Bench with Self-Adjusting Gap

Abstract

Improvements in a bench is disclosed. The bench is configured so the gap between the seat and the backrest is adjusted as angle of the back rest is changed. The gap is maintained my sliding or translating the backrest or the seat on the frame as the angle of the back rest is changed. This can be with a rack and pinion, a tension strap, or a mechanical linkage. The mechanism converts the angular change of the backrest to a linear translation or an arc translation to alter the position of the backrest, seat, or a combination thereof to prevent contact between the seat and the back rest and prevents creation of a large gap between the seat and the backrest that can cause discomfort. In some embodiments, the gap is adjusted based upon an angle of a constrained brace that locks the backrest at fixed angles.

Description

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

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INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to improvements to a bench, and more particularly to an adjustable bench which self-adjusts the gap between the bench seat pad and the back support pad to keep a minimal gap as the angle of the back rest is adjusted.

Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

A workout bench is a common exercise equipment for the users who work out in their homes or in club gyms. The workout bench is designed for the users to efficiently perform sit-ups, abdominal work, and upper body workout. A conventional type of bench comprises a body bench, and a foam-cushioned leg pad on a supporting frame that supports the body bench standing on the ground floor. The frame has limited adjustment for the angle of inclination of the back support with respect to the ground floor. This type of bench can be designed to be folded or compact for easier storage.

In addition, an improved adjustable workout bench is provided in the current market, wherein the improved adjustable workout bench comprises a seat support, a back support, a pair of foam-cushioned leg pad, a supporting frame to support the seat support and the back support standing on the ground floor to form a predetermined angle of inclination with respect to the ground floor, and a back adjusting arrangement adapted to adjust the angle between the back support and the supporting frame. In other words, the angle between the back support and the supporting frame is adjustable to meet the user needs for a variety of exercises. However, this improved adjustable workout bench has a major drawback. The mechanism structure of the back-adjusting arrangement allows for a gap between the seat and the backrest. While the user is sitting or lying on the improved adjustable workout bench, the user's lower back is not supported due to the gap that is created between the backrest and the seat. Additionally, the structure of many benches creates a miss-match opening between the surfaces and creates a protrusion that passes through the gap that will dig into the user's back.

What is needed is a bench with an adjustable seat and adjustable backrest that includes many angles and provides full lower back support by eliminating the gap between the backrest and the seat. The elimination of the gap between the seat and backrest also prevents pain due to the user encountering the bench frame. The disclosure found in this document provides the solution with an adjustable bench which self-adjusts the gap between the bench and the back support.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the adjustable bench to provide an adjustable bench which comprises an inclinable back support and a seat support which can adjust the distance between the seat and the back support as the angle of the back support is adjusted.

It is another object of the adjustable bench to provide an adjustable bench, wherein the adjustable bench comprises a supporting frame having a first leg member and a second leg member adapted to support the back support and the seat support to securely standing on the ground floor.

It is another object of the adjustable bench to provide an adjustable bench, wherein the adjustable bench comprises a back adjusting arrangement having a plurality of angle adjusting retainers arranged on the first leg member and an adjusting arm inclinedly arranged between the back support and the first leg member to securely lock on one of the angle adjusting retainers.

It is another object of the adjustable bench to provide an adjustable backrest, wherein the adjusting arm comprises a pivot end pivotally connected on a predetermined position of a bottom face of the back support and a free end movably locked on the angle adjusting retainer to form an adjusting angle between the back support and the first leg member.

It is another object of the adjustable bench to provide an adjustable seat, wherein the supporting frame comprises a seat adjusting arrangement having a common pivot end pivotally connected on the bottom front end of the back support adapted to activate transversal movement of the seat support.

It is still another object of the adjustable bench to provide an adjustable bench, wherein no expensive and complicated structure is required to be employed in the present invention to achieve the above-mentioned objects. Therefore, the present invention successfully provides an economic and efficient solution that allows the user easily adjust locations of the back support and the seat support to fit with different kinds of bodies of the users.

According to the adjustable bench, the foregoing and other objects and advantages are attained by an adjusting bench, comprising: a back frame comprising a back support and a back adjusting arrangement to adjust the back support. A seat frame comprising a seat support and a seat adjusting arrangement to adjust a height of the seat support and a distance between the seat support and the back support. A supporting frame comprising a first leg frame and a second leg frame adapted to support the back support and the seat support securely standing on a ground floor.

Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a bench with a self-adjusting gap.

FIG. 2A shows a first bottom perspective of the bench with a self-adjusting gap.

FIG. 2B shows a second bottom perspective view of the bench with a self-adjusting gap.

FIG. 3A shows a cross-sectional view of the bench with a self-adjusting gap cut through the center of the bench with a self-adjusting gap.

FIG. 3B shows a bottom perspective view of the bench with a self-adjusting gap.

FIG. 4A shows a side sectional view of the bench with a self-adjusting gap with the bench at a negative incline.

FIG. 4B shows a side sectional view of the bench with a self-adjusting gap with the bench set at neutral.

FIG. 4C shows a side sectional view of the bench with the backrest set vertically.

FIG. 5A shows a perspective view of the bench with a self-adjusting gap at a third embodiment.

FIG. 5B shows another perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the bench with a self-adjusting gap at a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the bench with a self-adjusting gap at a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 8A shows a perspective view of the bench with a self-adjusting gap at a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 8B shows the sixth embodiment at a different backrest rotational position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It will be readily understood that the components of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the drawings herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the system and method of the present invention, as represented in the drawings, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention but is merely representative of various embodiments of the invention. The illustrated embodiments of the invention will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout.

Item Numbers and Description
10 adjustable bench   19 pad
20 front support tube 21 wheel
22 pin                23 front leg
24 rear support tube  25 rear leg
26 stop(s)            27 stop pad
28 guide tube         29 stop tube
30 brace              31 handle
32 pinion             33 keeper tube
34 side plate         35 keeper
38 plate              39 seat pivot
40 first pivot        41 short arm
42 third pivot        43 second pivot
44 long arm           45 curved slot
46 fourth pivot       47 bent arm
48 fifth pivot        49 slot
50 seat               51 knob
52 front tube         53 plate
60 strap              61 clamp
62 tube               63 tube
64 clamp              65 elastic cord
70 back rest          71 tube
72 slot               73 slide bolt
74 sleeve             75 slide pad or glide
70R rotated back rest 76 bolt
77 rack               78 pivot bolt
90 gap                96 move
97 positive rotation  98 negative rotation
99 travel

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a bench with a self-adjusting gap 10. Bench with a self-adjusting gap 10 is supported on a front support tube 20 and a rear support tube 24. Each of these tubes 20 and 24 is shown with end caps or pads 19 that protect the support tubes from harming a floor and further reduce movement of the self-adjusting gap 10 on the ground. A front leg 23 is connected between the front support tube 20 and the main frame plate(s) 53, and the rear leg 25 connects from the support tube 24 to the frame plate(s) 53. The rear leg 25 has a plurality of stops 26 that provides stops for setting an angle for the travel 99 of a back rest 70 relative to a seat 50. A pair of guide tubes 28 keep the handle 31 in proximity to the plurality of stops 26. The stops 26 hold the backrest at 0, 20, 30, 45, 60, 85 degrees of rotation. While these rotation positions are identified, there can be more or less positions and degrees of rotation.

The handle 31 is connected through a brace 30 to the back rest 70 with a pivoting connection that is visible in other figures. The back rest 70 is shown in its range-of-motion travel 99. At the lowest position the back rest 70 sits on a stop pad 27. At the other extreme of travel 99 the back rest 70R is in an essentially vertical position.

FIG. 2A shows a first bottom perspective of the bench with a self-adjusting gap 10 and FIG. 2B shows a second bottom perspective view of the bench with a self-adjusting gap 10. These two opposing underside views show a preferred embodiment that uses a rack 77 and a pinion 32 to move 96 or translate the back rest 70 as the angle of the brace 30 is rotated relative to the back rest 70. The self-adjusting gap 10 is supported on the front supporting tube 20 and the rear supporting tube 24 on pads 19. The rear support tube 24 is shown with wheel(s) 21 that allows the self-adjusting gap 10 to more easily be moved. When the self-adjusting gap 10 is flat on the ground the wheels 21 are elevated. The rear leg 25 is shown connecting through plates 53 to the front leg 23.

The handle 31 is constrained to move between the rear leg 25 and the guide tube 28. As the back rest 70 is lifted, the angle of the brace 30 relative to the back rest 70 changes through pivot axis bolt 76. The frame/tube 71 pivots at pivot bolt 78 to change the angle of the back rest 70 relative to the seat 50. The angular change rotates the pinion 32 on the rack 77 that forces the back rest 70 to move 96 or translate. The back rest 70 has a plurality of slide bolts 73 that travel in slots 72 in a tube 71 that allows the back rest 70 to move relative to the seat 50. At the lowest rotation position of the back rest 70, the underside of the back rest 70 will rest against the stop pad 27. The plates 53 support of the seat 50 including an angle of the seat 50 relative to the rear leg 25 and plates 53.

FIG. 3A shows a cross-sectional view of the bench with a self-adjusting gap 10 cut through the center of the bench with a self-adjusting gap 10 and FIG. 3B shows a bottom perspective view of the bench with a self-adjusting gap 10. The handle 31 is constrained to move between the rear leg 25 and the brace 30. The constraint causes the angle of the guide tube to change and forces the pinion 32 to drive the rack 77. As the back rest 70 is lifted, the angle of the brace 30 relative to the back rest 70 changes through pivot axis bolt 76. The frame −tube 71 pivots at pivot bolt 78 to change the angle of the back rest 70 relative to the seat 50. The angular change rotates the pinion 32 on the rack 77 that forces the back rest 70 to move 96 or translate.

The back rest 70 has a plurality of slide bolts 73 that travel in slots 72 in a tube 71 that allows the back rest 70 to move relative to the seat 50. At the lowest rotation position of the back rest 70, the underside of the back rest 70 will rest against the stop pad 27. The rear leg 25 has a plurality of stops 26 with a stop tube 29 engaged on a stop. The stops 26 set an angle for the travel of a back rest 70 relative to a seat 50. A pair of guide tubes 28 keep the handle 31 in proximity to the plurality of stops 26. A user can lift the handle 31 and move the handle within the opening between the guide tube 28 and the rear leg 25. The handle 31 controls the sequence of motion for the back rest 70 and the brace 30. Images of the moved backrest relative to the frame are shown and described in the preceding figures.

FIG. 4A shows a side sectional view of the bench with a self-adjusting gap 10 with the bench at a negative incline, FIG. 4B shows a side sectional view of the bench with a self-adjusting gap 10 with the bench set at neutral and FIG. 4C shows a side sectional view of the bench with the backrest set vertically. In FIG. 4A the tube 71 is shown sitting on the stop pad 27. With the back rest 70 in the negative rotation 98 position the pinion 32 is at one extreme of the rack 77, whereas is FIG. 4C with the back rest 70 in positive rotation 97 the pinion 32 is at the other extreme position of the rack 77. In these figures the gap 90 is essentially the same and prevents the cushions of the backrest 70 from “crashing” into the seat or become deformed. When the seat 50 and backrest 70 rub or crush together it can cause harm and requires pre-mature replacement of one or both cushions.

FIG. 5A shows a perspective view of the bench with a self-adjusting gap 10 at a third embodiment and FIG. 5B shows another perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5A. These figures show another embodiment of a keeper 35 that maintains the position of the brace 30 in relative position near the rear leg 25. The keeper 35 has side plates 34 or bars with a keeper tube 33 that essentially boxes the keeper around the rear leg 25. As the angle of the tube 71 is moved, the tube 71 will pivot on the pivot bolt 78. This will change the angle of the brace 30 relative to the tube 71 and the pinion 32 will rotate on the bolt 76 to move 96 or translate the rack 77 and the back rest 70. The back rest 70 has a plurality of slide bolts 73 that travel in slots 72 in a tube 71 that allows the back rest 70 to move relative to the seat 50. The slide bolt 73 can have a sleeve 74 to cushion the slide bolt 73 within the slot 72. Slide pads or glides 75 also cushions the underside of the back rest 70 on the tube(s) 71.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the bench with a self-adjusting gap at a third embodiment. This embodiment uses a belt 60 that is retained by a clamp 64 to the underside of the backrest 70 at a mid-point and is clamped at the ends of the belt on to the brace 30. This embodiment uses the keeper tube 33 with side plates 34 to guide the guide tube, but other embodiments that were previously disclosed to guide the brace 30 could be equally used. Instead of a rack and pinion, the strap 60 is tracked around bearing tubes 62 and 63. The mid-travel of the strap 60 is clamped onto the underside of the backrest 70. As the brace 30 pivots on the axis bolt 76 the strap 60 is placed into tension and will move 96 or translate the back rest on the frame tube 71.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the bench with a self-adjusting gap at a fourth embodiment. This embodiment uses a strap 60 that is retained to the backrest 70. The clamp 64 connects the strap 60 to an elastic cord 65 and the backrest 70. The elastic cord 65 also connects to the frame tube 71 and maintains both tension of the strap 60 and pulls the backrest 70 away from the seat 50. The other end of the strap 60 is secured with a clamp 61 onto the brace 30. As the brace 30 is rotated the strap wraps (or unwraps) around the bearing tube 63 to allow the backrest 70 to move and maintain the gap between the backrest 70 and the seat 50.

FIG. 8A shows a perspective view of the bench with a self-adjusting gap at a fifth embodiment and FIG. 8B shows the fifth embodiment at a different backrest 70R rotational position. In this embodiment, the backrest 70 pivots on pivot bolt 78 without the backrest 70 translating. The gap is maintained by movement of the seat 50. A plate 38 is secured to the backrest 70 and rotates with the backrest 70. The plate 38 has a curved slot 45 and a third pivot 42 follows the curved slot 45. A short arm 41 is connected at a first end to a first pivot 40 and at a second end to a second pivot 43. The short arm 41 constrains movement of a long arm 44. The long arm 44 is connected at a first end to a third pivot 42 that tracks in the curved slot 45 and at a second end to a fourth pivot 46 that connects to a bent arm 47. The bent arm 47 pivots through a fifth pivot 48 and is connected at a first end to the fourth pivot 46 and at a second end to a seat pivot 39 in a slot 49. The slot 49 pushes and pulls on the seat pivot 39 pin on the seat 50 to push the seat forward or back.

Thus, specific embodiments of a bench with a self-adjusting gap have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims.

Claims

1: A bench with a self-adjusting gap comprising: a frame having a pivoting backrest;a seat connected to said frame;a mechanical linkage between said frame and said backrest or said seat whereby;when an angle between said backrest and said frame is changed, said mechanical linkage alters a gap between said backrest and said seat.

2: The bench with a self-adjusting gap according to claim 1, wherein said backrest is secured to translate in said frame with at least two slide bolts each within at least a slot in said frame.

3: The bench with a self-adjusting gap according to claim 2, wherein there are at least four slide bolts each within their own separate slot in said frame.

4: The bench with a self-adjusting gap according to claim 2, wherein backrest is supported on at least one glide between an underside of said backrest and said frame.

5: The bench with a self-adjusting gap according to claim 1, wherein said backrest has a brace between said backrest and said frame.

6: The bench with a self-adjusting gap according to claim 5, wherein said brace is constrained in a distance between said brace and said frame.

7: The bench with a self-adjusting gap according to claim 2, wherein said brace is linked to said back rest with a rack and pinion wherein said rack and pinion provides said translation to said backrest as said angle of said backrest is altered.

8: The bench with a self-adjusting gap according to claim 7, wherein said pinion rotates through an axis in said frame.

9: The bench with a self-adjusting gap according to claim 8, wherein said rack is located on said back rest and said pinion is located on said brace.

10: The bench with a self-adjusting gap according to claim 2, wherein said brace is linked to said back rest with at least one strap wherein said strap provides a translation to said backrest as said angle of said backrest is altered.

11: The bench with a self-adjusting gap according to claim 10, wherein strap is secured at a first end to said brace.

12: The bench with a self-adjusting gap according to claim 11, wherein said strap pulls and said backrest along said frame.

13: The bench with a self-adjusting gap according to claim 12, wherein strap is secured at a second end to said brace.

14: The bench with a self-adjusting gap according to claim 11, wherein strap is secured to an underside of said backrest at a location between said first end of said strap and a second end of said strap.

15: The bench with a self-adjusting gap according to claim 14, wherein said strap wraps around at least one tube between said first end of said strap and said underside of said backrest.

16: The bench with a self-adjusting gap according to claim 13, wherein strap is secured at a second end to at least one cord or strap.

17: The bench with a self-adjusting gap according to claim 5, wherein said frame further includes a rear leg having a plurality of stops that hold said brace in position on said backrest to create a flat or an angle of said backrest to said seat.

18: The bench with a self-adjusting gap according to claim 2, further includes a multiple bar linkage between said backrest and said frame.

19: The bench with a self-adjusting gap according to claim 18, wherein said multiple bar linkage includes at least one straight or one curved slot.

20: The bench with a self-adjusting gap according to claim 2, wherein said mechanical linkage moves said seat towards and/or, away and/or over said backrest.