1. Field
The example embodiments in general are directed to an exercise device, more particularly to an exercise device adjustable into a variety of positions for performing a multitude of different exercises.
2. Related Art
Exercise devices are widely marketed. Examples include exercise devices for performing pull-ups, chin-ups, dips, push-ups, rows, sit-ups, crunches, and leg-raises. In order to perform all of these exercises, one would typically need to acquire numerous, disparate exercise devices. The space for using and storing these disparate devices may be prohibitive for users in smaller homes and apartments. Additionally, the cost of purchasing such devices can make staying fit overly expensive.
Due in part to the difficulties in acquiring and owning sufficient home exercise equipment, many consumers turn to commercial gyms in order to improve and maintain their fitness. However, the monthly fees of a gym membership often add-up to a significant amount of money over the course of several years. There is, therefore, a long-standing yet unmet need for exercise equipment allowing those who desire to improve and maintain their fitness to do so from the home, without the need for numerous, costly or bulky exercise devices.
Of the exercise devices presently marketed for a primary purpose of performing pull-ups and chin-ups, or rows and dips, whether free-standing, doorway-mounted, or wall-mounted, only a single height is possible for performing these exercises. The result of a single-height exercise device is that taller users must maintain their legs raised off the ground surface through the bottom portion of the exercise. This is not an ideal form to execute such exercises, nor is it convenient to the user. Additionally, shorter users may have trouble reaching the grips and getting into position on single-height exercise devices. Accordingly, there remains a long-standing need for home exercise equipment which is both height-adjustable and affordable.
An example embodiment of the present invention is directed to an exercise device configured to be secured within a doorway for performing exercises and configured for use on a ground surface to perform exercises. The device includes an elongate, horizontal bar configured for engagement with a top surface of horizontal doorframe trim extending along a rear facing wall directly above the doorway, a pair of support arms in parallel spaced relation to one other, each support arm having a first end attached to a respective end of the horizontal bar and extending downward therefrom so that second ends of the support arms extend forward of the horizontal bar through the doorway, and an elongate pivot bar extending through apertures in the second ends of the support arms so as to be perpendicular to the support arms, the pivot bar having a telescoping bar portion inserted in each end thereof which is retractable into and extensible out of its respective pivot bar end, each telescoping bar portion engageable with front-facing, vertical door trim on each side of the doorway to assist in securing the exercise device in the doorway with the horizontal bar. The device further includes a pair of pivot arms in parallel spaced relation to one other and having first ends with apertures therein through which the pivot bar extends in perpendicular relation thereto, a first end of each pivot arm adjacent a corresponding second end of a support arm on the pivot bar, the pivot arms configured to be rotated about the pivot bar at their first ends so as to be oriented and secured in a plurality of different angular positions relative to the support arms. Each pivot arm terminates in a second end having an aperture therein through which an elongate pull-up bar extends between in perpendicular relation thereto.
Another example embodiment is directed to an exercise device which includes an elongate, horizontal bar configured for engagement with doorframe trim extending along a rear facing wall above a doorway, a pair of elongate support arms, each having one end attached to the horizontal bar and extending downward therefrom to its lower end, and an elongate pivot bar connected between the support arms, the pivot bar including a telescoping bar portion inserted into each end thereof which is retractable into and extensible out of its respective pivot bar end, each telescoping bar portion engageable with front-facing, vertical door trim on each side of the doorway to assist in securing the exercise device in the doorway with the horizontal bar. The device further includes a pair of pivot arms, each pivot arm having one end through which an end of the pivot bar extends, the one end adjacent a corresponding lower end of a support arm, the pivot arms configured to be rotated about the pivot bar at their one ends so as to be oriented and secured in a plurality of different angular positions relative to the support arms, and an elongate pull-up bar extending between the other ends of the pivot arms.
Another example embodiment is directed to an exercise device which includes a horizontal bar configured for engagement with doorframe trim extending along a rear facing wall above a doorway, a pair of support arms, each having one end attached to the horizontal bar and the other end extending through the doorway, and a pivot bar connected between the support arms. The device further includes a pair of pivot arms, the pivot bar also connected between the pivot arms at first ends thereof, the pivot arms configured to be rotated about the pivot bar at their first ends so as to be oriented and secured in a plurality of different angular positions relative to the support arms, and a pull-up bar extending between second ends of the pivot arms and including grip handles attached thereto, the pull-up bar configured to be rotated about the pivot arms at their second ends so that the grips handles are oriented and secured in a plurality of different angular positions relative to the pivot arms.
Example embodiments will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are represented by like reference numerals, which are given by way of illustration only and thus are not limitative of the example embodiments herein.
As used herein, the term “doorway” refers to the opening in a wall or solid structure, and the term “doorframe” refers to the frame about a doorway including jambs, lintel, sills and any edging or molding around the doorway, for example. As used herein, the term “tubular” includes a hollow rounded cross-section, where a rounded cross-section may be circular, elliptical, and obround cross-sections, for example.
Device 1 includes a horizontal platform assembly 20 and a pair of support arms 26 in parallel, spaced relation to one another that are attached to lateral ends of the platform assembly 20. The support arms 26 extend downward and may have a generally curvilinear shape beginning at an approximate midpoint thereof so that lower ends thereof extend forward of the platform assembly 20 (through a doorway) so as to be attached to a pivot assembly 30 arranged in a horizontal plane therebetween.
The pivot assembly 30 includes an elongate, hollow pivot bar 31 extending through apertures in the lower ends of the support arms 26 so as to be perpendicular to the support arms 26, and a pair of telescoping bar portions 38. Specifically, each telescoping bar portion 38 is inserted in each end of the pivot bar 31. Each telescoping bar portion 38 is retractable into and extensible out of its respective pivot bar 31 end. As will be described in further detail below, each telescoping bar portion 38 is engageable with front-facing, vertical door trim on each side of a doorway to assist in securing the exercise device 1 in the doorway with the platform assembly 20.
Device 1 further includes a pair of generally curvilinear pivot arms 44 in parallel, spaced relation to one another that are attached to the pivot assembly 30 at first ends thereof, with second ends extending away from the pivot assembly 30. The lower ends of the support arms 26, first ends of the pivot arms 44 and a portion of the telescoping bar portions 38 at the pivot bar 31 interface are secured to the pivot assembly 30 with a pair of clamp assemblies 47. Additionally, the lower end of each support arm 26 includes an indexing plunger 36 inserted through a corresponding spacer 34 so as to be threaded into the inner-facing side of its corresponding support arm 26.
Second ends of the pivot arms 44 are attached to grip assembly 50 arranged in a horizontal plane therebetween, and are secured to the grip assembly 50 with grip collar assemblies 60. As best shown in
To assist in the smooth functioning of the device 1, a plurality of washers 66 may be arranged along the pivot assembly 30 between each support arm 26 lower end and pivot arm 44 first end, along the grip assembly 50 between each grip collar assembly 60 and pivot arm 44 second end (on one side facing of the pivot arm 44), and between each pivot arm 44 and plunger mount 58 (on the other side facing of the pivot arm 44).
As best shown in
In one example, the support arms 26 may be flat and curved in shape, and solid and rectangular in cross-section, and may be composed of a steel or hard plastic material. Each support arm 26 has a protruding tab with holes therein at an upper end thereof to receive fasteners 24 therethrough. The lower ends of the support arms terminate in a generally circular or disk shaped end. The upper portion of each support arm 26 extends vertically downward before curving forward. This vertical section allows the device to be mounted in doorways with sills that are taller than the standard 6.35 cm sills found in most homes. The curvature of the support arms 26 orients them so as to protrude through the opening of the doorway so as to position the pivot assembly 30 with its pivot bar 31 and telescoping bar portions 38 just forward of the front of the doorframe.
In an example, and centered along the body of the support arms 26 are a plurality of machined holes for the purpose of weight reduction. The circular disks forming the lower ends of the support arms 26 include two holes. A hole through the center of the disk is to receive the pivot bar 31 end of the pivot assembly 30. A lower hole is threaded for the insertion of the indexing plunger 36.
As best shown in
The indexing plungers 36 may be of a type commonly available through a number of hardware manufacturers. In an example, the indexing plungers 36 are made of a combination of plastic and steel, although other materials may be contemplated.
As best shown in
The pivot assembly 30 further includes the telescoping bar portions 38, door stops 40, and door stop pads 42. Each telescoping bar portion 38 may be embodied as a tubular section of pipe made of steel and of sufficient length and outer diameter so that a distal end thereof fits into the door stop 40 and a proximal end thereof fits into the pivot bar 31 so as to meet the opposite telescoping bar portion 38 at the half-way point of the pivot bar 31. In an example, and approximately 10.16 cm from the inner end, each telescoping bar portion 38 may have a mark indicating a minimum insertion point.
The distal end of each telescoping bar portion 38 is inserted into a hole through the side of a corresponding door stop 40, as best shown in
Each door stop pad 42 is adhered into an indentation in the front face of its door stop 40, and may have a pliable, rectangular structure. The door stop pads 42 may be formed of a foam rubber material so as to provide soft, non-marking surfaces to rest against the sides of a doorframe when the device 1 is mounted in a doorway.
The pivot arms 44 may be made of aluminum, steel or a hard plastic. Each pivot arm 44 terminates in a circular disc at both the first and second ends. In an example, and centered along the body of the pivot arm 44 may be eleven holes for the purpose of weight reduction. The circular disks forming the ends of the pivot arms 44 contain a number of holes. There is one large hole through the center of each disk of sufficient diameter to accommodate the insertion of the end of either the pivot assembly 30 or the grip assembly 50, which are equal in outer diameter. In a further example, a plurality of smaller holes is arranged in an evenly spaced circular pattern around the central hole of the disk-shaped end. These smaller holes are of a sufficient diameter to allow the easy insertion of the pin 37 of an indexing plunger 36.
As best shown in
Each clamp assembly 47 acts as a clamp in two capacities. The first is to secure the lateral position of the support arms 26 and pivot arms 44 along the pivot assembly 30. This is accomplished by tightening the inner portion of the split clamp 46 against the pivot assembly 30 by screwing the inner clamp fastener 48 into its matching hex nut 52. The second capacity, according to example embodiments, is to secure the position of the telescoping bar portion 38 in relation to the pivot assembly 30. This is accomplished by tightening the outer portion of the split clamp 46 against the surface of its corresponding telescoping bar portion 38 by screwing the outer clamp fastener 49 into its matching hex nut 52.
As best shown in
The second vertical split extends through the front face of the split clamp 46, beginning approximately one-third of the outer diameter of the tubular portion of the split clamp 46 below the top of the split clamp 46 and continuing downward through its rectangular base. This second split allows the split clamp 46 to independently clamp onto both the pivot bar 31 of the pivot assembly 30 and the telescoping bar portion 38.
In other embodiments, each split clamp 46 has an inner and an outer segment, separated by the second split. The upper tubular portion of the inner segment of the split clamp 46 has an inner diameter sufficient in size to accommodate the insertion of the pivot assembly 30. The upper tubular portion of the outer segment of the split clamp 46 has an inner diameter of sufficient in size to accommodate the insertion of the telescoping bar portion 38. Therefore, in relation to one another, the inner diameter of the inner segment of the split clamp 46 is greater than that of the outer segment. The split clamp 46 has through-holes and indentations in both the front and back faces of the lower rectangular portions of the inner and outer segments to accommodate the insertion of an inner clamp fastener 48, an outer clamp fastener 49, and their corresponding hex nuts 52.
The inner clamp fasteners 48 may be standard machine screws of a length approximately equal to the distance between front and back faces of the lower rectangular portion of the split clamp 46. In an example, the inner clamp fasteners 48 are made of steel with Phillips heads, although materials and drives are suitable and contemplated herein.
The outer clamp fasteners 49 are knobs with threaded studs of a sufficient length to reach from the indentation for the face of the outer clamp fastener 49 to the back face of the lower rectangular portion of the split clamp 46. In an example, the outer clamp fasteners 49 are three-arm heads made of plastic and studs made of steel, although other head shapes and materials are suitable and contemplated herein. The hex nuts 52 may be standard machined steel hex nuts, although other materials are suitable and contemplated herein.
As best shown in
The pull-up bar 54 may be embodied as a tubular section of steel pipe of sufficient length to extend at least 11.4 mm beyond the outer lateral face of each plunger mount 58. The pull-up bar 54 contains two holes extending vertically through its diameter to accommodate the grip collar assemblies 60. These holes are located approximately 0.63 mm to the outside of the outer faces of the plunger mounts 58.
Each grip collar assembly 60 includes a grip collar 61 and a grip collar fastener 62. The grip collar fastener 62 is inserted into a hole located through the diameter of the grip collar 60. In an example, each grip collar 60 is a tubular, plastic segment approximately 1.27 mm in width. The inner diameter of the grip collar 60 is of sufficient size to allow the insertion of the pull-up bar 54. In certain embodiments, the outer diameter is approximately 1.01 mm greater that the inner diameter. There is a hole through the diameter of the grip collar 60, centered along the width, for the insertion of the grip collar fastener 62. The top portion of this hole contains an indentation for the head of the grip collar fastener 62. The bottom portion of the hole is threaded to accept the grip collar fastener 62.
The grip collar fasteners 62 may be standard machine screws of a length approximately equal to the outer diameter of the grip collars 60. In certain embodiments, the grip collar fasteners 62 are made of steel with Phillips heads, although other materials and drives are suitable and contemplated herein. The washers 66 are circular, plastic discs with an inner diameter sufficient to allow the insertion of pivot bar 31 of the pivot assembly 30 and the pull-up bar 54 of the grip assembly 50 therethrough, and an outer diameter equal to that of the grip collars 60. In an example, the thickness of the washers 66 is approximately 0.05 mm.
Operation
The example embodiments contemplated herein have at least three primary arrangements for use, a doorway-mounted configuration, a first ground configuration, and a second ground configuration, with a wide variety of sub-positions within these three arrangements.
Doorway-mounted Arrangement—
When mounted in a doorframe 75, the horizontal bar 21 of the device 1 sits centered on top of the back sill of the doorframe 75 (i.e., on the top surface of horizontal 75 trim extending along a rear facing wall directly above the doorframe 75). The pad 22 presses against the wall above the back of the doorframe 75, providing a soft, non-marking contact surface. The support arms 26 extend down from the platform assembly 21 and through the doorframe 75 opening. The lower disc ends of the support arms 26, pivot assembly 30, and first ends of the pivot arms 44 are thus positioned to the front-facing side of the doorframe 75. The door stops 40 attached to distal ends of the telescoping bar portions 38 make contact with the forward facing doorframe 75 trim to the sides of the doorframe 75. Contact is made between the doorframe 75 trim and the doorstop pads 42 on the door stops 40, providing soft, non-marking contact surfaces.
Exercise device 1 employs gravity and opposing force to maintain it and its user secure within the doorframe 75. Gravity acting on the horizontal bar 21 resting on top of the doorframe 75 sill provides the initial force to hold the device 1 in place. The pad 22 pushes against the wall above the doorframe 75 and the door stops 40 attached to distal ends of the telescoping bar portions 38 push against the front facing doorframe 75 trim to create opposing forces against the doorframe 75 and its surrounding wall. Because the majority of the force generated by the device 1 and its user is transmitted laterally against the doorframe 75 and its surrounding wall, instead of vertically against the top of the back doorframe 75 sill, the device 1 is secure in its position and able to support a significant amount of weight.
Referring to
In operation to adjust the position of the pivot arms 44 in relation to the support arms 26, a user holds onto the grip assembly 50 with one hand and disengages the indexing plungers 36 with the other hand. Disengagement is accomplished by pulling the handle 39 of the indexing plunger 36 and rotating it 45 degrees into the locked-out position. The user then rotates the pivot arms 44 into the desired position and re-engages the indexing plungers 36. The pins 37 of the indexing plungers 36 then extend into one of the plurality of holes 45 in the pivot arms 44 due to the spring-loaded force exerted outward on the pin 37.
The indexing plungers 36 interact with the grip assembly 50 and the pivot arms 44 in a manner similar to the interaction of the indexing plungers 36 with the support arms 26 and pivot arms 44. When engaged, the pins 37 of the indexing plungers 36 extend through one of the plurality of smaller holes 45 in the disk-shaped second ends of the pivot arms 44 that are attached to the grip assembly 50. This locks the grip assembly 50 in position relative to the pivot arms 44. When the pins 37 of the indexing plungers 36 are disengaged, the grip assembly 50 is free to rotate into other positions. Accordingly the pull-up bar 54 of the grip assembly 50 is configured to be rotatable within the central apertures at the disc-shaped second ends of the pivot arms 44 so that the grip handles 56 thereon can be oriented and secured in a plurality of different angular positions relative to the pivot arms 44.
In operation, the position of the grip assembly 50 is adjusted through a process similar to that used to adjust the position of the pivot arms 44. To adjust the position of the grip assembly 50 relative to the pivot arms 44 (specifically the grip handles 56 on pull-up bar 54 relative to the pivot arms 44), a user holds onto the grip assembly 50 with one hand and disengages the indexing plungers 36 with the other hand. The user then rotates the grip assembly 50 into the desired position and re-engages the indexing plungers 36.
Further, and in an alternative, means other than the indexing plungers 36 may be used for the adjustment and securing of pivot arms 44 and grip assembly 50 positions. For example, a compression force is provided by threaded collars 32 and 61 that screw onto the pivot bar 31 and pull-up bar 54 from the outer ends of the bars. The threaded collars 32 and 61 effectively sandwich the pivot arms 44 between the support arms 26 or grip collars and the threaded collars. Another alternative is to employ quick-release pins in place of the indexing plungers 36 that are removed and re-inserted with each adjustment.
The pull-up bar 54 provides users the ability to perform pull-ups, chin-ups, and bodyweight rows with varying grip widths. The pull-up bar 54 also offers users the ability to perform hanging knee-raises and leg-raises, and hanging sit-ups. The grip handles 56 provide users the ability to perform dips, neutral-grip pull-ups, knee-raises and leg-raises.
Additionally, the grip handles 56 allow for the execution of a type of pull-up proprietary to the device 1. This pull-up is performed from the grip handles 56 when the grip assembly 50 is positioned so that the grip handles 56 are oriented in a downward direction, either completely vertical or angled. The downward direction of the grip handles 56 requires a greater effort to maintain the user's grip thereon than for standard pull-ups, thereby allowing for greater strengthening of the muscles involved in gripping. This type of pull-up is referred to as an “ice pick” pull-up, due to its similarity to the grip involved in the sport of ice climbing.
Still further, the various arm positions permit exercises to be performed at varying heights from the ground surface. This adjustability accommodates users of varying heights, as well as permits users to perform assisted versions of the pull-up and chin-up exercises by enabling them to maintain their feet on the ground throughout the movement. The doorway-mounted arrangement for device 1 may also act as an anchor for the numerous exercise straps, bands, and Olympic rings currently popular for resistance training and physical therapy.
Each telescoping bar portion 38 occupies any intermediary position between the narrow and the wide positions. In still further embodiments, the telescoping ability of the telescoping bar portions 38 allows the device 1 to be offset to either side within a doorframe 75 in case of a wall or other object preventing the device from being centered in the doorframe 75.
First Ground Configuration: Floor Arrangement—
There are at least five positions that the pivot arms 44 take in the floor arrangement through the use of the indexing plungers 36. These positions are shown in
In each of the five positions shown in
A second closed position is shown in
Second Ground Configuration: Rocking Arrangement—
Accordingly, with the exercise device 1 in the second ground configuration, only the curved portions at approximate midpoints of the support arms 26, which extend generally parallel to the ground surface (i.e., floor element 80), contact the ground surface between the horizontal bar 21 and pivot bar 31 so that exercise with an instability introduced is possible with the device 1. The pivot arms 44 are securable in an angular position relative to the support arms 26 so as to extend generally upward from their first ends and away from the ground surface. The second ends of the pivot arms 44 support the grip assembly 50 (e.g., pull-up bar 54 with grip handles 56) above the ground surface.
Still further, more advanced users may take advantage of the instability of the rocking arrangement to perform more challenging variations of push-ups and dips using the pull-up bar 54 and the grip handles 56. These exercises can be performed with a number of possible pivot arm 44 and grip assembly 50 positions in the rocking arrangement, so long as the user can maintain his or her balance throughout the movement.
Alternative Exercise Device Constructions—
A dimetric view of yet another example embodiment is shown in
A dimetric view of yet another example embodiment of the device 1 is shown in
As shown in
An isometric view of yet another example embodiment is shown in
An isometric view of an example embodiment mounted in a doorframe 75 is shown in
An isometric view of yet another exercise device 1′ is shown in
Kipping pull-ups have become popular in some segments of the fitness community, and this wall-mounted embodiment will allow for such dynamic movements. The pivot arms 44′″ of this embodiment are longer than those previously described, making the top position higher and the bottom position lower, and thus catering to a greater percentage of the population. This embodiment is an excellent replacement for the pull-up and dip towers found in most commercial gyms since it has a much smaller space requirement and better accommodates users of varying heights.
Standing work stations have increased in popularity in recent years. The height of the lower positions of example embodiments is ideal for the attachment of a work surface to the tops of the grip handles 56. Such a work surface can have numerous uses depending on the angle of the grip handles 56. Such uses include, but are not limited to, a desk, drawing board, projection screen, mount for a dart board, or shelf. Other embodiments of the device 1 may provide a mount for a work surface.
Referring to
Device 100 further includes a pair of tubular, metal (or hard-plastic) pivot arms 112 in parallel, spaced relation to one another. The pivot bar 114 is connected between the pivot arms 112 at first, disc-shaped ends thereof. As has been described heretofore in previous example embodiments, the pivot arms 112 are configured to be rotated about the pivot bar 114 at their first ends so as to be oriented and secured in a plurality of different angular positions relative to the support arms 110.
Device 100 further includes a pull-up bar 140 extending between second disc-shaped ends of the pivot arms 112. The pull-up bar includes and a pair of grip handles 142 in spaced, parallel relation to one another, each extending in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the pull-up bar 140. As has been described heretofore in previous example embodiments, the pull-up bar 140 with its contiguous grip handles 142 is configured to be rotated about the pivot arms 112 at their second ends, so as to be oriented and secured in a plurality of different angular positions relative to the pivot arms 112.
Referring to
Similar to previous example embodiments, device 100 includes a pair of telescoping bar portions 116, each of which may be embodied as a tubular section of pipe made of steel and of sufficient length and outer diameter so that a distal end thereof fits into a horizontal aperture or bore through a doorframe pad 118, and a proximal end thereof fits into the pivot bar 114 so as to meet its opposite telescoping bar portion 116 at the half-way point of the pivot bar 114.
As best shown in
The above operations are similar for orienting the grip handles 142 on pull-up bar 140 in a variety of different angular positions relative to the second, disc-shaped ends of the pivot arms 112. Here, lever arms 122 actuate slightly shorter cam action indexing plungers 134 so that pins 133 thereof extend into or retract out of one of the holes in corresponding fixed, pin plates 130 that are welded to pull-up bar 140, so as to either lock the pull-up bar 140 in a desired angular position or to disengage to permit the pull-up bar 140 to freely rotate (through central apertures in the pivot arm 112 second ends) about the pivot arms 112.
Each plunger 124/134 further includes a ramp 137 and a lockout feature 139. The ramp 137 aids in disengaging the pin 133 from the pin plate 120/130 to allow pivot arm 112/pull-up bar 140 angle adjustment. To disengage the pin 133, the user would rotate the lever arm 122 up 180 degrees until the lever arm 112 rests in a lockout mode within lockout feature 139. The user can then adjust the pivot arms 112/pull-up bar 140 to the angle they desire. To lock the pivot arms 112/pull-up bar 140 in place, the user would rotate the lever arms 122 downward to a resting position; the user should hear a click sound from the left and right side of device 100 to confirm the pins 133 are engaged into their respective holes in pin plates 120/130.
Referring to
According to the example embodiments, the exercise devices described herein permit, but are not limited to, the following potential benefits and advantages: performance of a wide variety of exercises, including but not limited to pull-ups, chin-ups, rows, dips, push-ups, leg-raises, knee-raises, sit-ups, and crunches; performance of proprietary exercises such as ice pick pull-ups, rocking push-ups, and rocking dips; performance of assisted versions of some of the above exercises; adjustment of the pivot arm 44/112 positions and thus the height above ground from which exercises can be performed; adjustment of the grip assembly 50/pull-up bar 140 position and thus the angle of the grip handles 56/142; mounting of the device 1/100 in a doorway, including doorways with sills taller than the standard 6.35 cm; adjustment of the telescoping bar portions 38/116 to accommodate doorways of varying widths; use of the exercise device 1/100 in a multiple ground configurations (stable or rocking floor arrangement); mounting of the device 1 on a wall; collapsing of the exercise device 1 into two compact closed positions for convenient transport and storage.
In a variant, numerous accessories (alternatively referred to as peripherals) may be provided for attachment to the exercise device, including, but not limited to: back pad attachable to the grip assembly 50/pull-up bar 140—a pad for the user to rest his/her back against while performing leg/knee raises; elbow pads attachable to the grip handles 56/142—pads for the user to rest his/her elbows and forearms against while performing leg/knee raises; exercise straps attachable to various components of the exercise device and used for performing various exercises; resistance bands attachable to the exercise device to complete exercises or assist in pull-ups and dips; climbing board supported by the grip assembly 50—a vertical board attaching climbing grips; grip accessories attachable to the grip assembly 50/handles 56/142—thicker grip attachments.
Example embodiments are constructed with the majority of the primary components and assemblies held together using removable screws, clamps, and collars. Such means of construction allows for ease of assembly and disassembly of the device. Therefore, the device may be shipped to the consumer disassembled, requiring smaller packaging, and thus incurring reduced shipping fees compared to a unit shipped assembled. In alternative constructions, certain components may be permanently affixed to one another.
Additionally, the example embodiments described herein may be used to perform additional exercises not noted above, including but not limited to: physical therapy; stretching; a mount for various exercise accessories including straps, bands, rings, and climbing accessories; a mount for a work surface; a mount for attaching game boards; a place to hang a wide variety of objects including bicycles, tools, punching bags, a swing, a chair, and the like.
The example embodiments being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as departure from the example embodiments, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the following claims.
The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/902,925 to Justin M. Gauvin, et al., filed Nov. 12, 2013, and of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/948,918 to Justin M. Gauvin, et al., filed Mar. 6, 2014. The entire contents of each application are hereby incorporated by reference herein.
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