The present invention generally relates to fitness equipment. Specifically, the embodiments of the present invention are directed to an exercise machine with a detachable stabilizing support. The stabilizing support may be attached by engaging a flip and dip handle system that allows the dip handle assemblies to be rotated between an exercise position and a storage position. Further, the stabilizing support is pivotably adjustable to engage a user's body at various heights.
An exercise machine may include multiple stations for performing different exercise routines in different positions. For example, an exercise machine may include a stabilizing support for supporting a user while performing an exercise routine in a standing position. Another station may allow the user to perform the same or similar exercise without the stabilizing support.
A functional trainer is a class of exercise machine that has become popular in recent years because of their versatility. Specifically, functional trainers include adjustable components that allow the user to perform a wide variety of exercises in a wide variety of positions. Thanks to their ability to transform themselves into different configurations, they can mimic most of the traditional multi-station machines and free weights with just a few adjustments. There are many types of functional trainers on the market today, and they use several different methods for adjusting their components. Most of them use adjustable arms, rotating columns, and/or sliding carriages with pulleys or multiple pulleys mounted at different locations on the machine. Some of them can be used with a stabilizing support. The number of exercises that can be performed on particular machine depends on how many different configurations it can be transformed into. More configurations provide more exercise options for the user. There is a large demand for functional trainers—both in commercial and home gyms—because they can be adapted for use in a wide variety of exercises while taking up relatively little space when compared to traditional exercise machines and free weights.
Accordingly, a need exists for a versatile exercise machine, such as a functional trainer, that includes a stabilizing support that the user may optionally attach to the exercise machine for use in the performance of an exercise. Further, a need exists for the optionally attachable stabilizing support to be adjustable so that it is capable of engaging a user's body at various heights. A further need exists for a stabilizing support system that can be placed into a compact configuration for easy storage. This stabilizing support system can be optionally stored on the exercise machine, without interfering with the use of the exercise machine. The embodiments of the present invention solve these problems by providing an exercise machine that includes a removable stabilizing support assembly that the user may optionally attach to (or detach from) the exercise machine. The stabilizing support is pivotably adjustable to engage a user's body at various heights. And the stabilizing support can be folded into a compact arrangement for easy storage when not in use. Other advantages of the present invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art.
An embodiment of the present invention is directed to a detachable stabilizing support system, the detachable stabilizing support system including a crossmember having an engagement channel attached to each end thereof, at least one pivot bracket mounted on the crossmember; a stabilizing support strut pivotally mounted to the crossmember; and a support pad mounted on an end of the stabilizing support strut.
Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to an exercise machine, the exercise machine including a dip handle system, wherein the dip handle system includes a first and second dip handle for performing dip exercises; the exercise machine further comprising a detachable stabilizing support system mounted on the dip handle system, wherein the detachable stabilizing support system includes a crossmember having first and second ends; a first engagement channel associated with the first end of the crossmember; a second engagement channel associated with the second end of the crossmember; at least one pivot bracket mounted on the crossmember; a stabilizing support strut pivotally mounted to the crossmember; and a support pad mounted on an end of the stabilizing support strut, and wherein the first engagement channel of the detachable stabilizing support system is engaged on the first dip handle and the second engagement channel of the detachable stabilizing support system is engaged on the second dip handle.
Preferred features of the embodiments of the present invention are disclosed in the accompanying drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, and wherein:
The embodiments of the present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the illustrated embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these illustrated embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.
In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the figures. It is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used in the following description are used for the purpose of description and enablement, and should not be regarded as limiting. Additionally, in the following description, it is understood that terms such as “top,” “bottom,” “side,” “front,” “back,” “inner,” “outer,” and the like, are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms.
A detachable stabilizing support system having adjustable positions is described herein. The embodiments of the present invention are designed to provide a stabilizing support system that is detachably mounted on an exercise machine. The stabilizing support system can be adjusted into a variety of configurations to engage a user's body at various heights, or to provide either horizontal or vertical support.
An embodiment of the present invention includes a detachable stabilizing support system 1000 as depicted in
As best shown in
The stabilizing support system 1000 of the depicted embodiment includes a pair of grip end stops 1009, 1012. The grip end stops 1009, 1012 engage the ends of the right and left dip handles 427, 327 of exercise machine 100, in order to transmit horizontal forces from the stabilizing support system 1000 to the exercise machine 100. That is, when a user employs the stabilizing support system 1000 to provide horizontal stabilizing support, the grip end stops 1009, 1012 prevent the stabilizing support system 1000 from sliding rearwardly along the right and left dip handles 427, 327 of the exercise machine 100. The grip end stops 1009, 1012 as depicted in
Near the right end of the crossmember 1001, adjacent to the right-hand engagement channel 1003, a right-hand grip end stop 1009 is attached to the crossmember 1001. The right-hand grip end stop 1009 includes a first member 1010 extending forwardly from the crossmember 1001 and a second member 1011 extending in a direction toward the right-hand engagement channel 1003, or longitudinal axis 1005. The second member 1011 of the right-hand grip end stop 1009 may extend substantially in parallel with the crossmember 1001 and its central longitudinal axis 1002. Furthermore, the second member 1011 of the right-hand grip end stop 1009 preferably intersects and/or passes through the longitudinal axis 1005 of the right-hand engagement channel 1003.
Similarly, near the left end of the crossmember 1001, adjacent to the left-hand engagement channel 1006, a left-hand grip end stop 1012 is attached to the crossmember 1001. The left-hand grip end stop 1012 includes a first member 1013 extending forwardly from the crossmember 1001 and a second member 1014 extending in a direction toward the left-hand engagement channel 1006, or longitudinal axis 1008. The second member 1014 of the left-hand grip end stop 1012 may extend substantially in parallel with the crossmember 1001 and its central longitudinal axis 1002. Furthermore, the second member 1014 of the left-hand grip end stop 1012 preferably intersects and/or passes through the longitudinal axis 1008 of the left-hand engagement channel 1006.
One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that a variety of configurations for right and left grip end stops 1009, 1012 are available to accomplish the same means without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. As just one example, the right and left grip end stops 1009, 1012 could each be made from just a single member that is configured to engage the ends of the right and left dip handles 427, 327 of exercise machine 100. As another example, the right and left grip end stops 1009, 1012 might optionally be attached to the respective right and left engagement channels 1003, 1006, rather than coupled to the crossmember 1001. In such a configuration, the right and left grip end stops 1009, 1012 could be end caps or surfaces that simply close the forward, open ends of the right and left engagement channels 1003, 1006.
Toward the center of the crossmember 1001, located between the right and left engagement channels 1003, 1006, a pivot bracket 1015 is coupled to the crossmember 1001. The pivot bracket 1015 includes a pivot hole 1016. Adjacent to the pivot bracket 1015, and also located between the right and left engagement channels 1003, 1006, a pivot and adjustment bracket 1017 is coupled to the crossmember 1001. The pivot and adjustment bracket 1017 includes a pivot hole 1018. The pivot holes 1016, 1018 preferably create a common pivot axis 1019.
Pivot and adjustment bracket 1017 also includes one or more adjustment plate mounting holes 1020. An adjustment plate 1021 includes an equal number of mounting holes 1022 and a plurality of locking pin holes 1023. The adjustment plate 1021 is mounted to the pivot and adjustment bracket 1017. Specifically, fasteners pass through the adjustment plate mounting holes 1020 in the pivot and adjustment bracket 1017 and the mounting holes 1022 in the adjustment plate 1021, in order to couple the adjustment plate 1021 to the pivot and adjustment bracket 1017. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand and appreciate that, the adjustment plate 1021 and pivot and adjustment bracket 1017 could be coupled together using other means, including by welding or adhering using glue. As yet another alternative, the adjustment plate 1021 and the pivot and adjustment bracket 1017 could be formed into a single bracket. That is, an alternative pivot and adjustment bracket 1017 could readily incorporate the locking pin holes 1023, such that a single bracket provides all of the features of both the pivot and adjustment bracket 1017 and the adjustment plate 1021.
The stabilizing support system 1000 of
The stabilizing strut 1024 further includes a pull pin 1034 that can selectively engage into one of the locking pin holes 1023 in the adjustment plate 1021. Thus, the rotational orientation of the stabilizing strut 1024 about pivot axis 1019 can be selected by rotating the stabilizing strut 1024 into the desired position, and then locking the pull pin 1034 into a corresponding locking pin hole 1023. The pull pin 1034 may optionally be spring-loaded, so that it is biased toward the locking pin holes 1023.
The rearward end 1028 of the stabilizing strut 1024 includes a vertical support plate 1029. A protective rubber foot 1030 may be installed over the vertical support plate 1029. A forward end 1031 of the stabilizing strut 1024 includes a pad-mounting plate 1032. A support pad 1033 is mounted to the pad-mounting plate 1032.
The stabilizing support system 1000 depicted in
As best shown in
The exercise machine 100, as depicted in
The exercise machine 100 further includes a source of resistance, which in the case of the embodiment depicted in
An exerciser may perform an exercise by pulling or pushing one or both pull ends 111 away from the respective pulley carriage 110. Because the vertical columns 107 are rotatable, and the pulley carriage 110 is vertically adjustable, the path of exercise motion and direction of exercise resistance is highly adjustable. When the exerciser performs an exercise by pulling or pushing a pull end 111 away from its respective pulley carriage 110, the cable travels through the cable and pulley system and lifts the amount of weight selected within the selectorized weight stack 112.
As best illustrated in
Referring still to
The bearing housing 322 is rotatably mounted on the pivot shaft 310 for rotation about pivot axis 330. The pivot shaft 310 is inserted through an inner bearing 311, a bearing bore 351 in the bearing housing 322, and an outer bearing 312. Thus, the bearing housing 322 rides on the inner and outer bearings 311, 312. The inner and outer bearings 311, 312 are preferably made from a low-friction material that will not increase the rotating friction between the bearing housing 322 and the pivot shaft 310, allowing the bearing housing 322 to freely rotate about pivot axis 330. The inner and outer bearings 311, 312 are also preferably made from a material that is softer than that of the pivot shaft 310 and the bearing housing 322, such that any wear resulting from rotation of the bearing housing 322 occurs on the inner and outer bearings 311, 312, which are easier and less expensive to replace as wear or maintenance items. As non-limiting examples, the inner and outer bearings 311, 312 may be made from aluminum, brass or bronze, thermoplastics such as nylon, or they may include a Teflon coating.
According to the embodiment of
As further illustrated in
A pull-pin barrel 323 is connected to stop plate 320 and the bearing housing 322. The pull-pin barrel 323 includes a pull-pin bore 352 with a female-threaded opening 353. A spring-loaded pull pin 360 is assembled into the pull-pin bore 352 of the pull-pin barrel 323. The spring-loaded pull pin 360 includes a pull-pin plunger 316 that has a first end 354 for selectively engaging the respective exercise position lock hole 309 or the storage position lock hole 308, to lock the left dip handle assembly 300 into either the exercise position or storage position, as described in more detail below. The pull-pin plunger 316 also includes a first intermediate section 355, which provides a clearance fit with the pull-pin bore 352 of the pull-pin barrel 323 and allows the spring-loaded pull pin 360 to slide along axis 333 within the pull-pin bore 352. The pull-pin plunger 316 further includes a second intermediate section 356, smaller in diameter than the first intermediate section 355, on which a spring 317 is mounted. And the pull-pin plunger 316 includes a threaded end 357 with male threads.
As illustrated in
As mentioned above, the spring 317 is mounted on the second intermediate section 356 of the pull-pin plunger 316. After the barrel cap 318 is screwed into the female-threaded opening 353, the spring 317 is compressed between the larger diameter first intermediate section 355 and the barrel cap 318. Because the barrel cap 318 is fixed to the pull-pin barrel 323, while the pull-pin plunger 316 is slidable along axis 333, the spring 317 biases the pull-pin plunger 316 toward the arm mount hub 305. Accordingly, the spring 317 biases the first end 354 of the pull-pin plunger 316 into the exercise position lock hole 309 when the left dip handle assembly 300 is in the exercise position, or into the storage position lock hole 308 when the left dip handle assembly 300 is in the storage position.
As further shown in
The grip portion 372 of the adjustable dip handle 327 has a second longitudinal axis 332 that is not coincident with longitudinal axis 331. Thus, the adjustable handle 327 can be rotated at least approximately 180° about longitudinal axis 331, in which case the grip portion 372 rotates in an arcuate path about longitudinal axis 331 between the wide and narrow grip positions. The adjustable dip handle 327 is similar to the dip bar handles 60 described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012-0329626 A1, which is herein incorporated by reference.
As best illustrated in
Referring still to
The arm mount hub 405, according to the depicted embodiment, is a round housing that includes an exercise position stop lug 406 and a storage position stop lug 407. The arm mount hub 405 further includes an exercise position lock hole 409 and a storage position lock hole 408. A pivot shaft 410 extends from the center of the arm mount hub 405. The pivot shaft 410 of the depicted embodiment is 1 inch in diameter and includes a threaded end 450 for retaining a bearing housing 422 on the pivot shaft 410. The threaded end 450 includes ½-13 UNC male threads. However, as discussed above with respect to the left dip handle assembly's 300 bearing housing 322, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the bearing housing 422 may be retained on the pivot shaft 410 through other means known in the art.
The bearing housing 422 is rotatably mounted on the pivot shaft 410 for rotation about pivot axis 430. The pivot shaft 410 is inserted through an inner bearing 411, a bearing bore 451 in the bearing housing 422, and an outer bearing 412. Thus, the bearing housing 422 rides on the inner and outer bearings 411, 412. The inner and outer bearings 411, 412 (like inner and outer bearings 311, 312) are preferably made from a low-friction material that will not increase the rotating friction between the bearing housing 422 and the pivot shaft 410, allowing the bearing housing 422 to freely rotate about pivot axis 430. The inner and outer bearings 411, 412 are also preferably made from a material that is softer than that of the pivot shaft 410 and the bearing housing 422, such that any wear resulting from rotation of the bearing housing 422 occurs on the inner and outer bearings 411, 412, which are easier and less expensive to replace as wear or maintenance items. As non-limiting examples, the inner and outer bearings 411, 412 may be made from aluminum, brass or bronze, thermoplastics such as nylon, or they may include a Teflon coating.
According to the embodiment of
As further illustrated in
A pull-pin barrel 423 is connected to stop plate 420 and the bearing housing 422. The pull-pin barrel 423 includes a pull-pin bore 452 with a female-threaded opening 453. A spring-loaded pull pin 460 is assembled into the pull-pin bore 452 of the pull-pin barrel 423. The spring-loaded pull pin 460 includes a pull-pin plunger 416 that has a first end 454 for selectively engaging the respective exercise position lock hole 409 or the storage position lock hole 408, to lock the right dip handle assembly 400 into either the exercise position or storage position, as described in more detail below. The pull-pin plunger 416 also includes a first intermediate section 455, which provides a clearance fit with the pull-pin bore 452 of the pull-pin barrel 423 and allows the spring-loaded pull pin 460 to slide along axis 433 within the pull-pin bore 452. The pull-pin plunger 416 further includes a second intermediate section 456, smaller in diameter than the first intermediate section 455, on which a spring 417 is mounted. And the pull-pin plunger 416 includes a threaded end 457 with male threads.
As illustrated in
As mentioned above, the spring 417 is mounted on the second intermediate section 456 of the pull-pin plunger 416. After the barrel cap 418 is screwed into the female-threaded opening 453, the spring 417 is compressed between the larger diameter first intermediate section 455 and the barrel cap 418. Because the barrel cap 418 is fixed to the pull-pin barrel 423, while the pull-pin plunger 416 is slidable along axis 433, the spring 417 biases the pull-pin plunger 416 toward the arm mount hub 405. Accordingly, the spring 417 biases the first end 454 of the pull-pin plunger 416 into the exercise position lock hole 409 when the right dip handle assembly 400 is in the exercise position, or into the storage position lock hole 408 when the right dip handle assembly 400 is in the storage position.
As further shown in
The grip portion 472 of the adjustable dip handle 427 has a second longitudinal axis 432 that is not coincident with longitudinal axis 431. Thus, the adjustable handle 427 can be rotated at least approximately 180° about longitudinal axis 431, in which case the grip portion 472 rotates in an arcuate path about longitudinal axis 431 between the wide and narrow grip positions. The adjustable dip handle 427 is similar to the dip bar handles 60 described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012-0329626 A1, which is herein incorporated by reference.
The operation and use of the right dip handle assembly 400 will now be described with reference to
Similarly, as the bearing housing 422 rotates about pivot axis 430 toward the exercise position, the pull-pin barrel 423 and spring-loaded pull pin 460 rotate about pivot axis 430 with respect to the arm mount hub 405. Thus, the spring-loaded pull pin 460 rotates about pivot axis 430 until the first end 454 of the pull-pin plunger 416 aligns with the exercise position lock hole 409. As discussed above, the spring 417 biases the pull-pin plunger 416 toward the arm mount hub 405, which means that the pull-pin plunger 416 is biased into the exercise position lock hole 409 when the right dip handle assembly 400 is in the exercise position.
The right dip handle assembly 400 thus utilizes two methods of locating and positioning the right dip handle assembly 400 in the exercise position. First, the stop feature 421 contacts the exercise position stop lug 406 to locate and position the right dip handle assembly 400 in the exercise position. And second, the pull-pin plunger 416 is biased into the exercise position lock hole 409 to further locate and position the right dip handle assembly 400 in the exercise position, and to more affirmatively lock the right dip handle assembly 400 in the exercise position.
In contrast with
Similarly, as the bearing housing 422 rotates about pivot axis 430 toward the storage position, the pull-pin barrel 423 and spring-loaded pull pin 460 rotate about pivot axis 430 with respect to the arm mount hub 405. Thus, the spring-loaded pull pin 460 rotates about pivot axis 430 until the first end 454 of the pull-pin plunger 416 aligns with the storage position lock hole 408. As discussed above, the spring 417 biases the pull-pin plunger 416 toward the arm mount hub 405, which means that the pull-pin plunger 416 is biased into the storage position lock hole 408 when the right dip handle assembly 400 is in the storage position.
The right dip handle assembly 400 thus utilizes two methods of locating and positioning the right dip handle assembly 400 in the storage position. The stop feature 421 contacts the storage position stop lug 407 to locate and position the right dip handle assembly 400 in the storage position. And the pull-pin plunger 416 is biased into the storage position lock hole 408 to further locate and position the right dip handle assembly 400 in the storage position, and to more affirmatively lock the right dip handle assembly 400 in the storage position.
Next, as best shown by
An alternative embodiment of the present invention includes a detachable stabilizing support system 2000 as depicted in
The stabilizing support system 2000 of the depicted embodiment includes a pair of grip end stops 2009, 2012. The grip end stops 2009, 2012 engage the ends of the right and left dip handles 427, 327 of exercise machine 100, in order to transmit horizontal forces from the stabilizing support system 2000 to the exercise machine 100. That is, when a user employs the stabilizing support system 2000 to provide horizontal stabilizing support, the grip end stops 2009, 2012 prevent the stabilizing support system 2000 from sliding rearwardly along the right and left dip handles 427, 327 of the exercise machine 100. The grip end stops 2009, 2012 as depicted in
Near the right end of the crossmember 2001, adjacent to the right-hand engagement channel 2003, a right-hand grip end stop 2009 is attached to the crossmember 2001. The right-hand grip end stop 2009 includes a first member 2010 extending forwardly from the crossmember 2001 and a second member 2011 extending in a direction toward the right-hand engagement channel 2003, or longitudinal axis 2005. The second member 2011 of the right-hand grip end stop 2009 may extend substantially in parallel with the crossmember 2001 and its central longitudinal axis 2002. Furthermore, the second member 2011 of the right-hand grip end stop 2009 preferably intersects and/or passes through the longitudinal axis 2005 of the right-hand engagement channel 2003.
Similarly, near the left end of the crossmember 2001, adjacent to the left-hand engagement channel 2006, a left-hand grip end stop 2012 is attached to the crossmember 2001. The left-hand grip end stop 2012 includes a first member 2013 extending forwardly from the crossmember 2001 and a second member 2014 extending in a direction toward the left-hand engagement channel 2006, or longitudinal axis 2008. The second member 2014 of the left-hand grip end stop 2012 may extend substantially in parallel with the crossmember 2001 and its central longitudinal axis 2002. Furthermore, the second member 2014 of the left-hand grip end stop 2012 preferably intersects and/or passes through the longitudinal axis 2008 of the left-hand engagement channel 2006.
One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that a variety of configurations for right and left grip end stops 2009, 2012 are available to accomplish the same means without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. As just one example, the right and left grip end stops 2009, 2012 could each be made from just a single member that is configured to engage the ends of the right and left dip handles 427, 327 of exercise machine 100. As another example, the right and left grip end stops 2009, 2012 might optionally be attached to the respective right and left engagement channels 2003, 2006, rather than coupled to the crossmember 2001. In such a configuration, the right and left grip end stops 2009, 2012 could be end caps or surfaces that simply close the forward, open ends of the right and left engagement channels 2003, 2006.
The stabilizing support system 2000 of
The stabilizing strut tube 2016 includes an open, forward end 2022 that slidingly receives a support post 2019, which is attached to a support pad 2021. The stabilizing strut tube 2016 further includes a pull pin 2018 that can selectively engage into one of several locking pin holes 2020 in the support post 2020. Thus, the location of the support pad 2021 along axis 2017 can be adjusted by sliding the support post 2019 within the stabilizing strut tube 2016 into the desired position, and then locking the pull pin 2018 into a corresponding locking pin hole 2020. The pull pin 2018 may optionally be spring-loaded, so that it is biased toward the locking pin holes 2020.
The stabilizing support system 2000 can be used in connection with an exercise machine 100, an embodiment of which is shown and described above with reference to
Another embodiment of the present invention includes a detachable stabilizing support system 3000 as depicted in
As best shown by
The stabilizing support system 3000 of the depicted embodiment includes a pair of grip end stops 3009, 3012. The grip end stops 3009, 3012 engage the ends of the right and left dip handles 427, 327 of exercise machine 100, in order to transmit horizontal forces from the stabilizing support system 3000 to the exercise machine 100. That is, when a user employs the stabilizing support system 3000 to provide horizontal stabilizing support, the grip end stops 3009, 3012 prevent the stabilizing support system 3000 from sliding rearwardly along the right and left dip handles 427, 327 of the exercise machine 100. The grip end stops 3009, 3012 as depicted in
Near the right end of the crossmember 3001, adjacent to the right-hand engagement channel 3003, a right-hand grip end stop 3009 is attached to the crossmember 3001. The right-hand grip end stop 3009 includes a first member 3010 extending forwardly from the crossmember 3001 and a second member 3011 extending in a direction toward the right-hand engagement channel 3003, or longitudinal axis 3005. The second member 3011 of the right-hand grip end stop 3009 may extend substantially in parallel with the crossmember 3001 and its central longitudinal axis 3002. Furthermore, the second member 3011 of the right-hand grip end stop 3009 preferably intersects and/or passes through the longitudinal axis 3005 of the right-hand engagement channel 3003.
Similarly, near the left end of the crossmember 3001, adjacent to the left-h engagement channel 3006, a left-hand grip end stop 3012 is attached to the crossmember 3001. The left-hand grip end stop 3012 includes a first member 3013 extending forwardly from the crossmember 3001 and a second member 3014 extending in a direction toward the left-hand engagement channel 3006, or longitudinal axis 3008. The second member 3014 of the left-hand grip end stop 3012 may extend substantially in parallel with the crossmember 3001 and its central longitudinal axis 3002. Furthermore, the second member 3014 of the left-hand grip end stop 3012 preferably intersects and/or passes through the longitudinal axis 3008 of the left-hand engagement channel 3006.
One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that a variety of configurations for right and left grip end stops 3009, 3012 are available to accomplish the same means without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. As just one example, the right and left grip end stops 3009, 3012 could each be made from just a single member that is configured to engage the ends of the right and left dip handles 427, 327 of exercise machine 100. As another example, the right and left grip end stops 3009, 3012 might optionally be attached to the respective right and left engagement channels 3003, 3006, rather than coupled to the crossmember 3001. In such a configuration, the right and left grip end stops 3009, 3012 could be end caps or surfaces that simply close the forward, open ends of the right and left engagement channels 3003, 3006.
Toward the center of the crossmember 3001, located between the right and left engagement channels 3003, 3006, a pivot sleeve 3016 is coupled to the crossmember 3001. The pivot sleeve 3016 provides a pivot axis 3017, which may be substantially vertical and substantially perpendicular to central longitudinal axis 3002. Adjacent to the pivot sleeve 3016, and also located between the right and left engagement channels 3003, 3006, a locking pin standoff feature 3018 is coupled to the crossmember 3001. According to the depicted embodiment, the locking pin standoff feature 3018 is a tubular member extending downward from the crossmember 3001. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that a variety of members or brackets might comprise the locking pin standoff feature 3018. A storage locking pin 3019 is provided on the locking pin standoff feature 3018.
A pivot bracket 3020 is pivotally connected to the crossmember 3001 for rotation about pivot axis 3017. The pivot bracket 3020 includes a pivot sleeve 3021. A pivot pin 3022 passes through the pivot sleeve 3016 of the crossmember 3001 and the pivot sleeve 3021 of the pivot bracket 3020, to provide a rotatable connection between the pivot bracket 3020 and the crossmember 3001 about pivot axis 3017.
As best shown by
One of ordinary skill in the art will understand and appreciate that, the adjustment plate 3027 and pivot bracket 3020 could be coupled together using other means, including by welding or adhering using glue. As yet another alternative, the adjustment plate 3027 and the pivot bracket 3020 could be formed as a single bracket. That is, an alternative pivot bracket 3020 could readily incorporate all of the functional features of the adjustment plate 3027.
The stabilizing support system 3000 of
Referring to
The stabilizing strut 3032 further includes a pull pin 3037 that can selectively engage into one of the locking pin holes 3030 in the adjustment plate 3027. Thus, similar to the stabilizing support system 1000 of
The stabilizing support system 3000 depicted in
Additionally, the stabilizing support system 3000 can be placed into an exercise position (
A user may adjust the stabilizing support system 3000 into the storage position (
The stabilizing support system 3000 is much more compact when placed into the storage position because it is folded to where it only requires a mostly longitudinal space. As illustrated by
The list of reference numerals is provided for convenience and is intended to aid understanding of the illustrated embodiments described above. The embodiments of the present invention may be described in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the illustrated embodiments. Likewise, the list above setting forth the reference numerals and associated components comprising the illustrated embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention as recited in the claims that follow.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/961,136 filed Dec. 7, 2015, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/102,192 filed Jan. 12, 2015, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
3593708 | Steele | Jul 1971 | A |
3904195 | Chavanne | Sep 1975 | A |
4582320 | Shaw | Apr 1986 | A |
4674160 | Gibson | Jun 1987 | A |
5336148 | Ish, III | Aug 1994 | A |
5370595 | Voris et al. | Dec 1994 | A |
5407414 | Bass | Apr 1995 | A |
5800323 | Ansel | Sep 1998 | A |
5813951 | Einsig | Sep 1998 | A |
6077203 | Lay | Jun 2000 | A |
6190293 | Schuyler et al. | Feb 2001 | B1 |
6425845 | Varner | Jul 2002 | B1 |
7608020 | Mason | Oct 2009 | B2 |
8992393 | Reyes | Mar 2015 | B2 |
9868016 | Meredith | Jan 2018 | B2 |
9943721 | Hockridge | Apr 2018 | B2 |
20090170668 | Giannelli et al. | Jul 2009 | A1 |
20090192026 | Mason | Jul 2009 | A1 |
20100048368 | Donofrio | Feb 2010 | A1 |
20100137105 | McLaughlin | Jun 2010 | A1 |
20140080685 | Butler | Mar 2014 | A1 |
20160199686 | Meredity | Jul 2016 | A1 |
20160199691 | Hockridge | Jul 2016 | A1 |
20180193688 | Hockridge | Jul 2018 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20180093128 A1 | Apr 2018 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
62102192 | Jan 2015 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 14961136 | Dec 2015 | US |
Child | 15832102 | US |