ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 23 -- United States Patent no. 12,502,571, issued on Dec. 23.
"Soft, silent weightlifting plates" was invented by Laura Allen (Portland, Ore.) and Scott Donnell (Portland, Ore.).
According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "A soft, silent barbell or dumbbell plate designed for low cost fabrication, shipping and sales. It incorporates a leak proof seal to ensure the sand, steel shot or other filler will not come out of the plate during use. It is adjustable in weight and with its durable outer shell, will not mark or chip floors. Since the plate's outer surface is flexible and the general geometric circular plate configuration may deform slightly, the plate is substantially silent in use...