Patent Application
20200030652
The present invention relates generally to gymnastics exercise devices and, more particularly, to a parallettes apparatus that is portable and configured to allow an athlete to exercise even when remote from a traditional gymnastics training facility.
Students and participants in gymnastics and dance often exercise using parallel bars that enable the execution of handstands, pirouettes, and the like. Devices having a pair of parallel bars for carrying out these exercises are typically found in a gym or training facility due to their size and expense. However, the sports of gymnastics and dance are becoming mobile and students have a desire to train around the clock and while offsite, such as while at home. The young ages of many of these athletes make it even more desirable to be able to train at home, while on vacation, or really anytime and anywhere.
Therefore, it would be desirable to have a parallettes apparatus that is portable and can be transported easily in a sports bag, back pack, luggage, or even in the packaging from which the apparatus is purchased. Further, it would be desirable to have a parallettes apparatus that is modular—having a first base member, a second base member, and a bar removably extending between respective base members.
A parallette apparatus according to the present invention includes a first base member having a plurality of first walls that form a rectangular tubular configuration and that collectively define a first interior area. Similarly, the parallette apparatus includes a second base member having a plurality of second walls that form, collectively, a rectangular tubular configuration and that collectively define a second interior area. A bar includes a linear and elongate configuration and has a bar first end removably coupled to a first top wall of said first base member and a bar second end removably coupled to a second top wall of said second base member. The bar includes a body section displaced from said bar first end and displaced from said bar second end, said body section having a cylindrical shape configuration.
Therefore, a general object of this invention is to provide a parallettes apparatus that is portable and configured to allow an athlete to exercise even when remote from a traditional gymnastics training facility.
Another object of this invention is to provide a parallettes apparatus that is modular and includes a pair of base members and a bar extending therebetween that may be separated for being stowed or transported in a small amount of space and then reassembled quickly for use.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, embodiments of this invention.
A portable parallettes apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to
More particularly, a first base member 20 includes a plurality of first walls arranged in the form of a rectangular and tubular housing that is hollow, such as a square tube, or sometimes referred to square metal tubing. More particularly, the first base member 20 may include a first bottom wall 21 and a first top wall 22 opposite and parallel to the first bottom wall 21 and that includes a first inside wall 23 and a first outside wall 24 opposed to the first inside wall 23. The first inside wall 23 and first outside wall 24 extend between the first top wall 22 and the first bottom wall 21, respectively. Further, the first base member 20 defines opposed open ends through which the hollow or first interior area is accessed. For clarity, the open ends of the first base member may be referred to as first and second open ends. Having an identical construction, the second base member 25 may include a second bottom wall 26 and a second top wall 27 opposite and parallel to the second bottom wall 26 and that includes a second inside wall 28 and a second outside wall 29 opposed to the second inside wall 28. The second inside wall 28 and second outside wall 29 extend between the second top wall 27 and the second bottom wall 26, respectively. Further, the second base member 25 defines opposed open ends through which the hollow or second interior area is accessed. For clarity, the open ends of the second base members may be referred to as third and fourth open ends. As will be discussed later, the inner surface of each base member and a respective open end has a configuration complementary to and operable to receive a respective bar member 40 therein for transport and storage.
Atop each base member is a nesting portion configured to receive a respective end of the bar member 40 as will be described below in more detail. More particularly, a first nesting portion 30 is situated atop the first base member 20 and may be constructed and attached or may have an integrated or singular construction with the first base member 20. The first nesting portion 30 may include three upstanding walls that, together, define an open side that allows and guides the first end 41 of the bar member 40 into an open space of the first nesting portion 30 (
The base members 20, 25 may be a molded plastic hollow square tube with a molded PPR rubber material applied to the bottom which forms an anti-slip surface. Each anti-slip surface may be referred to as a first anti-slip layer 38 and a second anti-slip layer 39,
The bar member 40 includes a first end 41 and a second end 46 and has a linear and elongate configuration. Later, the first end 41 and second end 46 may be referred to as the bar first end and bar second end for clarity. Further, the bar member 40 includes a body section 39 extending between respective ends thereof and having a cylindrical or tubular configuration. The first and second ends of the bar member 40 include a first locking assembly 42 and a second locking assembly 47, respectively, that, in cooperation with the first and second nesting portions 30, 34, respectively, operate to allow respective bar member 40 ends to rest upon and engage the first nesting portion 30 and second nesting portion 34, respectively. First, the first locking assembly 42 includes a first flattened wall 43 (i.e. a planar wall and also referred to merely as a first flattened section). Further, the first locking assembly 42 includes a pair of side walls 44 (also referred to as opposed first side walls) adjacent and perpendicular to the first flattened wall 43. As shown in
In a construction identical or substantially similar to the first locking assembly 42, the second locking assembly 47 includes a second flattened wall 48 (i.e. a planar wall and also referred to merely as a second flattened section). Further, the second locking assembly 47 includes a pair of second side walls 52 (also referred to as opposed second side walls) adjacent and perpendicular to the second flattened wall 48. In an embodiment, the second locking assembly 47 may include a plurality of second nubs 49 spaced apart and mounted or integral along the edges of the second flattened wall 48, the second nubs 49 enhancing the friction and grip when the second flattened wall 48 is slidably moved into or upon the second nesting portion 34 and also when inserted into the second interior area as will be described later.
Still further, the first end 41 of the bar member 40 includes a first rod section 50 coupled to or in singular construction with the first locking assembly 42 and having a hemispherical configuration (i.e. half of a rod or cylindrical configuration) Likewise, the second end 46 of the bar member 40 includes a second rod section 51 coupled to or in singular construction with the first locking assembly 42 and having a hemispherical configuration (i.e. half of a rod or cylindrical configuration).
It will be understood the open ends of the first base member 20 and the inner surfaces of the walls that form the rectangular or tube-shaped first base member 20 are configured so as to receive the first end of the bar member 40 into the first interior area. Likewise, the open ends of the second base member 25 and the inner surfaces of the walls that form the rectangular or tube-shaped second base member 25 are configured so as to receive the second end of the bar member 40 into the second interior area.
In another aspect, each base member includes a pair of oppositely disposed shelves mounted to inner surfaces of respective opposed side walls and are configured to engage respective offset or recessed side walls of a respective locking assembly of a respective end of the bar member 40 when the bar member 40 is inserted into a respective base member 20, 25. More particularly, the first base member 20 includes a pair of first shelves 18 mounted to inner surfaces of the first inside wall 23 and first outside wall 24, respectively, of the first base member 20, each shelf having a linear and elongate configuration and positioned to mate or nest with the pair of recessed side walls 44 of the first locking assembly 42 when the bar member 40 is inserted into the first interior area of the first base member 20. Likewise, the second base member 25 has a pair of second shelves which, while not shown specifically, have a construction that is identical to the pair of first shelves 18 shown and described herein. Therefore, The bar member 40 can be inserted and covered up for transportation. One half of the bar member 40 is housed in a first base member 20 and the other half will be housed in the second base member 25.
In an embodiment, the bar member is 1.5″ in diameter with both ends having the opposite cutout as the top of the base members. This will allow the end of the bar to slide into a nesting portion on the top of a respective base member. This end has bumps or nubs within the end member to help give a pressure fit so as to keep the bar members from sliding freely out of a respective base member. With a base member 20, 25 attached to both ends of the bar member 40, it creates a parallette apparatus 10 which is used in many fitness exercises.
It is understood that while certain forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims and allowable functional equivalents thereof.
This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application U.S. Ser. No. 62/702,606 filed Jul. 24, 2018 titled Portable Parallettes and which is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62702606 | Jul 2018 | US |
