FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to an exercise machine. More specifically, the present invention is a mountable exercise machine that is utilized to perform a wide variety of exercises based on elastic resistance and bodyweight.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Strength training generally relates to the use of resistance to induce muscular contraction in order to increase the size, anaerobic endurance, and strength of muscles. A wide variety of resistance exercises may be performed, most commonly through weight training utilizing equipment such as dumbbells, barbells, and free weights. Alternatively, bodyweight exercises may be performed in which body weight provides resistance during the exercises. Elastic resistance training generally relates to the use of cable machines. Cable machines include cables to which various types of handle devices may be attached and grasped in order to impart elastic resistance on the user's body during exercises. These types of exercises are often effective for strengthening both primary muscle groups as well as stabilizing muscles.
The present invention is a mountable exercise machine that allows the user to perform a wide variety of elastic resistance and bodyweight exercises. The present invention may be mounted to a door, wall, or similar surface or structure. The present invention allows the user to perform elastic resistance exercises for both the upper body and the lower body. Additionally, the present invention allows the user to perform various suspension and other bodyweight exercises.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front view of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention with the securing strap.
FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of an alternative of the present invention with the upper door bracket and the lower door bracket.
FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention with additional exercise options and a removable upper door bracket and lower door bracket.
FIG. 6 is a front view of the alternative embodiment of the present invention from FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the alternative embodiment of the present invention from FIG. 5.
FIG. 8 is a front exploded perspective view of the alternative embodiment of the present invention from FIG. 5.
FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention with additional exercise options and an integrated upper door bracket and lower door bracket.
FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention with the lower door bracket, the first plurality of elastic cables, and the second plurality of elastic cables removed.
FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention with the electronic display mount.
FIG. 12 is a rear perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention with an alternate upper door bracket.
FIG. 13 is a rear exploded perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention with an alternate upper door bracket.
FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of an alternative variant of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1.
DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION
All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
The present invention is a mountable exercise machine for use in performing exercises based on elastic resistance and bodyweight. The present invention is shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 and comprises a first mounting bracket 1, a second mounting bracket 2, a first resistance assembly 3, a second resistance assembly 4, a first handle 12, and a second handle 13. An alternative variant of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is shown in FIG. 14.
The first mounting bracket 1 and the second mounting bracket 2 are utilized to mount the present invention to a door, wall, or similar surface or structure. The present invention may be mounted to a floor as well in order increase the variety of exercises that may be performed with the present invention. The first mounting bracket 1 and the second mounting bracket 2 ensure that the present invention does not shift or otherwise move during exercise. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first mounting bracket 1 is tethered to the second mounting bracket 2 in order to provide further stability to the present invention during use. Additionally, the first mounting bracket 1 and the second mounting bracket 2 are offset from each other by a specified distance 14. This allows the present invention to be installed onto a structure such as a door by positioning the first mounting bracket 1 at the top of the door and the second mounting bracket 2 at the bottom of the door. Alternatively, the present invention may be installed onto a wall or similar surface by offsetting the second mounting bracket 2 from the first mounting bracket 1 on the wall. The first mounting bracket 1 and the second mounting bracket 2 may include foam padding to prevent damage to the surface onto which the first mounting bracket 1 and the second mounting bracket 2 are secured.
The first resistance assembly 3 and the second resistance assembly 4 are utilized to provide elastic resistance for strength training when utilizing the present invention. The first resistance assembly 3 is tethered to the first mounting bracket 1 while the second resistance assembly 4 is tethered to the first mounting bracket 1, opposite to the first resistance assembly 3. This allows the first resistance assembly 3 and the second resistance assembly 4 to provide balanced resistance to the user's body while the user is exercising. For example, the first resistance assembly 3 is able to provide resistance to the left side of the user's body while the second resistance assembly 4 is able to provide resistance to the right side of the user's body. The first handle 12 and the second handle 13 may be grasped by the user's hands when performing exercises. The first handle 12 is removably tethered to the first resistance assembly 3 while the second handle 13 is removably tethered to the second resistance assembly 4. As a result, resistance is imparted on the user's body by the first resistance assembly 3 and the second resistance assembly 4 when the user grasps the first handle 12 and the second handle 13 when performing exercises. The first handle 12 and the second handle 13 may be removed from the first resistance assembly 3 and the second resistance assembly 4 and replaced with an alternative handle device.
In the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the first resistance assembly 3 and the second resistance assembly 4 each comprise a first plurality of elastic cables 5, a second plurality of elastic cables 6, a first pulley assembly 7, and a second pulley assembly 8. The first plurality of elastic cables 5 and the second plurality of elastic cables 6 provide elastic resistance for strength training. The first pulley assembly 7 and the second pulley assembly 8 allow the user to perform exercises by drawing on and releasing the first plurality of elastic cables 5 and the second plurality of elastic cables 6. The first pulley assembly 7 and the second pulley assembly 8 additionally provide freedom of movement and adjustability to the first plurality of elastic cables 5 and the second plurality of elastic cables 6. The first pulley assembly 7 of the first resistance assembly 3 is pivotally mounted to the first mounting bracket 1 while the second pulley assembly 8 of the first resistance assembly 3 is pivotally mounted to the second mounting bracket 2. Similarly, the first pulley assembly 7 of the second resistance assembly 4 is pivotally mounted to the first mounting bracket 1, opposite to the first pulley assembly 7 of the first resistance assembly 3 and the second pulley assembly 8 of the second resistance assembly 4 is pivotally mounted to the second mounting bracket 2, opposite to the second pulley assembly 8 of the first resistance assembly 3. This allows the first pulley assembly 7 and the second pulley assembly 8 of both the first resistance assembly 3 and the second resistance assembly 4 to pivot and otherwise adjust during exercises based on the user's movement. The specific design and mechanism of the first pulley assembly 7 and the second pulley assembly 8 may vary across embodiments of the present invention.
The first plurality of elastic cables 5 is tensionably engaged about the first pulley assembly 7 of the first resistance assembly 3 and the second pulley assembly 8 of the first resistance assembly 3. As a result, the first pulley assembly 7 and the second pulley assembly 8 of the first resistance assembly 3 enable the first plurality of elastic cables 5 to be drawn and released by the user by rotating the first pulley assembly 7 and the second pulley assembly 8 of the first resistance assembly 3. The second plurality of elastic cables 6 is tensionably engaged about the first pulley assembly 7 of the second resistance assembly 4 and the second pulley assembly 8 of the second resistance assembly 4. The first pulley assembly 7 and the second pulley assembly 8 of the second resistance assembly 4 thus allow the second plurality of elastic cables 6 to be drawn and released by the user by rotating the first pulley assembly 7 and the second pulley assembly 8 of the second resistance assembly 4.
The first handle 12 is terminally connected to each cable from the first plurality of elastic cables 5 while the second handle 13 is terminally connected to each cable from the second plurality of elastic cables 6. The first handle 12 and the second handle 13 may thus be grasped and pulled or released when performing exercises. The specific number of cables for the first plurality of elastic cables 5 and the second plurality of elastic cables 6 may vary across embodiments of the present invention.
The first resistance assembly 3 and the second resistance assembly 4 each further comprise an ankle strap 9. The ankle strap 9 of the first resistance assembly 3 and the ankle strap 9 of the second resistance assembly 4 are utilized to secure the user's legs to the first plurality of elastic cables 5 and the second plurality of elastic cables 6. As a result, the ankle strap 9 allows the user to perform lower body exercises using the present invention in addition to upper body exercises through the first handle 12 and the second handle 13. The ankle strap 9 of the first resistance assembly 3 is terminally connected to each cable from the first plurality of elastic cables 5, opposite to the first handle 12. Similarly, the ankle strap 9 of the second resistance assembly 4 is terminally connected to each cable from the second plurality of elastic cables 6, opposite to the second handle 13. The ankle strap 9 of the first resistance assembly 3 and the ankle strap 9 of the second resistance assembly 4 are thus positioned offset from the first handle 12 and the second handle 13, allowing the user to perform lower body exercises. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the ankle strap 9 of the first resistance assembly 3 may be secured to the user's left leg while the ankle strap 9 of the second resistance assembly 4 may be secured to the user's right leg.
The embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 3 further comprises a securing strap 15. The securing strap 15 is utilized to tether the first mounting bracket 1 and the second mounting bracket 2 to each other. The first mounting bracket 1 is terminally connected to the securing strap 15 while the second mounting bracket 2 is terminally connected to the securing strap 15, opposite to the first mounting bracket 1. In this embodiment of the present invention, the securing strap 15 tethers the second mounting bracket 2 to the first mounting bracket 1 in lieu of the first plurality of elastic cables 5 and the second plurality of elastic cables 6.
With further reference to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 3, the first resistance assembly 3 and the second resistance assembly 4 each further comprise a retractable cable 10 and a retractable cable housing 11. This embodiment of the present invention may be attached to the top or the bottom of a door. The retractable cable 10 and the retractable cable housing 11 are utilized in lieu of the first plurality of elastic cables 5 and the second plurality of elastic cables 6 to provide elastic resistance when performing exercises. The retractable cable housing 11 of the first resistance assembly 3 is hingedly connected to the first mounting bracket 1 while the retractable cable housing 11 of the second resistance assembly 4 is hingedly connected to the first mounting bracket 1, opposite to the retractable cable housing 11 of the first resistance assembly 3. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a hinged and spring-loaded connection is utilized. The retractable cable housing 11 of the first resistance assembly 3 and the retractable cable housing 11 of the second resistance assembly 4 are thus able to provide balanced resistance to the user's body when performing exercises. Additionally, the retractable cable housing 11 of the first resistance assembly 3 and the retractable cable housing 11 of the second resistance assembly 4 are able to pivot and otherwise adjust during exercises based on the user's movement. The retractable cable 10 is retractably engaged into the retractable cable housing 11. This allows the retractable cable 10 to be drawn out of and into the retractable cable housing 11 during exercises, providing elastic resistance to the user's body. The first handle 12 is terminally and removably tethered to the retractable cable 10 of the first resistance assembly 3 while the second handle 13 is terminally and removably tethered to the retractable cable 10 of the second resistance assembly 4. Resistance is thus imparted on the user's body by the retractable cable 10 of the first resistance assembly 3 and the retractable cable 10 of the second resistance assembly 4 when the user grasps the first handle 12 and the second handle 13. The first handle 12 and the second handle 13 may be removed from the retractable cable 10 of the first resistance assembly 3 and the retractable cable 10 of the second resistance assembly 4 and replaced with an alternative handle device.
The embodiments of the present invention shown in FIGS. 4-9 further comprise an upper door bracket 16. The upper door bracket 16 enables the first mounting bracket 1 to be secured to the top of a door. The upper door bracket 16 is mounted along the first mounting bracket 1 in order to provide stability to the first mounting bracket 1 when the first mounting bracket 1 is mounted to a door. The upper door bracket 16 is oriented away from the first resistance assembly 3 and the second resistance assembly 4. This positions the first resistance assembly 3 and the second resistance assembly 4 along a door's planar surface when the first mounting bracket 1 is secured to the door. In the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 5-8, the upper door bracket 16 is removably mounted to the first mounting bracket 1. This enables the first mounting bracket 1 to be mounted to a wall or a door as desired by the user. Alternatively, the upper door bracket 16 may be integrated with the first mounting bracket 1 as shown in the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 9. The upper door bracket 16 may include foam padding to prevent damage to the door.
With further reference to the embodiments of the present invention shown in FIGS. 4-9, the embodiments of the present invention shown further comprise a lower door bracket 22. Similar to the upper door bracket 16, the lower door bracket 22 is utilized to secure the first mounting bracket 1 to the bottom of a door. The lower door bracket 22 is mounted along the second mounting bracket 2 and provides stability to the second mounting bracket 2 when the second mounting bracket 2 is mounted to a door. The lower door bracket 22 is oriented away from the first resistance assembly 3 and the second resistance assembly 4. The first resistance assembly 3 and the second resistance assembly 4 are thus positioned along a door's planar surface when the second mounting bracket 2 is secured to the door. In the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 5-8, the lower door bracket 22 is removably mounted to the second mounting bracket 2, enabling the second mounting bracket 2 to be mounted to a wall or a door as desired by the user. Alternatively, the lower door bracket 22 may be integrated with the second mounting bracket 2 as shown in the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 9. As with the upper door bracket 16, the lower door bracket 22 may include foam padding to prevent damage to the door.
With continued reference to FIGS. 5-9, these embodiments of the present invention further comprise a strap anchor 17, a pulley strap 18, a standalone pulley 19, a standalone cable 20, and at least one harness strap 21. The standalone pulley 19 and the standalone cable 20 provide the user with additional exercise options in addition to the first resistance assembly 3 and the second resistance assembly 4. The pulley strap 18 tethers the standalone pulley 19 to the strap anchor 17 while the strap anchor 17 is utilized to secure the pulley strap 18 in place, providing stability to the standalone pulley 19. The at least one harness strap 21 provides even further exercise options when utilizing the present invention by allowing the user to perform suspension exercises to strengthen the core.
The strap anchor 17 is centrally and pivotally connected to the upper door bracket 16, opposite to the first resistance assembly 3 and the second resistance assembly 4. The strap anchor 17 is thus positioned on the opposite side of the door on which the first resistance assembly 3 and the second resistance assembly 4 are located. The strap anchor 17 is hingedly moved into place against the doorframe in order to lock the standalone pulley 19, the pulley strap 18, and the standalone cable 20 in place. The strap anchor 17 is automatically positioned against the doorframe when the user draws on the at least one harness strap 21. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the strap anchor 17 includes foam padding to prevent damage to the doorframe. The standalone pulley 19 is positioned in between the first resistance assembly 3 and the second resistance assembly 4. The central positioning of the standalone pulley 19 ensures resistance is provided evenly when the user is utilizing the standalone cable 20 during exercises. The standalone pulley 19 is tethered to the strap anchor 17 by the pulley strap 18. As a result, the standalone pulley 19 is secured in place on the present invention on the strap anchor 17, preventing the standalone pulley 19 from separating from the strap anchor 17. The pulley strap 18 enables the standalone pulley 19 to be positioned on the opposite side of the door as the strap anchor 17. The standalone cable 20 is tensionably engaged about the standalone pulley 19. The standalone pulley 19 is thus rotated when the standalone cable 20 is pulled and released by the user during exercises. The at least one harness strap 21 is removably connected to the standalone pulley 19. The standalone pulley 19 serves as the mounting point for the at least one harness strap 21 and ensures that the user is able to perform suspension and other exercises safely utilizing the at least one harness strap 21.
The alternative embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 10 is designed for use when mounted to only the top of a door. This embodiment of the present invention may be utilized without the second mounting bracket 2. Additionally, the first plurality of elastic cables 5 and the second plurality of elastic cables 6 may be removed from this embodiment of the present invention.
The embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 11 further comprises an electronic display mount 23. The electronic display mount 23 allows an electronic device such as a tablet computer to be utilized along with the present invention. As a result, the user may view exercise program videos or other types of media while exercising. The electronic display mount 23 is connected to the first mounting bracket 1, in between the first resistance assembly 3 and the second resistance assembly 4. As a result, the electronic display mount 23 is positioned near the top portion of the door or wall to which the present invention is mounted. Alternatively, the electronic display mount 23 may be connected to the second mounting bracket 2, positioning the electronic display mount 23 at a lower elevation.
Two further alternative embodiments of the present invention are shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13. These alternative embodiments of the present invention feature alternative versions of the upper door bracket 16.
Although the present invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as hereinafter claimed.
Patent Application
20170106227
