Weightlifting converting device

1. A weightlifting converting device comprising a plurality of converting segments arranged in a chain, wherein each converting segment includes:

a semi-circular outer surface defining a continuous arc, a planar inner surface opposite the semi-circular outer surface, a first side, a second side, a first end and a second end;

first and second sleeve members extending inward from the first and second sides, respectively, and beyond the planar inner surface; and

hinge elements located at the first and second ends, respectively for attaching the converting segment to an adjacent converting segment;

wherein the continuous arcs defined by the semi-circular outer surfaces, measured in degrees, add up to about 360 degrees.

2. The weightlifting converting device of claim 1 , comprising three or more of the converting segments arranged in the chain.

3. The weightlifting converting device of claim 1 , comprising eight or more of the converting segments arranged in the chain.

4. The weightlifting converting device of claim 1 , wherein the continuous arc defined by each semi-circular outer surface, measured in degrees, is about 360 divided by the number of converting segments in the chain.

5. The weightlifting converting device of claim 1 , wherein each semi-circular outer surface is semi-cylindrical.

6. The weightlifting converting device of claim 1 , wherein each planar inner surface has pockets formed therein.

7. The weightlifting converting device of claim 1 , wherein the hinge elements comprise a female hinge element at the first end of each converting segment and a male hinge element at the second end of each converting segment.

8. The weightlifting converting device of claim 1 , wherein at least some of the converting segments in the chain are permanently hinged together.

9. The weightlifting converting device of claim 8 , wherein the converting segments arranged in the chain are formed as a continuous unitary device.

10. The weightlifting converting device of claim 9 , wherein the hinge elements between converting segments are formed as a bridging piece of flexible material.

11. A weightlifting converting device comprising twelve converting segments arranged in a chain, wherein each converting segment includes:

a semi-circular outer surface defining a continuous arc, a planar inner surface opposite the semi-circular outer surface, a first side, a second side, a first end and a second end;

first and second sleeve members extending inward from the first and second sides, respectively, and beyond the planar inner surface; and

hinge elements for attaching each converting segment to an adjacent converting segment;

wherein the continuous arcs defined by the semicircular outer surfaces, measured in degrees, add up to about 360 degrees.

12. The weightlifting converting device of claim 11 , wherein the hinge elements include a pivoting mechanism and a fastening mechanism.

13. The weightlifting converting device of claim 11 , wherein at least some of the converting segments in the chain are permanently connected together.

14. A combination, including a polygonal weightlifting plate having three or more flat outer edges and corners between the flat outer edges, and a weightlifting converting device;

the weightlifting converting device including a plurality of converting segments equal in number to the plurality of flat outer edges, each converting segment covering one of the flat outer edges;

each converting segment including a semi-circular outer surface defining a continuous arc, and a planar inner surface opposite the semi-circular outer surface that engages a flat outer edge of the polygonal weightlifting plate;

wherein the converting segments are arranged in a chain such that the continuous arcs defined by the semi-circular outer surfaces add up to about 360 degrees and together define a circular outer surface of the combination.

15. The combination of claim 14 , wherein the semi-circular outer surface of each converting segment is semi-cylindrical.

16. The combination of claim 14 , wherein the polygonal weightlifting plate has at least six of the flat edges and the weightlifting converting device has an equal number of the converting segments.

17. The combination of claim 14 , wherein the polygonal weightlifting plate comprises twelve of the flat edges, the weightlifting converting device comprises twelve of the converting segments, and the continuous arc defined by each semi-circular outer surface is about 30 degrees.

18. The combination of claim 14 , wherein each of the converting segments further comprises first and second members that extend inward from the planar inner surface and over a rim of the polygonal weightlifting plate.

19. The combination of claim 14 , wherein the converting segments comprise a material having a Shore A hardness of about 70 to about 100.

20. The combination of claim 19 , wherein the Shore A hardness of the material is about 80 to 90.