The presently disclosed invention is directed to a storage system configured to for the organization and storage of fitness equipment.
Because group fitness activities, such as instructor-led classes, are an increasingly popular form of exercise, many different businesses offer some form of group fitness activity. These businesses include large commercial gyms, smaller studio fitness centers, and fitness centers solely dedicated to one or more specific group fitness activities. Many group fitness activities require the use of specialized equipment, meaning that a business must maintain and store such equipment so as to be easily accessible to its customers. The storage of fitness equipment, however, takes up valuable exercise space. Additionally, where multiple types of fitness equipment are stored in a single area, it is easy for the equipment to become disorganized, hindering access to that equipment. Finally, where the space is used for activities other than group fitness activities, it may be fairly easy for a person to walk off with the fitness equipment.
Embodiments of the fitness equipment storage system of the present disclosure provide an improved storage solution that allows for the organized storage of one or more types of fitness equipment in a manner that both (a) effectively utilizes a variety of small spaces and (b) provides easy access to the equipment. As illustrated in the attached drawings, the fitness equipment storage system of the present disclosure is positionable in multiple orientations to provide and/or restrict access to the equipment while overcoming various potential spatial limitations. Embodiments of the storage system may also be made of an easily cleanable and sterile material, such as metal (other embodiments may be made of wood or plastic), and may contain a plurality of apertures, e.g. perforations, in order to both (a) provide airflow within the various storage compartments and (b) allow users to see the equipment stored within each of the various storage compartments.
Some embodiments of the fitness equipment storage system of the present disclosure may comprise one or more storage compartments configured to store a plurality of dumbbells. Some embodiments of the fitness equipment storage system of the present disclosure may comprise one or more storage compartments configured to store a plurality of resistance bands, jump ropes, resistance tubing, and/or other hanging fitness accessories. Some embodiments of the fitness equipment storage system of the present disclosure may comprise one or more storage compartments configured to store a plurality of exercise mats. Some embodiments of the fitness equipment storage system of the present disclosure may comprise one or more storage compartments configured to store a plurality of boxing gloves or other small fitness accessories.
A clear conception of the advantages and features of one or more embodiments will become more readily apparent by reference to the exemplary, and therefore non-limiting, embodiments illustrated in the drawings:
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to an improved fitness equipment storage system.
The storage system 100 further comprises a first side unit 300 having a front wall 20, a rear wall 22, an outer side wall 24, a bottom wall 26 having one or more wheels 28, and a top wall 27. The walls of the first side unit 300 define a third storage compartment 700. The rear wall 22 of the first side unit 300 is hingedly connected to the central unit 200, such that the first side unit 300 is movable with respect to the central unit.
The storage system 100 further comprises a second side unit 400 having a front wall 30, a rear wall 32, an outer side wall 34, a bottom wall 36 having one or more wheels 38, and a top wall 37. The walls of the second side unit 400 define a fourth storage compartment 800. The rear wall 32 of the second side unit 400 is hingedly connected to the central unit 200, such that the second side unit 400 is movable with respect to the central unit.
In some embodiments, wheels may be included in the fitness equipment storage system 100 in order to more easily move the system. The wheels also help in moving the first side unit 300 and second side unit 400 to various positions by rotation about hinged connections between each of the first and second side unit with central unit 200. In some embodiments, for instance, the central unit 200 may have four wheels 16, the first side unit 300 may have two wheels 28, and the second side unit 400 may have two wheels 38. In other embodiments, however, the central unit 200 and the first and second side units 300, 400 may have differing numbers of wheels.
In some embodiments, one or more of the wheels may be mounted so that the axis of the wheel may be rotatable 360 degrees. In other embodiments, the wheels may be mounted so that the axis of the wheel is fixed or substantially fixed. In some embodiments, one or more of the wheels may comprise a locking mechanism, which when activated prevents the one or more wheels from spinning. For instance, one or more of the wheels may comprise a foot-operated wheel lock.
In some embodiments, the walls of the fitness equipment storage system 100 can each be made of metal. Providing the storage system 100 with metal walls provides benefits in terms of being easy to clean and as being resistant to, e.g. not absorbing, moisture (e.g. sweat) and/or odors from exercise equipment stored within the storage compartments. In other embodiments, however, the walls can be made of wood or plastic materials. In some embodiments, all walls of each of the central unit 200, the first side unit 300, and the second side unit 400 may be metal.
In some embodiments, one or more walls of the fitness equipment storage system 100 may contain a plurality of apertures 70 in order to provide airflow within the various storage compartments within each of the various storage compartments. Airflow is particularly important for the storage of fitness equipment, as it allows for the evaporation of moisture and dissipation of odors from the equipment. Without any such apertures 70, for instance, moisture and odor may become trapped within the storage compartments causing degradation of the equipment and an unpleasant user experience. Depending on how they are configured and arranged, apertures 70 may also provide visibility into a storage compartment even when that storage compartment is closed/inaccessible. Accordingly, a user may be able to determine which storage compartment contains a desired piece or set of equipment without having to open any of the compartments.
The apertures 70 can be located on any of the walls of the storage system. For instance, in the embodiment illustrated in
In some embodiments, including for example the embodiment illustrated in
In some embodiments, the fitness equipment storage system 100 may further comprise latches 80,90 to keep the side units stationary and secure the storage system in a closed and optionally locked position which can be used to restrict access to the equipment when necessary. For instance, the front wall 20 of the first side unit 300 may have a first latching element 82 and the front wall 10 of the central unit 200 may have a second latching element 84, the first and second latching elements 82,84 being configured to mate so as to prevent movement of the first side unit away from the central unit. Similarly, the front wall 30 of the second side unit 400 may have a first latching element 92 and the front wall 10 of the central unit 200 may have a second latching element 94, the first and second latching elements 92,94 being configured to mate so as to prevent movement of the second side unit away from the central unit.
In some embodiments, one or more of the latches may further comprise a locking element, such as a key lock, an opening configured to receive a padlock, a combination lock, or the like. In that way, an operator of a gym or fitness studio may easily lock the storage system to protect the fitness equipment when the equipment is not in use. Because of the unique way in which the storage compartments are closed, all four storage compartments may be locked through the use of two locking elements.
The fitness equipment storage system 100 is configured so that it can be placed in a variety of orientations. As shown in
For instance, the first side unit 300 is movable between at least a first (closed) position in which the front wall 20 of the first side unit 300 is aligned with the front wall 12 of the central unit 200, whereby the first storage compartment 500 and the third storage compartment 700 face one another such that each storage compartment is inaccessible, and a second (open) position in which the front wall 20 of the first side unit 300 is substantially perpendicular to the front wall 10 of the central unit 200, whereby the first storage compartment 500 and the third storage compartment 700 are positioned substantially perpendicular to one another such that each storage compartment is accessible. Similarly, the second side unit 400 is movable between at least a first (closed) position in which the front wall 30 of the second side unit 400 is aligned with the front wall 12 of the central unit 200, whereby the second storage compartment 600 and the fourth storage compartment 800 face one another such that each storage compartment is inaccessible, and a second (open) position in which the front wall 30 of the second side unit 400 is substantially perpendicular to the front wall 12 of the central unit 200, whereby the second storage compartment 600 and the fourth storage compartment 800 are positioned substantially perpendicular to one another such that each storage compartment is accessible.
The first side unit 300 and second side unit 400 may each be further movable to a third (fully open) position. In the third position, the rear wall 22 of the first side unit 300 may be adjacent to and substantially aligned with the rear wall 12 of the central unit 200. As a result, the first storage compartment 500 and the third storage compartment 700 are open in substantially the same direction such that each storage compartment is accessible. This is shown, for example, in
In further embodiments, the fitness equipment storage system 100 may further comprise a central unit 200 having two or more hingedly connected portions. An example of such an embodiment is shown in
The embodiment shown in
As shown in
By dividing the central unit 200 into first and second portions 202, 204, fitness equipment storage system 100 may be placed into a variety of additional orientations, providing enhanced flexibility for gyms, fitness studios, and the like. For instance, when the central unit 200 is made up of two separate portions 202,204 that are moveable relative to one another, the first storage compartment 500, second storage compartment 600, third storage compartment 700, and fourth storage compartment 800 may be positioned to all open in substantially the same direction such that each storage compartment is accessible along a single wall, as shown in
In some embodiments of the fitness equipment storage system 100, one or more of storage compartment 500, second storage compartment 600, third storage compartment 700, and fourth storage compartment 800 may be configured to accommodate a particular type of exercise equipment.
In some embodiments, for instance, at least one of the first storage compartment 500, second storage compartment 600, third storage compartment 700, and fourth storage compartment 800 is configured to store a plurality of dumbbells. For example, the rear/interior wall of a storage compartment may comprise pegs or hooks that project outwardly and which are configured to support the handles of dumbbells. Each set of pegs/hooks may be sized and spaced equally, or pegs/hooks may be of varying sizes and/or spacings so as to support dumbbells having different dimensions, such as may be the case for a range of relatively low-weight to relatively high-weight dumbbells. Where a variety of differently weighted dumbbells are to be stored, the storage compartment may include an indication that heavier dumbbells are stored below lighter dumbbells.
In some embodiments, at least one of the first storage compartment 500, second storage compartment 600, third storage compartment 700, and fourth storage compartment 800 is configured to store a plurality of resistance bands, resistance tubing, jump ropes, or a combination thereof. For example, the rear/interior wall of a storage compartment may comprise a plurality of pegs or hooks on which the resistance bands, resistance tubing, jump ropes, or the like can be hung.
In some embodiments, at least one of the first storage compartment 500, second storage compartment 600, third storage compartment 700, and fourth storage compartment 800 is configured to store a plurality of exercise mats. For example, the rear/interior wall of a storage compartment may comprise a plurality of shelves, optionally containing front faces, onto which loosely rolled exercise mats may be placed.
In some embodiments, at least one of the first storage compartment 500, second storage compartment 600, third storage compartment 700, and fourth storage compartment 800 is configured to store a plurality of boxing gloves. For example, the rear/interior wall of a storage compartment may comprise a plurality of shelves, optionally containing front faces, onto which boxing gloves may be placed. Alternatively, the rear/interior wall of a storage compartment may comprise a plurality of pegs/hooks onto which boxing gloves may be hung.
In some embodiments, the interiors of at least one of the first storage compartment 500, second storage compartment 600, third storage compartment 700, and fourth storage compartment 800 may contain shelves 86, such as those shown in
It can be seen that the described embodiments provide unique and novel storage systems having a number of advantages over those in the art. While there is described herein certain specific elements embodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the elements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms herein shown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.
The present application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/642,978, filed Mar. 14, 2018, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62642978 | Mar 2018 | US |