This invention relates generally to workout equipment, and more particularly to outdoor workout equipment.
Many exercise enthusiasts prefer exercising outdoors. For example, outdoor weight lifting facilities are popular in regions where warm weather prevails. One challenge with outdoor weight lifting facilities is that inclement weather (e.g. rain) is often unpredictable, thereby resulting in unpredictable operating times in such facilities. Another challenge is that what may be preferred weather to one individual may not necessarily be preferred by another. For example, many individuals prefer to be exposed to intense sunlight while working out while others prefer to be shielded from direct sunlight. Another challenge with outdoor weight lifting facilities is that it is difficult to stabilize and level heavy weight lifting equipment on the ground. Another challenge with outdoor weight lifting facilities is that puddles often accumulate on the ground around the equipment after it rains. Of course, most people are not willing to stand in a puddle during their exercise routine so they must wait for it to dry. Yet another problem with outdoor weight lifting facilities is that slippery ground can be dangerous, especially to athletes lifting heavy weights, where even a minor slip can result in a serious injury.
The present invention overcomes the problems associated with the prior art by providing an outdoor workout station. The invention provides a safe, stable environment for heavy exercise equipment, even on unlevel ground.
An example workout station includes an exercise structure, a platform, and a canopy. The platform is configured to support the exercise structure thereon. The canopy assembly can include a frame coupled to the platform and a cover supported over the platform by the frame. In the example workout station, the platform can include a frame and a plurality of legs. The legs can be coupled to the frame of the platform, and each of the legs can include a bottom portion and an opposite top portion. Each bottom portion can be configured to rest on an underlying supporting surface. Each top portion can be adjustably coupled to the frame of the platform to facilitate the leveling of the platform by raising and lowering each leg with respect to the platform.
In an example workout station, the frame of the platform can include a first beam extending along a first direction and a second beam extending along a second direction parallel to the first direction. The example exercise structure can include a first bottom portion and a second bottom portion. The first bottom portion is configured to support at least a portion of the weight of the exercise structure and is disposed over the first beam of the platform. The second bottom portion is configured to support at least a portion of the weight of the exercise structure and is disposed over the second beam. The first bottom portion of the exercise structure can be fixed to the first beam, and the second bottom portion of the exercise structure can be fixed to the second beam.
In a particular example workout station, the exercise structure can include a first beam extending along a third direction that is parallel to the first direction of the first beam of the frame of the platform. The first beam of the exercise structure can form the first bottom portion of the exercise structure and is disposed over the first beam of the frame of the platform. The exercise structure can also include a second beam extending along a fourth direction that is parallel to the second direction of the second beam of the frame of the platform. The second beam of the exercise structure can form the second bottom portion of the exercise structure and is disposed over the second beam of the frame of the platform. The exercise structure can additionally include a first column extending upward from the first beam of the exercise structure and a second column extending upward from the second beam of the exercise structure.
In an example workout station, the frame of the platform can include a third beam and a fourth beam. The third beam can extend along a third direction that is perpendicular to the first direction (i.e., of the first beam) and includes a first end and an opposite second end. The fourth beam can extend along a fourth direction that is parallel to the third direction (i.e., of the third beam) and includes a first end and an opposite second end. The first beam of the frame of the platform includes a first end and an opposite second end, and the second beam of the frame of the platform includes a first end and an opposite second end. The first end of the first beam of the frame of the platform can be coupled to the first end of the third beam of the frame of the platform, and the second end of the first beam of the frame of the platform can be coupled to the first end of the fourth beam of the frame of the platform. Additionally, the first end of the second beam of the frame of the platform can be coupled to the second end of the third beam of the frame of the platform, and the second end of the second beam of the frame of the platform can be coupled to the second end of the fourth beam of the frame of the platform.
In an example workout station, the plurality of legs can include a first leg, a second leg, a third leg, and a fourth leg. The first leg can be disposed proximate the first end of the first beam of the frame of the platform and proximate the first end of the third beam of the frame of the platform. The second leg can be disposed proximate the second end of the first beam of the frame of the platform and proximate the first end of the fourth beam of the frame of the platform. The third leg can be disposed proximate the first end of the second beam of the frame of the platform and proximate the second end of the third beam of the frame of the platform. The fourth leg can be disposed proximate the second end of the second beam of the frame of the platform and proximate the second end of the fourth beam of the frame of the platform.
An example workout station can additionally include a first panel (e.g., flooring). The first panel can be supported by and between the first beam of the frame of the platform, the second beam of the frame of the platform, the third beam of the frame of the platform, and the fourth beam of the frame of the platform. Optionally, the example workout station can additionally include a second panel supported on the first panel.
In an example workout station, the frame of the platform can further include a fifth beam, a sixth beam, a seventh beam, an eighth beam, a ninth beam, and a tenth beam. The fifth beam includes a first end and an opposite second end and can extend along a direction that is parallel to the first direction (i.e., parallel to the first beam). The sixth beam includes a first end and an opposite second end and can extend along the third direction (i.e., of the third beam). The seventh beam includes a first end and an opposite second end and can extend along the fourth direction (i.e., of the fourth beam). The eighth beam includes a first end and an opposite second end and can extend along a direction that is parallel to the first direction. The ninth beam includes a first end and an opposite second end and can extend along the third direction. The tenth beam includes a first end and an opposite second end and can extend along the fourth direction. The first end of the fifth beam of the frame of the platform can be coupled to the second end of the sixth beam of the frame of the platform, and the second end of the fifth beam of the frame of the platform can be coupled to the second end of the seventh beam of the frame of the platform. The first end of the sixth beam can be coupled to at least one of the first end of the second beam of the frame of the platform and the second end of the third beam of the frame of the platform. The first end of the seventh beam can be coupled to at least one of the second end of the second beam of the frame of the platform and the second end of the fourth beam of the frame of the platform. The first end of the eighth beam of the frame of the platform can be coupled to the first end of the ninth beam of the frame of the platform, and the second end of the eighth beam of the frame of the platform can be coupled to the first end of the tenth beam of the frame of the platform. The second end of the ninth beam can be coupled to at least one of the first end of the first beam of the frame of the platform and the first end of the third beam of the frame of the platform. The second end of the tenth beam can be coupled to at least one of the second end of the first beam of the frame of the platform and the first end of the fourth beam of the frame of the platform. So connected, the beams of the platform form a frame with three adjacent rectangular sections that can be assembled and/or leveled sequentially, starting with the center section.
In the example workout station, the plurality of leveling legs includes a first leg, a second leg, a third leg, a fourth leg, a fifth leg, a sixth leg, a seventh leg, and an eighth leg. The first leg can be disposed proximate the first end of the first beam of the frame of the platform, and the second leg can be disposed proximate the second end of the first beam of the frame of the platform. The third leg can be disposed proximate the first end of the second beam of the frame of the platform, and the fourth leg can be disposed proximate the second end of the second beam of the frame of the platform. The fifth leg can be disposed proximate the first end of the fifth beam of the frame of the platform, and the sixth leg can be disposed proximate the second end of the fifth beam of the frame of the platform. The seventh leg can be disposed proximate the first end of the eighth beam of the frame of the platform, and the eighth leg can be disposed proximate the second end of the eighth beam of the frame of the platform.
An example workout station can additionally include a first floor panel, a second floor panel, and a third floor panel. The first floor panel can be supported by and between the first beam, the second beam, the third beam, and the fourth beam of the frame of the platform. The second floor panel can be supported by and between the second beam, the fifth beam, the sixth beam, and the seventh beam of the frame of the platform. The third floor panel can be supported by and between the first beam, the eighth beam, the ninth beam, and the tenth beam of the frame of the platform. In a particular example workstation, the second floor panel and the third floor panel have the same size and/or shape.
The example workout station can additionally include a fourth floor panel, a fifth floor panel, and a sixth floor panel. The fourth floor panel can be supported on the first floor panel, the fifth floor panel can be supported on the second floor panel, and the sixth floor panel can be supported on the third floor panel. The first floor panel and the fourth floor panel have the same shape and/or size. The second floor panel, the third floor panel, the fifth floor panel, and the sixth floor panel can all have the same shape and/or size.
In an example workout station, the frame of the platform can be supported by the plurality of legs. The exercise structure can be supported by the platform, and the frame of the canopy can also be supported by the platform.
In an example workout station, the platform can include a first support beam and a second support beam, and the exercise structure defines a footprint on the platform. The footprint can include a first portion disposed over the first support beam and a second portion disposed over the second support beam. The first portion of the footprint can have a center, and the center of the first portion of the footprint can be disposed over the first support beam. The second portion of the footprint can also have a center, and the center of the second portion of the footprint can be disposed over the second beam.
In a particular example workout station, the exercise structure can be a weight rack. The weight rack can have a first side frame, a second side frame, and one or more transverse members coupling the first side frame to the second side frame. The first support beam can extend along a first direction, and the second support beam extends along a second direction. The first side frame can have an elongated bottom member extending along the first direction and defining the first portion of the footprint, and the second side frame can have an elongated bottom member extending along the second direction and defining the second portion of the footprint.
In the example workout station, the position of the weight rack on the platform can be selectively adjustable. The first support beam can be substantially parallel to the second support beam. The first support beam can define a plurality of attachment apertures, and the second support beam defines a complementary second plurality of attachment apertures. The elongated bottom member of the first side frame can be substantially parallel to the elongated bottom member of the second side frame. The elongated bottom member of the first side frame can define a third plurality of attachment apertures, and the elongated bottom member of the second side frame can define a complementary fourth plurality of attachment apertures. The first plurality of attachment apertures can include a greater number of attachment apertures than the third plurality of attachment apertures, and the second plurality of attachment apertures can include a greater number of apertures than the fourth plurality of attachment apertures. The apertures of the third plurality of attachment apertures can arranged to align with different subsets of attachment apertures of the first plurality of attachment apertures, and the apertures of the fourth plurality of attachment apertures can be arranged to align with different subsets of attachment apertures of the second set of attachment apertures. The position of the weight rack on the platform can be adjusted by selectively aligning the third plurality of attachment apertures with a particular one of the subsets of attachment apertures of the first set of attachment apertures, and selectively aligning the fourth plurality of attachment apertures with a particular one of the subsets of attachment apertures of the second set of attachment apertures. Fasteners can be disposed through the aligned attachment apertures to secure the weight rack to the beams of the platform.
An example workout station can include a weight rack, a platform, and a canopy. The weight rack can include a tubular frame, and the tubular frame can include a plurality of bottom tubes arranged together to rest on a flat surface of the platform. The platform can be configured to support the weight rack thereon, and the platform can include a plurality of support beams arranged to correspond to the bottom tubes of the weight rack. The bottom tubes of the weight rack can be mechanically fastened to the support beams of the platform. The platform can additionally include a plurality of leveling legs. The canopy can be disposed to shade at least a portion of the platform.
The present invention is described with reference to the following drawings, wherein like reference numbers denote substantially similar elements:
The present invention overcomes the problems associated with the prior art, by providing an outdoor workout station including a platform and a canopy. The platform supports exercise equipment thereon, and the canopy is disposed over the platform. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth (e.g., fasteners, materials, etc.) in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize, however, that the invention may be practiced apart from these specific details. In other instances, details of well-known manufacturing practices (e.g., stock extrusion, material strengthening, etc.) and components have been omitted, so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.
Panels 200 provide a planar surface upon which users stand when using workout station 100 and are formed, for example, from sheets of wood (e.g., oriented strand board, plywood, and so on) or any other sufficiently strong and tough sheet material (e.g., polymer, metal, and so on). Floor panels 200 can also include layers formed of other materials (e.g., rubber, plastic, and so on) to provide desirable characteristics such as a non-slip surface. Specific details of panels 200 will be described in further detail with reference to
Frame 202 provides structural support to exercise structure 104 and canopy assembly 106 (shown in
Each of legs 204 includes a column 206 having a bottom portion and a top portion. A foot plate 208 is attached to bottom portion of column 206, and the top portion of column 206 facilitates vertical height adjustability. More specifically, each column 206 is adjustably received within a respective column receiver 210, each of which is attached (e.g. welded) to frame 202, to facilitate the leveling of platform 102 on the ground. The distance between each foot plate 208 and respective column receiver 210 can be adjusted by moving the column 206 up or down within the respective column receiver 210. When the desired distance between foot plate 208 and frame 202 is achieved, column 206 is fixed with respect to column receiver 210 by advancing bolts 212 through respective nuts 214 to engage column 206. In this example embodiment, nuts 214 are welded to the sidewalls of receiver 210 and include threaded apertures that pass completely through the sidewalls, such that bolts 212 engage the exterior surface of column 206 when tightened. However, any suitable means of fixing the position of foot plate 208 with respect to frame 202 can be employed including, but not limited to pins/apertures, screw jack, scissor jack, and so on. Each foot plate 208 has an enlarged area that disperses the supported weight and prevents the respective leg 204 attached thereto from sinking into the underlying soil when the weight of workout station 100 is exerted thereon. Each foot plate 208 additionally includes a plurality of apertures 215 that facilitate fixing foot plate 208 to an underlying surface (e.g., soil, asphalt, and so on).
In the example embodiment, exercise structure 104 is a weight rack that is configured to support a plurality of weights and other miscellaneous equipment (e.g., weight bars, chin-up bars, a bench, etc.). Exercise structure 104 is a modular structure that includes a frame 216, various weight holders 218, a bar holder 220, and two feet 222. Frame 216 provides structural support to weight holders 218, bar holder 220, and any weights and/or weight bars disposed thereon. Frame 206 includes a plurality of apertures 224, which facilitate the selective re-positioning of weight holders 218 and bar holder 220 into any desirable configuration. Furthermore, apertures 224 allow various miscellaneous components (e.g., weight holders, bar holders, pull-up handles, etc.) to be added to and/or removed from frame 216 according to user preference. As shown, the spacing between feet 222 of frame 216 is substantially the same as the spacing between a respective set of underlying beams 226 of frame 202. This allows the weight of exercise structure 104, and any additional weight loaded thereon, to be exerted directly on beams 226 and not panels 200. In addition, because exercise structure 104 can be set up in a number of different configurations, the position of exercise structure 104 can be adjusted forward and backward and secured in any one of a number of different predefined discrete positions. However, the footprint of exercise structure 104 remains the same, regardless of the particular configuration, and therefore remains aligned with beams 226 of frame 110.
U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/029,905, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, discloses a modular weight station capable of multiple configurations. Because those configurations are built upon exercise structure 104, they have the same or similar footprint as exercise structure 104. Therefore, any or all of those configurations can be advantageously used in combination with platform 102 or an extended version of platform 102.
In addition, other types of exercise equipment can be used in conjunction with platform 102, as long as there is some correspondence between beams 226 and the footprint of the particular exercise equipment. For example, an elliptical running machine might have a footprint that includes four separate foot pads, and be positioned with two of the footpads being located over a portion of one of beams 226, and the other two footpads being located over the other of beams 226. In addition, corresponding apertures could be provided in the footpads to facilitate securement of the footpads to beams 226. As another example, a piece of exercise equipment might have a footprint including one or more irregular shapes. A portion of the irregular shapes sufficient to bear the load of the equipment could be positioned over beams 226. Preferably, but not necessarily, the center of each respective portion of a footprint would be positioned over one of beams. As yet another example, elongated footprints extending perpendicularly with respect to beams 226 could be arranged so that each opposite end of the footprint extends over one of beams 226.
The components of workout station 100 will now be described in greater detail with reference to
Coupler 502 facilitates the mounting of beams 506 to beams 402. The outer diameter of each coupler 502 is slightly less than the inner diameter of beams 402 and 506, such that a single coupler 502 can be simultaneously inserted into both beams 402 and 506. Coupler 502 defines a first set of holes 508 and second set of holes 510. Holes 508 are spaced to align with a respective two slots 512 of beam 402 and holes 510 are spaced to align with a respective two slots 514 of beam 506. The coupling of coupler 502 to beam 402 includes partially inserting coupler 502 into beam 402 until holes 508 of coupler 502 align with slots 512 of beam 402. Once aligned, bolts (not shown) are disposed through both slots 512 and holes 508, then secured in place by a respective set of nuts (not shown). Likewise, the coupling of beam 506 to the opposite end of coupler 502 includes partially inserting coupler 502 into beam 506 until holes 510 of coupler 502 align with slots 514 of beam 506. Once aligned, bolts are disposed through both slots 514 and holes 510, then secured in place by respective nuts.
The assembly of platform 102 and canopy assembly 106 will now be described with reference to
Initially, intermediate structure 400 of frame 202 is assembled by positioning one of columns 206 into each of the four receivers 210 attached to intermediate structure 400, as illustrated in
With intermediate structure 400 assembled and leveled, both side structures 500 are added to the assembly and leveled as illustrated in
With frame 202 assembled and leveled, panels 200 are positioned therein as illustrated in
With platform 102 assembled, as illustrated in
With brackets 700 and 702 bolted to frame 202, frame tubes 704 are then mounted to brackets 700 and 702, as illustrated in
The description of particular embodiments of the present invention is now complete. Many of the described features may be substituted, altered or omitted without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, alternate leveling mechanisms (e.g., scissor lifting legs, screw lifts, etc.), may be substituted for legs 204. As another example, alternate sheet material (e.g., screen material, opaque plastic sheet material, etc.) may be substituted for cover 108. As yet another option, each bottom foot of the exercise structure can be oriented perpendicular to the support beams of the platform and be extended to be supported by at least two support beams of the platform. These and other deviations from the particular embodiments shown will be apparent to those skilled in the art, particularly in view of the foregoing disclosure.
This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/024,404, filed on May 13, 2020 by the same inventors, and also claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/029,905, filed on May 26, 2020 and having at least one common inventor. Both prior applications are incorporated herein by reference in their respective entirety.
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