Patent Application
20140106949
The present invention generally relates to fitness equipment, and more particularly to door-mounted fitness equipment that uses resilient elastic cords to provide resistance exercises.
Exercising is a popular activity for maintaining fitness and promoting overall good health. Numerous options exist for exercising, such as jogging, hiking, cycling, weight training, racquetball, and many others. In the area of weight training, for example, free-standing bars, dumbbells, weight plates, and other heavy objects have long been used as part of exercise routines aimed at improving muscular strength and endurance. In addition, machines have been developed for providing weight training exercises. While some of these machines are large and costly, and are therefore usually found in fitness clubs, others are small and less expensive, and are generally more likely found in homes and offices. Thus, exercise equipment that can mount on a wall or on a door in a home or office provides an alternative to the larger and more costly machines.
In U.S. Pat. No. 232,579, which is an early example of wall-mounted fitness equipment, a partially elastic cord is passed around pulleys, which are mounted on a wall. A user grasps the cord and exerts his strength against the resistance provided by the elastic portion of the cord to perform exercises. The pulleys are mounted to the wall by a screw or hook, and therefore represent a permanent or semi-permanent installation on the wall.
U.S. Pat. No. 689,418 is also an early example of fitness equipment and discloses a door-mounted exercising machine that extends between the top and bottom of a door. The exercising machine uses a collection of elastic cords to provide resistance-based exercise. In particular, the collection of elastic cords is connected with a holder, and a cord passes through a pulley on the holder. The cord also passes through additional pulleys that are situated in an appropriate position on the door so that handles on the cord are presented for grasping by a user. A user grasps the cord by its handles and exerts his strength against the resistance provided by the collection of elastic cords to perform exercises.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,109,907 discloses another example of door-mounted fitness equipment. Pulleys are mounted to clips that extend over the top of a door, and a cord is passed over each pulley. A weight is attached at one end of each cord, and a handle at the other. A user grasps the handle of each cord and exerts his strength against the resistance provided by the weights to perform exercises.
Door-mounted fitness equipment has continued to develop from these early examples and the marketplace currently provides several popular products. For example, the “Tower 200” product sold by the Body By Jake company and the “Weider X-Factor” product sold by the Weider Fitness company are both door-mounted devices that use elastic cords and can be configured to provide a variety of exercise movements. For example, a user can grasp handles from several positions to perform exercises such as chest presses, shoulder presses, pull-downs, abdominal crunches, and many others. However, these particular devices come pre-assembled with elastic cords that provide a limited amount of resistance that some users may find insufficient, or in some cases, excessive. Where insufficient resistance is provided, a user will not be able to achieve a maximal level of exertion and may not receive exercise commensurate with his abilities. Alternatively, the resistance provided by a particular device may be excessive. As a result, the user will not be able to use the device, and therefore will be deprived of its benefits. The construction of such devices may not allow for adjustment of the resistance. Thus, the user cannot easily replace or modify the elastic cords so as to be able to change the amount of resistance provided thereby.
Also, in these particular devices, the upper components that attach to the top of the door are pre-assembled and connected by the cords to the lower components that attach to the bottom of the door. As a result of this connected and pre-assembled configuration, the entire collection of upper components, lower components, and cords must be handled at the same time. In other words, a user cannot install the upper components onto a door without at the same time contending with the lower components and the cords, which can make installation, storage, and transportation of the devices somewhat cumbersome.
Thus, a need exists for improvements in the door-mounted fitness equipment technology area that address one or more of the shortcomings presented by the prior art.
The present invention provides a fitness device that can be mounted on a door and a pulley member that allows for an elastic resistance cord used with the fitness device to be easily installed and removed therefrom. To that end, and in accordance with one feature of the present invention, a fitness device is provided for mounting on a door and being useful for performing resistance exercises. The fitness device includes an upper member including a door anchor for securing the upper member to the door, and a first pulley support bracket having a first pivot pin. The fitness device further includes a lower member including a door anchor for securing the lower member to the door, and a second pulley support bracket having a second pivot pin. The fitness device further includes an elastic cord configured to extend generally between the upper and lower members and being associated with first and second pulley members. The first pulley member is configured to be held selectively captive on the first pivot pin, and the second pulley member is configured to be held selectively captive on the second pivot pin.
In accordance with another feature of the present invention, a pulley member for use with a door-mountable fitness device is provided. In particular, the pulley member is for use with a door-mountable fitness device having a pulley support bracket having a pivot pin that includes nubs extending from an outer wall thereof. The pulley member includes a body having a mounting portion and a pulley portion. The mounting portion includes a bore configured to receive the pivot pin of the fitness device, and the bore includes keyways configured to receive the nubs of the pivot pin.
In accordance with yet another feature of the present invention, a method of manipulating a pulley member with respect to a pivot pin of a fitness device is provided. The method includes positioning a bore of the pulley member onto the pivot pin so the pulley member is held selectively captive on the pivot pin in a manner appropriate for using the fitness device.
By virtue of the foregoing, there is thus provided a fitness device, a pulley member therefor, and related methods, all having desirable qualities, but without the limitations of the prior art. Particularly, a fitness device and pulley members are provided, wherein the pulley members are easily installed on and removed from the fitness device. The pulley members being easily installed and removed allows a user to install and remove elastic cords on the fitness device, providing control over the selection of the elastic cords used with the fitness device. For example, a user can select and use elastic cords that provide a desired amount of resistance. These and other advantages of the present invention shall be made apparent from the accompanying drawings and the description thereof.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the general description of the invention given above and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the present invention.
Referring now to the drawings and beginning with
As shown in
The upper member 14 of the device 10 includes two generally similar door anchors 40 for connecting with the door 12. In particular, each door anchor 40 includes a first, generally vertical, portion 42 and a second, generally horizontal, portion 44. The second portion 44 extends over the top surface 24 of the door 12, and the first portion 42 extends downwardly from the second portion 44 along the back side 22 of the door 12. Pads 46 can be included on the first and second portions 42, 44 so that the door anchor 40 does not damage the finish as it rests on the door 12. The second portion 44 extends beyond the front side 20 of the door 12, and an arm 50 of the upper member 14 depends downwardly from the second portion 44 generally near the front side 20 in the region of the top rail portion 26. The arm 50 extends between a proximal end 52 near the door anchor 40 and a distal end 54 away from the door anchor 40. Positioning slots 56 are included in the arm 50 between the proximal and distal ends 52, 54. A pad 46 can be included on the arm 50, such as near the distal end 54, as shown, so that the arm 40 does not damage the finish as it rests on the door 12.
A pulley set support bracket 60 of the upper member 14 is attached to each arm 50 and includes a generally u-shaped body 62 that fits around the arm 50. A lip 64 extends downwardly from the body 62, and a ledge 66 extends from the lip 64 away from the body 62. Support bracket 60 includes a locking arm 68 having a hook portion 70 for engaging the positioning slots 56 of the arm 50 so as to maintain a position of the support bracket 60 along the arm 50. Locking arm 68, as shown, can pivot about an axle 72 in order that the hook portion 70 may be moved into and out of locking engagement with the positioning slots 56. Thus, the locking arms 68 and the positioning slots 56 provide for the adjustable positioning of the support brackets 60 along the arms 50 so that the distance of the support brackets 60 from the top surface 24 of the door 12 can be adjusted.
Pivot pins 80 are connected with the ledge 66 of the support bracket 60. As shown each pivot pin 80 has a generally circular cross section shape and extends between a base 82 and a tip 84, with the base 82 generally near the ledge 66 and the pivot pin 80 extending upwardly therefrom so the tip 84 is above the base 82. Of course, other shapes are also possible for the pivot pins 80, such as those having different cross sectional shapes.
According to certain embodiments of the invention, the pivot pins 80 also include one or more retainer members for holding a pulley member selectively captive on the pivot pin. As used herein, the term “selectively captive” refers to the condition where a pulley member is retained on a pivot pin in a manner appropriate for using the fitness device, but also where the pulley member can be removed from the pivot pin by a user without the need for tools separate from the fitness device. Thus, while the retainer members are configured to hold the pulley members selectively captive on the pivot pins, they are also configured to allow a user to relatively easily remove and install the pulley members on the pivot pins.
In the embodiment shown in
With reference to
Pivot pins 120 are connected with the ledge 118 of the support bracket 110. As shown each pivot pin 120 has a generally circular cross section shape and extends between a base 122 and a tip 124, with the base 122 generally near the ledge 118. The pivot pin 120 extends downwardly from the base 122 and away from the front side 20 of the door 12 so the tip 124 is below the base 122. Of course, other shapes are also possible for the pivot pins 120, such as those having different cross sectional shapes.
Like the pivot pins 80, and according to certain embodiments of the invention, the pivot pins 120 also include one or more retainer members for holding a pulley member selectively captive on the pivot pin. In the embodiment shown in
Each of the resilient cords 18a-18f is associated with a pair of substantially similar pulley members 140a-f and 140a′-140f, respectively. For example, the resilient cord 18a is associated with pulley members 140a and 140a′, with pulley member 140a being associated with the upper member 14 and pulley member 140a′ being associated with the lower member 16. As will be explained more fully below, the pulley members 140a-f and 140a′-f′ are easily installed on and removed from the upper and lower members 14, 16, as shown in
Because the pulley members 140a-140f and 140a′-140f′ are substantially similar, features of a single pulley member 140a will be described. In addition, because the installation of the pulley members 140a-140f is substantially similar for the upper and lower members 14, 16, reference will be made to the interaction of the features of the upper member 14 with the pulley member 140a.
Pulley member 140a includes a body 142 having a mounting portion 144 and a pulley portion 146. The mounting portion 144 includes a bore 148 configured to receive a pivot pin 80. As shown, the bore 148 is a through bore having a shape that generally corresponds with the shape of the pivot pin 80. To that end, the bore 148 includes keyways 150 for receiving the nubs 86 on the pivot pin 80. In particular, the keyways extend along substantially the entire length of the bore 148, and have a shape that corresponds with the nubs 86. Particularly, the keyways 150 include a three-sided trough extending from the bore 148 into the body 142 in order to generally correspond with and accommodate the shape of the nubs 86. Given this configuration, the installation and removal of the pulley member 140a from the pivot pin 80 is limited to when the keyways 150 of the bore 148 are aligned with the nubs 86 of the pivot pin 80. Near the mounting portion 144, the body 142 includes an upper surface 152, a lower surface 154, side surfaces 156, 158, a front surface 160, and a back surface 162.
The pulley portion 146 of the pulley member 140a extends from the mounting portion 144 and includes fingers 170 having a proximal portion 172 near the mounting portion 144 and a distal portion 174 away from the mounting portion 144. A wheel space 176 is defined between the fingers 170 near the distal portion 174, and a wheel 178 is mounted on an axle 180 in the wheel space 176. As shown, the wheel 178 includes a groove 182 between two flanges 184 in order to guide the elastic cord 18a as it travels around the wheel 178.
With reference to
Removal of the pulley member 140a from the pivot pin follows similar principles as disclosed above for installation. In particular, the pulley member 140a is pivoted on the pivot pin 80 until the nubs 86 are aligned with the keyways 150 in the bore 148 of the pulley member 140a. Then, the pulley member 140a may be moved away from the ledge 66 of the support bracket 60, with the nubs 86 being received in the keyways 150, until the pulley member 140a is completely removed from the pivot pin 80.
Because of their similarity, all of the pulley members 140a-140f and 140a′-140f′ are installed and removed from the respective pivot pins 80 or 120 in a manner similar to what is described above.
Turning next to
As shown in
As shown in
Advantageously, a user can benefit from pulley members being easily installed onto and removed from a fitness device, as disclosed herein. For example, a set of elastic cords can be supplied that provide a range of resistances, with each elastic cord being associated with pulley members constructed according to the present invention. If a user desires one or more elastic cords having heavy resistance, the same can be easily installed onto the device. If it becomes necessary to remove elastic cords and pulley members from the device before installing desired elastic cords, the removal is also easily accomplished. Advantageously, the ability to use a wide range of elastic cords with the device increases the number of users who could receive its benefits, including those desiring either high resistance or low resistance. And, because of the configuration of the pivot pins (including their nubs) and the bores in the pulley members (including their keyways), the pulley members are held selectively captive on the pivot pins during normal use and are only removed when the nubs and keyways are aligned, which typically occurs only with deliberate manipulation. Further, all of the elastic cords can be removed from the device for easy installation, storage, and transport. For example, the upper member can be installed onto a door and adjustments made thereto without the user having to contend with elastic cords and the lower member being attached. In addition, the upper member, lower member, and elastic cords/pulley members can be stored separately, improving packaging and transport. For example, a user could easily package the various components of the device in a bag and take them with him for exercise away from home, such as in a hotel. Upon arriving at the hotel, the components are easily assembled into an operable fitness device, and one that provides a desired amount of resistance as chosen by the user.
In addition, the device 10 includes a lateral connector assembly 190 that provides for widthwise adjustment of the components. Lateral connector assembly 190 includes a first portion 192 connecting the door anchors 40 of the upper member 14, a second portion 194 connecting the support brackets 60 of the upper member 14, and a third portion 196 connecting the support brackets 110 of the lower member 16. Each of the first, second, and third portions 192, 194, 196 may include a telescoping tubular arrangement, so that a first tube portion thereof is slidably received within a second tube portion thereof. In addition, any or all of the first, second, and third portions 192, 194, 196 may include a locking pin, such as a spring loaded pin, to selectively fix the position of the respective first and second tube portions.
Fitness devices constructed according to the concepts disclosed herein provide several advantages over prior art forms. For example, a fitness device is provided that can be mounted on a door and is useful for performing resistance exercises. In addition, because pulley members can be easily installed onto and removed from the fitness device, a user can choose an elastic cord of his choosing. This is an improvement over devices that provide pre-installed elastic cords that do not provide a desired amount of resistance and do not allow the user to easily replace or modify the elastic cords. In addition, the components of the fitness device can be separated, which improves installation, storage, and transport.
While the present invention has been illustrated by a description of particular embodiments thereof and specific examples, and while the embodiments have been described in some detail, they are not intended to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. For example, while in some embodiments, each pivot pin includes two nubs and each bore includes two keyways, other numbers of nubs and keyways could also be used, such as matching numbers of nubs and keyways. Additionally, the shape configuration of the nubs and keyways could be modified in any suitable way. Further, while in some embodiments each pivot pin includes two fingers in a spring loaded detent assembly, other numbers of fingers could also be used. Also, while each pulley support bracket shown in the figures includes three pivot pins and supports three pulley members, different numbers of pivot pins and pulley members could be provided on each support bracket. Further, while in certain embodiments the pulley members include a through bore, a blind bore could also be used. For example, a blind bore could include keyways for receiving nubs therein, and could include an annular channel in the body of the pulley member at a desired position along the bore. Once the nubs reached the annular channel, the pulley member could pivot on the pivot pin with the nubs travelling in the annular channel. The pulley member would thus be held selectively captive on the pivot pin until the nubs and keyways were again aligned.
The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the scope or spirit of the general inventive concept.
