed on substantially diametrically opposite sides of the outer circumferential surface of the weight section. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) An exercise device of claim 3 wherein each set of grooves comprises three or more spaced apart grooves in each set. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) An exercise device of claim 4 wherein a central groove of the three or more spaced apart grooves in each set extends circumferentially further than the adjacent grooves on either side of the central groove. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) An exercise device of claim 1 wherein the pair of weight sections has a substantially barrelled or curved circumferential outer surface having an central portion at greater radius from the lifting bar than the axial inner and outer end portions. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) An exercise device of claim 1 wherein the outer circumferential surface of each weight section is curved to match an inner palm surface of a human's hand. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) An exercise device of claim 1 wherein the outer circumferential surface includes a substantially flat portion. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) An exercise device of claim 1 wherein at least one section of the inner axial end face of at least one of the weight sections is recessed from a remainder portion of the inner axial end face. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) An exercise device of claim 9 wherein the inner axial end face of at least one of the weight section includes two recessed sections disposed on diametrically opposite sides of the inner axial end face. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) An exercise device of claim 1 wherein the outer axial end of at least one of the weight sections is recessed from a remainder portion of the outer axial end face. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) An exercise device of claim 1 wherein the outer skin comprises a polyurethane or rubber skin. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) An exercise device of claim 1 wherein the weight sections comprise a centrally located mounting bore for mounting the weight sections spaced apart on the respective opposed axial ends of the lifting bar. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) An exercise device of claim 1 wherein the plurality of grooves extend approximately one quarter to one third of the distance around the outer circumferential surface of the weight section. ### Claim 15 An exercise device for weightlifting and other fitness activities comprising: a lifting bar having an axis and opposed axial ends; and a pair of weight sections mounted spaced apart on the respective opposed axial ends of the lifting bar with the lifting bar extending between the spaced apart weight sections, each weight section having an outer circumferential surface, an inner axial end face facing the inner axial end face of the other weight section mounted on the opposite end of the lifting bar, an outer axial end face, and an inner weight section comprised of a non-plastic material; wherein the circumferential surface of at least one of the weight sections is curved to match an inner palm surface of a human's hand, and comprises a plurality of grooves each extending generally circumferentially around only part of the outer circumferential surface of the weight section and spaced substantially axially from an adjacent groove axially along the outer circumferential surface of the weight section; wherein the plurality of grooves are sized and spaced to substantially match a human's finger and/or finger imprint; and wherein an outer skin layer is moulded about an outer circumferential surface of the inner weight sections, and the plurality of grooves are integrally formed within the outer skin. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) An exercise device of claim 15 wherein the outer circumferential surface includes a substantially flat portion.