The present invention relates generally to landmine workout brackets. More particularly, the present invention relates to a landmine style workout apparatus and system thereof.
Typical landmine workout systems include a bracket which may be coupled to vertical support of a workout rig or which can be attached to a ground surface. The bracket is configured to receive an end of a barbell opposite its attachment point and is capable of enabling pivotal movement, both vertically and horizontally, of an end of the barbell positioned distally from the bracket. As typical landmine systems are configured to be mounted to vertical supports of a rig or directly to a ground surface, they lack certain storage features for attachments and weights that are helpful for keeping weights and attachments handy while also keeping the gym space organized and clean. The attachments are helpful for performing various workouts using the landmine system and should be kept with the landmine equipment as they are specifically designed for landmine workout movements.
As landmine workout systems are typically configured to receive a cylindrical barbell, which do not have attachment points along their length. The lack of attachment points along the length of a barbell may limit the types of attachments which are compatible with the barbell to those that can slide over the end of the barbell before or after the weight is received on the end of the barbell. This is a short coming of landmine systems that require the use of a barbell.
Certain workout movements that are performed with a landmine workout system begin at shoulder height. Because the barbell begins on the ground, the loaded barbell must be picked up off the ground and lifted to a shoulder position before beginning a given movement. This can be difficult and have associated safety issues when performing extremely heavy movements. The also limits the potential users of the landmine system to those who have use of their legs because the barbell must always be picked up from the ground and moved to the shoulder position before beginning a movement.
A user's foot placement while performing workout movements using a landmine workout system can be extremely important, not only in terms of movement form and safety, but also in terms of gains, consistency and repeatability. The effects of a user's poor foot placement may be amplified when performing complex movements with the landmine workout system which require a starting foot position and an ending foot position for each repetition of the movement. When teaching user to perform new complex movements with a landmine system, trainers may draw starting lines and finishing lines on the floor using caulk so as to be a visual teaching queue. Alternatively, trainers may use tape to create said markings. There are obvious consistency and repeatability issues with manually drawing or sticking tape to the ground surface for each new user. These can create inconsistencies between workouts on different days, as an extra step in getting ready to perform a workout and adds an additional step when cleaning up after your workout, as the chalk or tape must be cleaned or removed.
Certain workout movements can benefit from the use of banded resistance. Resistance bands may add variety to a movement while also increasing stabilization and core activation benefits to the movement. Typical landmine workout systems are not designed for use with resistance bands as barbells do not include proper attachment points along their length for securely and properly coupling with resistance bands.
Accordingly, a need exists for an improved landmine workout system that addresses and solves the issues and problems associated with previous landmine workout systems, as outline above. It is one object of the invention to provide a training system (i.e., an improved landmine workout system) that is a stand-alone piece of workout equipment that includes storage features for holding weights and other various attachments for use with the system. In accordance with this aspect of the invention, the training system may include a workout bar with attachment points along its length. The attachment points allow for the various attachments to be coupled to the workout bar at various locations, thus enabling a user to attach the attachment to a proper location on the workout bar that is best suited for the particular user.
It is another object of the invention to provide floor markings that emanating from the bracket which can help users to better position their feet for performing various exercises to thereby decrease the risk of injury, improve movement form, and increase consistency and repeatability between workouts.
Another object of the invention is to provide at least one dock bracket configured to receive and hold the workout bar in an elevated position (e.g., similar to that of a racked position) so that workout movements that begin at the shoulder position may avoid the hassle of having to lift the workout bar of the ground before starting the movement. The dock bracket also allows for heavier weight to be lifted overhead that may have been constrained due to a user's limitations with lifting the workout bar off the ground to begin the movement.
A further aspect of the invention is an attachment bracket positioned long the workout bar for receiving at least one resistance band and at least one attachment bracket on the floor for attaching to the at least one resistance band. Preferably, the invention includes two attachment brackets, each positioned on opposite sides and equidistantly from the floor markings. These brackets and bands can help alter certain workouts, resistances, and increase core activation and stability. In accordance with the aspect, it is important that the floor brackets be minimized so as not to become a tripping hazard in the gym for other users walking by this training system.
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a training system comprising a pivotal bracket and a workout bar. The pivotal bracket may include a first portion and a second portion. The first portion may be pivotally coupled to the second portion. The first portion may be couplable to a support surface. The workout bar may be coupled to the second portion of the pivotal bracket. The workout bar may include a cylindrical weight receiving portion positioned distal relative to the second portion of the pivotal bracket and a rectangular intermediate portion positioned between the second portion of the pivotal bracket and the cylindrical weight receiving portion.
According to another aspect of the training system of the present disclosure, the second portion of the pivotal bracket may pivot omnidirectionally relative to the first portion of the pivotal bracket.
According to another aspect of the training system of the present disclosure, the pivotal bracket may further include a first pivot axis and a second pivot axis oriented perpendicular to the first pivot axis. The first pivot axis and the second pivot axis may be positioned between the first and second portions of the pivotal bracket. The first pivot axis and the second pivot axis may enable omnidirectional pivotal movement between the first and second portions of the pivotal bracket.
According to another aspect of the training system of the present disclosure, the workout bar may include a bar length and a square cross-sectional profile defined perpendicular to the bar length.
According to another aspect of the training system of the present disclosure, the workout bar may include a plurality of pairs of holes defined through opposite sides of the workout bar. The plurality of pairs of holes may be spaced apart along the bar length.
According to another aspect of the training system of the present disclosure, each pair of the plurality of pairs of holes may be aligned in a direction parallel to a horizontal axis of the pivotal bracket.
According to another aspect of the training system of the present disclosure, wherein the training system may further comprise an attachment member selectively couplable to at least one hole of the plurality of pairs of holes along the bar length.
According to another aspect of the training system of the present disclosure, the attachment member is a user engagement attachment. In accordance with this aspect, the user engagement attachment may include a rectangular channel, first and second handles spaced apart from opposite side walls of the rectangular channel, and an engagement pin extending through one of the opposite side walls of the rectangular channel. The engagement pin may be configured to releasably engage one of hole of the plurality of pairs of holes.
According to another aspect of the training system of the present disclosure, the attachment member is a band engagement attachment. In accordance with this aspect, the band engagement attachment may include a rectangular channel and a pair of hooks extending from opposite side walls of the rectangular channel.
According to another aspect of the training system of the present disclosure, wherein the training system may further comprise a pair of band anchors. Each of the pair of band anchors may include a housing couplable to one of the support surface or a ground surface and a retractable hook pivotally coupled within the housing. The pair of band anchors may be spaced apart from each other in a first direction and spaced apart from the pivotal bracket in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. In accordance with this aspect, at least one resistance band may be coupled between one of pair of band anchors and one hook of a pair of hook of a band engagement attachment coupled along the rectangular intermediate portion of the workout bar.
According to another aspect of the training system of the present disclosure, wherein the training system may further comprise a weight horn attachment selectively couplable to the rectangular intermediate portion of the workout bar. The weight horn attachment may include a rectangular channel and a pair of weight receivers extending from opposite side walls of the rectangular channel.
According to another aspect of the training system of the present disclosure, wherein the training system may further comprise a user engagement attachment couplable to the cylindrical weight receiving portion of the workout bar. The user engagement attachment may include at least one handle. In accordance with this aspect, the cylindrical weight receiving portion may include a hole defined closer to a free end of the cylindrical weight receiving portion than to the rectangular intermediate portion. Further in accordance with this aspect, the user engagement attachment may include an engagement pin configured to releasably engage the hole.
According to another aspect of the training system of the present disclosure, wherein the training system may further comprise a base station supported by a ground surface. In accordance with this aspect, the base station may comprise first and second base supports, a bracket support plate, a vertical support post, and at least one dock bracket. The first base support may be oriented perpendicularly to the second base support. The bracket support plate may extend from a free end of the first base support. The bracket support plate may define the support surface. The vertical support post may extend from the second base support. The at least one dock bracket may be coupled to the vertical support post. The at least one dock bracket may be configured to receive the rectangular intermediate portion of the workout bar and position the cylindrical weight receiving portion of the workout bar offset from the ground surface.
According to another aspect of the training system of the present disclosure, the workout bar may be angled relative to the ground surface at an angle of at least 25 degrees when received by the at least one dock bracket.
According to another aspect of the training system of the present disclosure, wherein the training system may further comprise a base station supported by a ground surface. In accordance with this aspect, the base station may comprise first and second base supports, a support plate, a vertical bracket post, a vertical support post, and at least one dock bracket. The first base support may be oriented perpendicularly to the second base support. The support plate may extend from a free end of the first base support. The vertical bracket post may extend from the support plate and include a plurality of points spaced along the vertical bracket post. The vertical bracket post may define the support surface. The vertical support post may extend from the second base support. The at least one dock bracket may be coupled to the vertical support post and may be configured to receive the rectangular intermediate portion of the workout bar and position the cylindrical weight receiving portion of the workout bar offset from the ground surface. In accordance with this aspect, the first portion of the pivotal bracket may be configured to be releasably coupled to one of the plurality of attachment points of the vertical bracket post.
According to another aspect of the training system of the present disclosure, wherein the training system may further comprise a base station supported by a ground surface. In accordance with this aspect, the base station may comprise a base plate, a rectangular vertical support post, and at least one dock bracket. The base plate may be couplable to the ground surface. The rectangular vertical support post may extend from the base plate and may include four side walls. One side wall of the four side walls may define the support surface. The at least one dock bracket may be coupled to a different side wall of the rectangular vertical support post and may be configured to receive the rectangular intermediate portion of the workout bar and position the cylindrical weight receiving portion of the workout bar offset from the ground surface.
According to another aspect of the training system of the present disclosure, wherein the training system may further comprise a base station supported by a ground surface. In accordance with this aspect, the base station may comprise a base plate, a rectangular vertical support post, and a storage bracket. The base plate may be couplable to the ground surface. The rectangular vertical support post may extend from the base plate and may include four side walls. One side wall of the four side walls may define the support surface. The storage bracket may be coupled to the rectangular vertical support post above the pivotal bracket and may include a rectangular channel and an engagement pin extending through one side wall of a pair of opposite side walls of the rectangular channel. In accordance with this aspect, the engagement pin may be configured to releasably engage one of hole of a plurality of pairs of holes defined along the rectangular intermediate portion of the weight bar.
According to another aspect of the training system of the present disclosure, the support surface may be a wall surface.
According to another aspect of the training system of the present disclosure, wherein the training system may further comprise a storage bracket coupled to the support surface above the pivotal bracket. The storage bracket may include a rectangular channel and an engagement pin extending through one side wall of a pair of opposite side walls of the rectangular channel. In accordance with this aspect, the engagement pin may be configured to releasably engage one hole of a plurality of pairs of holes defined along the rectangular intermediate portion of the weight bar.
According to another aspect of the training system of the present disclosure, the support surface may be defined by a workout rig including a plurality of holes defined therein. In accordance with this aspect, the first portion of the pivotal bracket may include a rig mount may be configured to engage one hole of the plurality of holes for the workout bar for pivotally coupling the workout bar to the workout rig.
Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present disclosure, one or more drawings of which are set forth herein. Each drawing is provided by way of explanation of the present disclosure and is not a limitation. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment.
Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Other objects, features, and aspects of the present disclosure are disclosed in, or are obvious from, the following detailed description. It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present discussion is a description of exemplary embodiments only and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the present disclosure.
The words “connected”, “attached”, “joined”, “mounted”, “fastened”, and the like should be interpreted to mean any manner of joining two objects including, but not limited to, the use of any fasteners such as screws, nuts and bolts, bolts, pin and clevis, and the like allowing for a stationary, translatable, or pivotable relationship; welding of any kind such as traditional MIG welding, TIG welding, friction welding, brazing, soldering, ultrasonic welding, torch welding, inductive welding, and the like; using any resin, glue, epoxy, and the like; being integrally formed as a single part together; any mechanical fit such as a friction fit, interference fit, slidable fit, rotatable fit, pivotable fit, and the like; any combination thereof; and the like.
Unless specifically stated otherwise, any part of the apparatus of the present disclosure may be made of any appropriate or suitable material including, but not limited to, metal, alloy, polymer, polymer mixture, wood, composite, or any combination thereof.
Referring to
The workout bar 120 including a a cylindrical bar end portion 124 positioned distal relative to the landmine bracket 122 and a rectangular intermediate portion 123 positioned between the landmine bracket 122 and the cylindrical bar end portion 124. The cylindrical bar end portion 124 is configured to receive typical weight plates 102 found at most gyms. Accordingly, the cylindrical bar end portion 124 has a diameter that is less than or equal to two inches. As can best be seen in
The landmine bracket 122 may include a first portion 125 and a second portion 127. The first portion 125 is configured to be pivotally coupled to the second portion 127. The first portion 125 is couplable to a support surface 108. As shown in
As illustrated in
In further embodiments, as can best be seen in
In other embodiments, having similarities to the one described directly above and illustrated in
In still further embodiments, as can best be seen in
The first base support 114 includes at least a first vertical post 130 and a second vertical 132 coupled thereto and extending vertically therefrom. The first and second vertical posts 130, 132 may be positioned between the connection point 118 and the free end of the first base support 114 where the landmine bracket 122 is located. The first vertical post 130 may be positioned closer to the landmine bracket 122 than to the connection point 118 of the first base support 114. The second vertical post 132 may be positioned closer to the connection point 118 than to the landmine bracket 122. The first vertical post 130 may have square cross-sectional profile matching that of the workout bar 120. The first vertical post 130 may further include a pair of horizonal cylindrical pipes 134 extending from opposite sides thereof. The pair of horizonal cylindrical pipes 134 are positioned parallel to the first base support 114 and may be coupled closer to the first base support 114 than to a free end of the first vertical post 130. The pair of horizonal cylindrical pipes 134 may be configured to receive a battle rope (not shown) for performing various rope exercises. The second vertical post 132 may include a cylindrical cross-sectional profile matching that of the cylindrical barbell end portion 122. In other embodiments (not shown), the positioning of the first and second vertical posts 130, 132 may be switched.
Alternatively, and as can best be seen in
As can best be seen in
The second base support 116 includes a main vertical support post 140 extending vertically therefrom and coupled closer to a free end of the second base support than to the connection point 118 of the second base support 116. Alternatively, the main vertical support post 140 may be coupled proximate to the free end of the second base support 116. The main vertical support post 140 further includes a low dock bracket 142 and high dock bracket 144. The low dock bracket 142 and the high docket bracket 144 may be referred to herein as at least one docket bracket. The low and high dock brackets 142, 144 extend from the main vertical support post 140 in directions similar to that of the first base support 114. As can best be seen in
The workout bar may be angled relative to the ground surface 104 at an angle 149 of at least 25 degrees when received by either the low dock bracket 142 or the high dock bracket 144.
The second base support 116 may further include a diagonal support 150 coupled between the connection point 118 and the main vertical support post 140 at a location below the low and high dock brackets 142, 144. In other embodiments (not shown), the diagonal support 150 may be coupled to the main vertical support post 140 between or above the low and high dock brackets 142, 144. The diagonal support 150 is configured to strengthen and support the main vertical support post 140 and may be especially important when the workout bar 120 is supported by one of the low or high dock brackets 142, 144. The diagonal support 150 may include a plurality of cylindrical pipes 152 extending perpendicularly from opposite sides of the diagonal support 150. The plurality of cylindrical pipes 152 may be configured to receive and store the weight plates 102 when not in use.
The training system 100 may further include a plurality of workout attachment members 160. The plurality of attachment members 160 may include at least one square bar handle attachment 162 (shown in
The at least one square bar handle attachment 162 may be coupled at any point along the length of the workout bar 120 using at least one hole of the plurality of pairs of holes 126 of the workout bar 120. The profile of the workout bar 120 and the plurality of holes allow the at least one square bar handle attachment 162 to be securely attached to the workout bar 120 while performing various movements. The at least one square bar handle attachment 162 may be stored on the first vertical post 130 and may be coupled to a hole of the first vertical post 130 for secure, neat and organized storage thereof. As illustrated in
The at least one cylindrical barbell end portion handle attachment 164 is configured to be slid over an end of the cylindrical bar end portion 124 and securely attached thereto. The at least one cylindrical barbell end portion handle attachment 164 may also be referred to herein as a user engagement attachment. The at least one cylindrical barbell end portion handle attachment 164 includes at least one handle 350. The at least one cylindrical barbell end portion handle attachment 164 may be securely attached to the cylindrical bar end portion 124 using a screw like tightening bracket 352 (shown in
The training system 100 may further include floor markings 170 configured to help a user position their feet for performing various exercises. The floor markings 170 may include a main line 172 emanating from landmine bracket 122. The main line 172 may include a plurality of hash marks spaced along a length of the main line 172 for helping to orient a user's feet while performing different exercise movements. The floor markings 170 may further include an arc 176 surrounding the landmine bracket 122 and intersecting the main line 172. Finally, the floor markings 170 may include a low dock line 178 and a high dock line 180 each emanating from the arc 176 and aligned between the landmine bracket 122 and one of the low dock bracket 142 or the high dock bracket 144, respectively.
The main line 172 may be slightly angled toward the second base support 116 for minimizing a footprint of the training apparatus 110 when in use. As can best be seen in
The floor markings 170 may be applied to a ground surface 104 such as a decal, sticker, or the like. In other embodiments, the floor markings 170 may be applied to the floor using paint and stencil (not shown). The floor markings 170 need to be durable and securely attached to the floor so as not to be easily removed or torn by a person's shoes scuffing up against them. The floor markings 170 may be extremely useful for users performing various movements in which their feet move between starting and ending positions, such as a push jerk. The floor markings 170 help the user orient their feet, move their feet and then reorient their feet simply and easily so as to add consistency and repeatability to the workout movement.
The training system 100 may further include at least one resistance band and at least one floor anchor. As illustrated, the training system 100 includes a pair of resistance bands 190 and a pair of floor anchors 210. The pair of floor anchors 210 may also be referred to as a pair of band anchors. The pair of resistance bands 190 may be coupled between the workout bar 120 and respective floor anchors of the pair of floor anchors 210. Each resistance band of the pair of resistance bands 190 may be coupled to one hook of a pair of hooks 192 of the workout bar 120 which extending from opposite sides of the workout bar 120. Alternatively, and as can best be seen in
In other embodiments, training system 100 may include a pair of floor anchors 220. When installed the pair of floor anchors 220 may be spaced apart similar to the pair of floor anchoes 210. As can best be seen in
As can best be seen in
In other embodiments, as can best be seen in
The simplified training apparatus 240 may include a landmine bracket 260 (substantially similar to the landmine bracket 122) coupled to the front surface 250 of the generally square support post 244 proximate to the square base plate 242. More generally, the support surface may be defined by one of the four side walls of the generally square support post 244. The landmine bracket 260 includes a cylindrical receptacle 262 configured to receive an end of a workout bar 264. The cylindrical receptacle 262 of the landmine bracket 260 is pivotally attached to the generally square support post 244 and is configured to pivot both vertically and horizontally relative to the generally square support post 244. In other embodiments (not shown), the simplified training apparatus 240 may include the workout bar 120 of the training apparatus 110. In accordance with said embodiment, the workout bar 120 and the cylindrical receptable 262 could be easily switched out so as to allow greater functionality of both the training apparatus 110 and the simplified training apparatus 240.
The left surface 252 of the generally square support post 244 may include a dock bracket 270 extending therefrom. The dock bracket 270 may extend from the left surface 252 such that it also extends beyond the front surface 250. As can best be seen in
The right surface 254 of the generally square support post 244 may include a barbell storage bracket 280 and a handle 282 coupled thereto. The barbell storage bracket 280 may be coupled to the right surface 254 proximate to the square base plate 242. The handle 282 maybe coupled to the right surface 254 distally from the square base plate 242. The barbell storage bracket 280 may be coupled to the right surface 254 of the generally square support post such that a battle rope or the like (not shown) may be attached thereto. The barbell storage bracket 280 may be oriented vertically and parallel to a height of the generally square support post and include an open cylindrical receiver configured to receive and end of the workout bar 264.
The rear surface 256 of the generally square support post 244 may include a plurality of cylindrical pipes 290 extending therefrom. Each pipe of the plurality of cylindrical pipes 290 is configured to receive and store the weight plates 102.
The generally square support post 244 may include an upper surface 310 with a cylindrical pipe 312 extending vertically therefrom. The cylindrical pipe 312 and the plurality of a cylindrical pipes 290 include a profile and size similar to that, if not smaller, than that of an end of the workout bar 264 which is configured to receive the weight plates 102. The cylindrical pipe 312 is configured to receive a handle attachment 314 for storing the handle attachment when it is not in use. The handle attachment 314 may be similar to or identical to one of the plurality of workout attachment members 160.
Both the training apparatus 110 and the simplified training apparatus 240 are configured as stand-alone landmine workout apparatuses which include weight plate storage features and docking bracket features. Although not shown, the simplified training apparatus 240 may be compatible with many of the elements of the training system 100 such as the floor markings 170, the pairs of floor anchors 210, 240, and the pair of resistance bands 190.
To facilitate the understanding of the embodiments described herein, a number of terms have been defined above. The terms defined herein have meanings as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the areas relevant to the present invention. Terms such as “a,” “an,” and “the” are not intended to refer to only a singular entity, but rather include the general class of which a specific example may be used for illustration. The terminology herein is used to describe specific embodiments of the invention, but their usage does not delimit the invention, except as set forth in the claims. The phrase “in one embodiment,” as used herein does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may.
Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, “can,” “might,” “may,” “e.g.,” and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or states. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or states are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without author input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or states are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.
The previous detailed description has been provided for the purposes of illustration and description. Thus, although there have been described particular embodiments of a new and useful TRAINING SYSTEM, it is not intended that such references be construed as limitations upon the scope of this disclosure except as set forth in the following claims.
This application claims benefit of the following patent application which is hereby incorporated by reference: U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/939,502 filed Nov. 22, 2019, entitled “Training System and Apparatus.” A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the reproduction of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
4323236 | Szabo | Apr 1982 | A |
4344619 | Szabo | Aug 1982 | A |
4502681 | Blomqvist | Mar 1985 | A |
4923195 | Calderone | May 1990 | A |
5244444 | Wostry | Sep 1993 | A |
5358462 | Calderone | Oct 1994 | A |
5487712 | Kann | Jan 1996 | A |
9289646 | Tully | Mar 2016 | B2 |
20050148445 | Carle | Jul 2005 | A1 |
20070155595 | Rogers | Jul 2007 | A1 |
20160008653 | Dipasquale | Jan 2016 | A1 |
20170087400 | Chen | Mar 2017 | A1 |
20170087402 | Chen | Mar 2017 | A1 |
20180255885 | Sarazen | Sep 2018 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
62939502 | Nov 2019 | US |