Patent Application
20240399195
Not applicable to this application.
Not applicable to this application.
The present disclosure pertains to workout apparatuses, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to exercise rack multi-use accessory systems and methods of use. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a support pad, an attachment interface, and a frame bracket that are configured to mount to a workout rack or support.
In some embodiments, the present disclosure is directed to an apparatus, which presents a unique combination of a support pad, attachment interface, and frame bracket, which together create a versatile and customizable workout experience. Designed to cater to a wide range of exercise routines, the apparatus enhances the user's overall fitness journey by offering diverse options for strength training and muscle conditioning.
The support pad, configured to support at least a portion of the user's body, provides comfort and stability during workouts. Attached to a frame member of a workout rack, the apparatus allows for seamless integration into any fitness space. The attachment interface features a first end, designed to receive an attachment, and a second end, which pivotally attaches to the frame bracket. This arrangement enables the support pad to be selectively placed in a position.
The frame bracket itself is comprised of a first plate and a second plate, with the first plate comprising a first arcuate row of apertures and the second plate featuring a second arcuate row of apertures. The attachment interface mates with these plates and a locking member is inserted through the plates and attachment interface, securing the apparatus in the desired position. A spacer positioned between the first and second plates adds further stability to the setup.
The attachment interface incorporates an attachment stop and lock receiver, which receives a locking member when an attachment is installed onto the apparatus. This ensures that the attachment abuts the attachment stop. The leg extension attachment, which includes of a first extension plate, a second extension plate, and a lower plate, mates with the receiving track of the attachment interface.
Outwardly flared and downwardly angled end portions of the first and second extension plates with the attachment stop of the attachment interface. The leg extension attachment also includes a weight post or an anchor point for a tether, providing options for resistance during workouts. Upper and lower pads engage with the user's leg, offering support and comfort during exercises.
Additional features of the apparatus include handlebars for the user to grip during workouts, as well as a pair of leg pads that can be attached to the frame member via a leg pad bracket. The support pad comprises a cushion and a rigid plate, ensuring both comfort and stability during exercise routines.
Overall, this apparatus offers users an adaptable and functional piece of equipment, ideal for a variety of exercise routines. The innovative design ensures maximum support and comfort, allowing users to enhance their fitness journey while reducing the risk of injury.
There have thus been outlined, rather broadly, some of the embodiments of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional embodiments that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment in detail, it is to be understood that the various embodiments are not limited in their application to the details of construction or to the arrangements of the components outlined in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the description and should not be regarded as limiting.
To better understand the nature and advantages of the present disclosure, reference should be made to the following description and the accompanying figures. It is to be understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for illustration only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the scope of the present disclosure. Also, as a general rule, and unless it is evidence to the contrary from the description, where elements in different figures use identical reference numbers, the elements are generally either identical or at least similar in function or purpose.
The present disclosure is directed, in some embodiments, to a multi-use exercise rack accessory system. An example apparatus or system generally includes a support pad, an attachment interface, and a frame bracket. The frame bracket is configured to couple the support pad and attachment interface to a frame of a workout rack. Users can utilize the apparatus to perform exercises such as step-ups, box jumps, bodyweight triceps dips, incline/decline pushups, or other similar exercises known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
Some exercises can be performed with the apparatus without using an attachment or leg pads, which are optional. These exercises include, but are not limited to, free-weight bent-over rows (chest supported), free-weight incline bench press (back supported), Bulgarian split squats, step-ups, using the apparatus as a wall ball target, hip thrusters, and the like.
Exercises that can be performed with the apparatus in combination with knee keeper/leg pads include, but are not limited to, cable/tether lat pull-down, modified glute-ham developer sit-up, and Nordic hamstring curl, just to name a few. Exercises that can be performed with the apparatus in combination with a leg extension attachment include, but are not limited to, standing single-leg curls and seated leg extensions. As noted in some of the example exercises, the apparatus can be attached to a load using a tether in some embodiments, while in others, a weight post can be attached to the apparatus for use with or without the tether.
The support pad has a selectable position in an arc about its connection point to the frame/workout rack. This allows the support pad to be positioned in a substantially flat orientation relative to the ground or various orientations of incline and/or decline. A user can select a position for the support pad by pivoting it and then placing a locking member, such as a pin, through apertures in a portion of the frame bracket that is proximate to the attachment interface.
In some configurations, the apparatus may be used in conjunction with accessories, such as a leg pad stop that is used to keep a user's legs and lower body stable during the performance of seated exercises such as lat pulldowns, where the user is seated on the support pad and the leg pad stop is used to prevent the user's legs from lifting and to stabilize the lower body during exercise.
Various attachments can be connected to the attachment interface. Notably, a leg exercise attachment can be joined to the apparatus at the attachment interface. The leg exercise attachment can be used to perform exercises such as seated or standing leg extensions, leg curls, and the like. The leg exercise attachment can be installed when a user guides a portion of the leg exercise attachment onto a receiving track of the attachment interface. The attachment interface includes engagement stops that cooperate with tabs on the leg exercise attachment, and another locking member, such as a pin, can be inserted through the leg exercise attachment and the attachment interface to secure the leg exercise attachment.
Referring now to
The apparatus 10 includes a support pad 16, an attachment interface 18 (illustrated in
Referring now to
The first interface plate 26 and the second interface plate 28 each mount to an underside of the rigid plate 24. The plates can be welded or otherwise attached to the rigid plate 24. The first interface plate 26 and the second interface plate 28 are spaced apart from one another to form a receiving track that receives an attachment, such as a leg extension attachment.
The lock receiver 32 is located at a first end of the attachment interface 18, and the attachment interface 18 pivotally couples to the frame bracket 20 at a second end. That is, the first end is adapted to receive an attachment, and a second end is configured to pivotally attach to a frame bracket allowing the support pad 16 to be selectively placed in a position about the arc. The lock receiver 32 is comprised of apertures 33 and 35 that are located on each of the first interface plate 26 and the second interface plate 28, respectively.
In some embodiments, the attachment interface 18 is pivotally coupled to the frame bracket 20 at an attachment point 34 that includes a bolt 36 and spacer 38 that establishes and maintains the space between the first interface plate 26 and the second interface plate 28. The spacer 38 also functions to cover the threads of the bolt 36. While a bolt has been disclosed, other fastening members can be used.
The first interface plate 26 and the second interface plate 28 are, in some embodiments, mirror image components. The lower end of each of the first interface plate 26 and the second interface plate 28 is slightly inwardly angled. That is, the lower ends of the first interface plate 26 and the second interface plate 28 are angled slightly towards a centerline C of the attachment interface 18, as best illustrated in
The attachment stop 30, in one embodiment, is a bar that extends between the first interface plate 26 and the second interface plate 28. More specifically, the attachment stop 30 extends partly past each of the first interface plate 26 and the second interface plate 28 to form protrusions. In some embodiments, the attachment stop 30 forms a first protrusion 40 relative to the first interface plate 26 and a second protrusion 42 relative to the second interface plate 28. As will be discussed below, the stops provide an engagement point for an attachment, such as a leg extension attachment.
In
The frame bracket 20 includes a first bracket plate 48, a second bracket plate 50, and a slotted spacer 52. The first bracket plate 48 and the second bracket plate 50 are mirror image components, in some embodiments. In one embodiment, the first bracket plate 48 includes a first arcuate row of apertures 54 and the second bracket plate 50 includes a second arcuate row of apertures 56. The frame bracket 20 can couple with the frame member 12 and one or more locking members 58 and 60 (frame bracket locks) can be used to releasably secure the frame bracket 20 and the frame member 12. The locking members could include pins, bolts, or any other fastener that would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art. That is, the ends of the first bracket plate 48 and the second bracket plate 50 include apertures that align with apertures on the frame member 12. The locking members 58 and 60 then are placed through the apertures on the frame bracket 20 and the frame member 12 that are aligned. The slotted spacer 52 spaces the first bracket plate 48 and the second bracket plate 50 apart from each other and includes a slot that allows for the passage of a cable/tether as will be discussed herein.
As noted above, the first selection aperture 44 of the attachment interface 18 aligns with an aperture of the first arcuate row of apertures 54 and the second selection aperture 46 of the attachment interface 18 aligns with an aperture of the second arcuate row of apertures 56. Another locking member 62, such as a pin, can be used to lock the support pad 16 in the selected position.
The pin can act as a stop, where the support pad 16 can rest against the pin but still pivot up. In these instances, the pin is inserted through the first and second rows of apertures, but not through the first and second selection apertures. In another embodiment, the pin can extend through the first and second rows of apertures, as well as the first and second selection apertures, which locks the support pad 16 in place.
Referring now to
In one configuration, a locking member 58 is inserted through apertures 71A and 73A, while another locking member is inserted through apertures 71C and 73C. In another configuration, the leg pad accessory 64 can be turned upside down and a locking member is inserted through apertures 71B and 73B, while another locking member is inserted through apertures 71D and 73D. Again, these spacings allow for two distinct installation orientations.
Referring briefly to
In
Referring now to
The leg extension attachment 80 includes a dual angle arm (spacer bar) 98 that couples with the first extension plate 82 and the second extension plate 84 and suspends a second arm 100 which supports a second pair of pads 102 and 104. The pads 90 and 92 and the pads 102 and 104 are approximately vertically aligned in some embodiments. A third arm 106 can be attached to the dual angle arm 98 and associated with a weight post 108 that can be used to support a load such as weights. In some embodiments, the leg extension attachment 80 also includes a pair of handles 110 and 112 that attach to the first extension plate 82 and the second extension plate 84, respectively. The handles 110 and 112 can have any desired/ergonomic configuration, but in one embodiment, each of the handles 110 and 112 has an angled section and a straight section. For example, handle 110 has an angled section 114 and a straight section 116. The handles 110, 112 are configured to be gripped by a user when the user is performing an exercise.
In operation, the apparatus 10 can be used in combination with a workout rack or other frame member to perform various exercises. The support pad 16 can be adjusted to various angles relative to the frame member 12 by adjusting the angle α and securing the attachment interface 18 to the frame bracket 20 at the desired angle using the locking member 62. This allows the user to perform different exercises targeting different muscle groups with a single apparatus.
Additionally, the leg pad accessory 64 and the leg extension attachment 80 can be added to the apparatus 10 as needed to perform specific exercises. For instance, the leg pad accessory 64 can be installed on the frame member to provide support for the user's lower body during exercises such as lat pull-downs or as a back support during leg extensions. The leg extension attachment 80 can be installed on the attachment interface 18 to enable the user to perform leg extension exercises, with the pads and handles providing support and stability during the movement.
In summary, the apparatus 10 disclosed herein provides a versatile exercise system that can be used for a variety of exercises, including box jumps, step-ups, split squats, triceps dips, push-ups, and other bodyweight exercises, as well as leg extensions and other exercises involving additional attachments. The adjustability of the support pad 16 and the ability to add various accessories make the apparatus 10 a valuable tool for users looking to perform a wide range of exercises with a single piece of equipment.
In one example operation, as shown in
Referring now to
Referring now to
The user can connect a cable/tether 120 to an attachment point 123 (
To perform a leg extension exercise, the user can overlap their legs across the pads 90 and 92 and place their legs behind the pads 102 and 104 so that their shins contact the pads 102 and 104. The user can then extend their lower leg, below the knees, to perform the exercise and lift the weights attached to the weight post and/or the tether.
In another example configuration and operation, the user could perform a standing leg kickback or extension exercise as shown in
Another related embodiment is shown in
Any and all headings are for convenience only and have no limiting effect. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. All patent applications, patents, and printed publications cited herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties, except for any definitions, subject matter disclaimers or disavowals, and except to the extent that the incorporated material is inconsistent with the express disclosure herein, in which case the language in this disclosure controls.
While various embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. The descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the technology to the particular forms set forth herein. To the contrary, the present descriptions are intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the technology as defined by the appended claims and otherwise appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art. The various embodiments of the present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the various embodiments in the present disclosure be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Thus, the breadth and scope of a preferred embodiment should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments.
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. All patent applications, patents, and printed publications cited herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties, except for any definitions, subject matter disclaimers or disavowals, and except to the extent that the incorporated material is inconsistent with the express disclosure herein, in which case the language in this disclosure controls. Any headings utilized within the description are for convenience only and have no legal or limiting effect.
