This application relates generally to exercise equipment and, more particularly, to techniques for storing exercise equipment.
Exercise equipment typically includes a large apparatus designed for use in a variety of commercial and non-commercial settings. However, to ensure structural stability during use, traditional exercise equipment is often bulky and can be difficult to store.
Accordingly, there is a need for a more efficient, reliable, and less obtrusive exercise mounting system to reduce the footprint of such equipment during storage.
The application, in various implementations, addresses deficiencies associated with storing existing exercise equipment. The application includes an exemplary apparatus and methods that enable more efficient, reliable, and less obtrusive storage of exercise equipment while the equipment is not operating.
This application describes exemplary apparatuses and methods that provide a means for storing exercise equipment by way of a removable stand.
In one aspect, a mounting apparatus for exercise equipment is disclosed. The mounting apparatus may include a first elongate support member having a first end and a second end. The first elongate support member may include a connector positioned along a first portion of the first elongate support member and arranged to detachably connect to a portion of the exercise equipment.
The mounting apparatus may further include a second elongate support member having a first end and a second end. The first end of the second elongate support member may meet the first end of the first elongate support member at a first vertex. The second end of the first elongate support member may be spaced away from the second end of the second elongate support member to form the first vertex of a first angle between the first and second elongate support members.
The mounting apparatus may further include a third elongate support member having a first end and a second end. The first end of the third elongate support member may meet the first end of the first elongate support member at a second vertex. The second end of the first elongate support member may be spaced away from the second end of the third elongate support member to form the second vertex of a second angle between the first and third elongate support members. The second end of the second elongate support member may be spaced away from the second end of the third elongate support member to form a third vertex of a third angle between the second and third elongate support members.
In one implementation, when the exercise equipment is in an operational orientation along a surface and the mounting apparatus is connected to the exercise equipment, the second and third elongate support members are not in contact with the surface. In another implementation, when the exercise equipment is in a storage orientation along the surface and the mounting apparatus is connected to the exercise equipment, a portion of the second elongate support member and a portion of the third elongate support member are in contact with the surface. In another implementation, the second and third elongate support members may extend within a plane that is substantially parallel to the surface.
In one implementation, the mounting apparatus includes a fourth elongate support member including a first end and a second end. The first end of the fourth elongate support member may meet a second portion of the first elongate support member, and the second end of the fourth elongate support member may meet a portion of the second elongate support member. In another implementation, the first end of the fourth elongate support member meets the second end of the first elongate support member and the second end of the fourth elongate support member meets the second end of the second elongate support member. In another implementation, the first, second, and fourth elongate support members form a first triangular arrangement.
In one implementation, the mounting apparatus includes a fifth elongate support member including a first end and a second end. The first end of the fifth elongate support member may meet a second portion of the first elongate support member, and the second end of the fifth elongate support member may meet a portion of the third elongate support member. In another implementation, the first end of the fifth elongate support member meets the second end of the first elongate support member and the second end of the fifth elongate support member meets the second end of the third elongate support member. In another implementation, the first, third, and fifth elongate support members form a second triangular arrangement.
According to one implementation, the angle of at least one of the first angle and the second angle of the mounting apparatus is between 1 degree and 90 degrees.
According to another implementation, at least one of the first angle and the second angle is between 30 degrees and 90 degrees. According to one implementation, at least one of the first angle and the second angle is configured to enable the exercise equipment to rest on the mounting apparatus in the storage orientation. According to another implementation, a distance between the second end of the second elongate support member and the second end of the third elongate support member is wider than a width of the first elongate support member.
According to one implementation, mounting apparatus includes at least one wheel positioned at or proximate to at least one of the second end of the second elongate support member and second end of the third elongate support member to enable the mounting apparatus to move along the surface. According to another implementation, each of the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth elongate support members of mounting apparatus includes a beam. In some implementations, the beam includes one or more support ribs and/or grooves. In some implementations, the beam is formed of at least one of a metal, plastic, and a composite material.
According to one implementation, the connecter of mounting apparatus includes a hinged latch being configured to secure the exercise equipment to the mounting apparatus. In some implementations, the first elongate support member includes a hinged back panel having a first side and second side. The first side and second may be configured to rotate to a closed position when the first side and second side are aligned in substantially the same plane and to rotate to an open position when the first side and the second side are not aligned in the same plane. In some implementations, the first elongate support member defines a channel between the connector and hinged back panel when the hinged back panel is in a closed position and the connector is in a closed position.
According to another aspect, mounting apparatus includes a triangular support apparatus for securing exercise equipment. Triangle support apparatus may include a hypotenuse side, including a hinged latch and a grooved and/or ribbed interior. Thereby, the hinged latch and grooved and/or ribbed interior may be configured to secure an exercise equipment disposed upright. Triangle support apparatus may also include an opposite side including two grooved support beams oriented at a right angle. Triangle support apparatus may further include an adjacent side, including two grooved and/or ribbed horizontal support beams. The opposite side and the adjacent side may meet at a first and a second shared angle joining the two grooved and/or ribbed support beams oriented at a right angle and the two grooved and/or ribbed horizontal support beams respectively. The first and the second shared angle may include at least one wheel on each of the first and the second shared angle.
In another aspect, the disclosure includes a process for storing exercise equipment. This process includes connecting a mounting apparatus to a portion and frame component of the exercise equipment while the exercise equipment is in an operational orientation along a surface. According to some implementations, the mounting apparatus includes, i) a first elongate support member having a first end and second end and a connector therebetween that enables the connecting to the exercise equipment, ii) a second elongate support member having a first end meeting the first end of the first elongate support member, wherein the second elongate support member is not in contact with the surface, and iii) a third elongate support member having a first end meeting the first end of the first elongate support member. The process may further include changing the orientation of the exercise equipment from the operational orientation to a storage orientation. The second and third elongate support members may be adjacent to the surface when the exercise equipment is in the storage orientation.
According to one implementation, changing the orientation of the exercise equipment includes tilting the exercise equipment toward the surface until the portion of the second elongate support member contacts the surface. According to another implementation, connecting a mounting apparatus to a portion and frame component of the exercise equipment while the exercise equipment is in an operational orientation along a surface includes engaging the connector with the portion of a frame of the exercise equipment.
According to one implementation, the third elongate support member includes a first end and second end. The first end may be connected to the second end of the first elongate support member and the second end may be connected to a second end of the second elongate support member. According to another implementation, at least one of the first, second, and third elongate support members includes at least two beams and arranged to be engaged together when the mounting apparatus is connected to the exercise equipment and arranged to be spaced apart when the mounting apparatus is not connected to the exercise equipment.
In a further aspect, a triangular support apparatus for securing exercise equipment includes a first hypotenuse side arranged to extend adjacent to a surface when the exercise equipment is in a storage position. The apparatus includes a first leg side having a hinged latch arranged to couple the triangular support apparatus to a portion of a frame of the exercise equipment. The apparatus also includes a second leg side having at least one wheel positioned proximate to an end adjacent to the first hypotenuse side. The first hypotenuse side, the first leg side, and the second leg side form a first triangle. The apparatus further includes a second hypotenuse side arranged to extend adjacent to the surface when the exercise equipment is in the storage position. The apparatus also includes a third leg having at least one wheel positioned proximate to an end adjacent to the second hypotenuse side. The second hypotenuse side, the first leg side, and the third leg side form a second triangle
Any two or more of the features described in this specification, including in this summary section, may be combined to form implementations not specifically described in this specification.
The details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the following description. Other features and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
Like reference numerals in different figures indicate like elements.
The application, in various implementations, addresses deficiencies associated with storing existing exercise equipment. The application includes exemplary apparatuses and methods that enable more efficient, reliable, and less obtrusive storage of exercise equipment while the equipment is not operating. The removable stand can attach to the frame of the exercise equipment, such as a rower, so that it can be safely stored upright, and thereby, take up less space during storage while remaining secured in place. To operate, it is envisioned that a user can clamp the stand around the frame of the rower, and then secure it via a latch. The user can then lift the rower by its tail and pivot the rower forward to wheel the rower into the desired storing position. Then, the user can tip the rower upright as the stand secures it against a floor surface.
Mounting apparatus 104 may include a fourth elongate support member 120 including a first end 152 and a second end 154 According to one implementation, the first end 152 of the fourth elongate support member 120 meets a second portion of the first elongate support member 118, and the second end 154 of the fourth elongate support member 120 meets a portion of the second elongate support member 122. The first end 152 of the fourth elongate support member 120 may meet the second end 128 of the first elongate support member 118 and the second end 154 of the fourth elongate support member 120 may meet the second end 134 of the second elongate support member 122. According to another implementation, the first, second, and fourth elongate support members 118, 122, and 120, respectively, of mounting apparatus 104 form a first triangle or triangular arrangement 302.
Mounting apparatus 104 may include a fifth elongate support member 121 including a first end 156 and a second end 158. According to one implementation, the first end 156 of the fifth elongate support member 121 meets a second portion of the first elongate support member 118, and the second end 158 of the fifth elongate support member 121 meets a portion of the third elongate support member 123. The first end 156 of the fifth elongate support member 121 may meet and/or converge with the second end 128 of the first elongate support member 118 and the second end 158 of the fifth elongate support member 121 may meet the second end 150 of the third elongate support member 123. The first, third, and fifth elongate support members 118, 123, and 121, respectively, of mounting apparatus 104 may form a second triangle or second triangular arrangement 304.
The angle of vertex 138 and/or 139 of mounting apparatus 104 may be between 1 degree and 90 degrees. In some implementations, the angle of vertex 138 and/or 139 is between 30 degrees and 90 degrees. According to one implementation, at least one of angle of vertex 138 and vertex 139 is configured to enable the exercise equipment 102 to rest on the mounting apparatus 104 in the storage orientation. According to another implementation, a distance between the second end 134 of the second elongate support member 122 and the second end 150 of the third elongate support member 123 is wider than a width of the first elongate support member 118. In some implementations, the second elongate support member 122 and third elongate support member 123 form a V-shaped arrangement along the surface 146.
Mounting apparatus 104 may further include a wheel 402 positioned at or proximate to the second end 134 of the second elongate support member 122 and a wheel 404 positioned at or proximate to the second end 150 of the third elongate support member 123 to enable the mounting apparatus 104 to move along the surface 146. According to one implementation, each of the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth elongate support members 118, 122, 123, 120, and 121, respectively, of mounting apparatus 104 includes a beam. In some implementations, the beam includes multiple support ribs 506 and grooves or spaces 508 between some or all of the support ribs. In some implementations, the beam is formed of a metal, plastic, and/or a composite material.
In some implementations, mounting apparatus 104 includes a triangular support apparatus for securing exercise equipment 102. Mounting apparatus 104 includes a first hypotenuse side, e.g., elongate support member 122, arranged to extend adjacent to a surface such as surface 146 when exercise equipment 102 is in a storage position and/or orientation. The apparatus 104 may include a first leg side, e.g., elongate support member 118, having a hinged latch 104 arranged to couple the triangular support apparatus to a portion 106 of a frame of exercise equipment 102. The apparatus 104 may also include a second leg side, e.g., elongate support member 120, having at least one wheel, e.g., wheel 402, positioned proximate to an end adjacent to the first hypotenuse side, e.g., elongate support member 122. The first hypotenuse side, the first leg side, and the second leg side may form a first triangle 302. The apparatus 104 further includes a second hypotenuse side, e.g., elongate support member 123, arranged to extend adjacent to the surface 146 when exercise equipment 102 is in the storage position or orientation. The apparatus 104 may also include a third leg, e.g., elongate support member 121, having at least one wheel 404 positioned proximate to an end adjacent to the second hypotenuse side, e.g., elongate support member 123. The second hypotenuse side, the first leg side, and the third leg side may form a second triangle 304.
According to another aspect, mounting apparatus 104 includes a triangular support apparatus for securing exercise equipment. The triangular support apparatus may include a hypotenuse side, including a hinged latch and a grooved interior. Thereby, the hinged latch and grooved interior may be configured to secure an exercise equipment disposed upright. Triangle support apparatus may also include an opposite side including two grooved support beams oriented at a right angle. The triangular support apparatus may further include an adjacent side, including two grooved horizontal support beams. The opposite side and the adjacent side may meet at a first and a second shared angle joining the two grooved support beams oriented at a right angle and the two grooved horizontal support beams respectively. The first and the second shared angle may include at least one wheel on each of the first and the second shared angle.
According to some implementations, the mounting apparatus 104 includes, i) a first elongate support member 118 having a first end 126 and second end 128 and a connector 124 therebetween that enables the connecting to the exercise equipment 102, ii) a second elongate support member 122 having a first end 132 meeting the first end 126 of the first elongate support member 118, wherein the second elongate support member 122 is not in contact with the surface 146, and iii) a third elongate support member 123 having a first end 148 meeting the first end 126 of the first elongate support member 118. The process 1000 may further include changing the orientation of the exercise equipment 102 from the operational orientation to a storage orientation, wherein the second and third elongate support members 122 and 123, respectively, extend within a plane that is substantially parallel to the surface 146 (Step 1002).
According to one implementation, changing the orientation of the exercise equipment 102 includes tilting the exercise equipment 102 toward the surface 146 until the portion of the second elongate support member 122 and third elongate support member 123 contacts the surface 146. According to another implementation, connecting a mounting apparatus 104 to a portion and frame component 106 of the exercise equipment 102 while the exercise equipment 102 is in an operational orientation along a surface 146 includes engaging the connector 124 with the portion of a frame 106 of the exercise equipment 102. According to some implementations, the user can then choose to move exercise equipment 102 by way of, for example, at least one wheel 402 or 404 on mounting apparatus 104, or instead, leave exercise 102 and mounting apparatus 104 at the original location where the connector 124 and/or hinged latch 140 was engaged. According to some implementations, exercise equipment 102 can further be secured to a wall by way of one or more straps.
According to one implementation, a fourth elongate support member 120 includes a first end 152 and second end 154. The first end 152 may be connected to the second end 128 of the first elongate support member 118 and the second end 154 may be connected to a second end 134 of the second elongate support member 122.
According to another implementation, at least one of the first, second, and third elongate support members 118, 122, and 123, respectively, includes at least two beams arranged to be engaged together when the mounting apparatus 104 is connected to the exercise equipment 102 and arranged to be spaced apart when the mounting apparatus 104 is not connected to the exercise equipment 102.
Elements or steps of different implementations described may be combined to form other implementations not specifically set forth previously. Elements or steps may be left out of the systems or processes described previously without adversely affecting their operation or the operation of the system in general. Furthermore, various separate elements or steps may be combined into one or more individual elements or steps to perform the functions described in this specification.
Other implementations not specifically described in this specification are also within the scope of the following claims.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/743,077, filed on May 12, 2022, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 17743077 | May 2022 | US |
Child | 18678304 | US |