U.S. patent application number 10/841759 was filed with the patent office on 2005-11-10 for doorway mounted exercise apparatus.
Invention is credited to Congdon, Jonathan, Daikeler, Carl, Edwards, Steve, Horton, Tony, Miller, Leigh.
Application Number | 20050250619 10/841759 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35240133 |
Filed Date | 2005-11-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050250619 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Daikeler, Carl ; et
al. |
November 10, 2005 |
Doorway mounted exercise apparatus
Abstract
An exercise apparatus that is to be mounted in a doorway and
held in position by the user's own body weight during use. In one
aspect the invention comprises: first and second L-shaped members
disposed in side-by-side relation, each having a horizontal section
and a vertical section; a first member having a length less than a
width of the doorway and connected to the vertical sections of the
first and second L-shaped members; a second member having a length
greater than the width of the doorway and connected to the
horizontal sections of the first and second L-shaped members at a
first horizontal distance from the first member; a first gripping
bar connected to the horizontal section of the first L-shaped
member at a second horizontal distance from the first member, the
second horizontal distance being greater than the first horizontal
distance; and a second gripping bar connected to the horizontal
section of the second L-shaped member at approximately the second
horizontal distance.
Inventors: |
Daikeler, Carl; (Malibu,
CA) ; Congdon, Jonathan; (Pacific Palisades, CA)
; Edwards, Steve; (Culver City, CA) ; Miller,
Leigh; (Los Angeles, CA) ; Horton, Tony;
(Santa Monica, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
COZEN O'CONNOR, P.C.
1900 MARKET STREET
PHILADELPHIA
PA
19103-3508
US
|
Family ID: |
35240133 |
Appl. No.: |
10/841759 |
Filed: |
May 7, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/40 ;
482/37 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/1645 20130101;
A63B 21/1636 20130101; A63B 23/1218 20130101; A63B 1/00
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/040 ;
482/037 |
International
Class: |
A63B 007/04; A63B
009/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An exercise apparatus for use in a doorway through a wall, the
exercise apparatus comprising: first and second L-shaped members
disposed in side-by-side relation, each of the first and second
L-shaped members having a horizontal section and a vertical
section; a first member having a length less than a width of the
doorway and connected to the vertical sections of the first and
second L-shaped members; a second member having a length greater
than the width of the doorway and connected to the horizontal
sections of the first and second L-shaped members at a first
horizontal distance from the first member; a first gripping bar
connected to the horizontal section of the first L-shaped member at
a second horizontal distance from the first member, the second
horizontal distance being greater than the first horizontal
distance; and a second gripping bar connected to the horizontal
section of the second L-shaped member at approximately the second
horizontal distance.
2. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first member is
substantially parallel to the second member.
3. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first member
comprises a substantially planar surface.
4. The exercise apparatus of claim 3 further comprising a friction
strip on the substantially planar surface for increasing a
coefficient of friction between the wall and the first member.
5. The exercise apparatus of claim 4 wherein the friction strip is
comprises hard rubber or soft rubber.
6. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein the horizontal section
of each of the first and second L-shaped members comprises a
U-shaped portion.
7. The exercise apparatus of claim 6 wherein the second member
connects to both legs of each U-shaped portion of the first and
second L-shaped members.
8. The exercise apparatus of claim 7 wherein the first gripping bar
connects to both legs of the U-shaped portion of the first L-shaped
member and the second gripping bar connects to both legs of the
U-shaped portion of the second L-shaped member.
9. The exercise apparatus of claim 6 further comprising a hand grip
on each leg of each U-shaped portion of the first and second
L-shaped members.
10. The exercise apparatus of claim 9 wherein the hand grips are
made of foam.
11. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first gripping
bar and second gripping bar comprise a horizontal section and a
section that is vertically angled downward.
12. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second member has
a circular cross sectional profile.
13. The exercise apparatus of claim 12 further comprising a
plurality of hand grips on the second member.
14. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 comprising friction sleeves
covering ends of the second member for increasing a coefficient of
friction between the wall and the second member.
15. The exercise apparatus of claim 14 wherein the friction sleeves
are made of hard or soft rubber.
16. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a hand
grip on each of the first and second gripping bars.
17. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second member,
the first gripping bar, and the second gripping bar are connected
atop the horizontal sections of the first and second L-shaped
members.
18. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first horizontal
distance is at least greater than a thickness of the wall.
19. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: the first
member having a substantially planar surface; a friction strip on
the substantially planar surface of the first member for increasing
a coefficient of friction between the wall and the first member;
the horizontal sections of each of the first and second L-shaped
members having a U-shaped portion; the second member connecting to
both legs of each U-shaped portion of the first and second L-shaped
members; the first gripping bar connecting to both legs of the
U-shaped portion of the first L-shaped member and the second
gripping bar connects to both legs of the U-shaped portion of the
second L-shaped member; the first gripping bar and second gripping
bar each comprising a horizontal section and a section that is
vertically angled downward; the second member having a circular
cross sectional profile and ends; friction sleeves covering the
ends of the second member for increasing a coefficient of friction
between the wall and the second member; hand grips on each leg of
the U-shaped portions, on the second member; and on each of the
first and second gripping bars; the second member, the first
gripping bar, and the second gripping bar being atop the horizontal
sections of the first and second L-shaped members; and the first
horizontal distance being at least greater than a thickness of the
wall
20. An exercise system comprising: a wall having a first surface
and an opposing surface forming a thickness; a doorway extending
through the thickness of the wall from the one surface to the
opposing surface, the doorway having a width, sides, and a top; a
first member having a length less than the width of the doorway and
in contact with the top of the doorway on the first surface of the
wall; first and second L-shaped members disposed in side-by-side
relation, each of the first and second L-shaped members having a
horizontal section and a vertical section, the first member
connected to the vertical sections of the first and second L-shaped
members so that the horizontal sections extend through the doorway;
a second member having a length greater than the width of the
doorway, the second member connected to the horizontal sections of
the first and second L-shaped members so that the second member is
in contact with the sides of the doorway on the opposing surface of
the wall; a first gripping bar connected to the horizontal section
of the first L-shaped member at a horizontal distance away from the
opposing surface of the wall; and a second gripping bar connected
to the horizontal section of the second L-shaped member at
substantially the horizontal distance.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to exercise
apparatus and equipment, and specifically to exercise equipment
that is mounted in a doorway for performing chin-ups.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] As society continues to realize the importance of daily
exercise in order to remain healthy, the need for improved and
widely accessible exercise equipment continues to grow. Because of
the large number of muscles (and different muscle groups) that are
worked in performing chin-ups, chin-ups have long been realized as
a valuable exercise in maintaining and developing muscle strength,
reducing body fat, and shaping the body. However, performing
chin-ups often requires sizable exercise structures that take up a
significant amount of space. Most gyms and fitness clubs provide
free-standing exercise structures having the necessary bar(s) from
which a user can hang to perform the desired exercise.
[0003] However, because people live such busy lifestyles, many
people do not have the time or can not afford to attend gyms or
fitness clubs on a regular basis. Thus, a need exists for exercise
equipment that allows a user to perform chin-ups in the convenience
of their own home that is compact, easy to use, and cost
efficient.
[0004] While exercise apparatus have been developed to afford
user's the ability to perform chin-ups in the home, existing
apparatus are less than optimal in that they are difficult to
install, bulky, expensive to manufacture, or do not afford user
flexibility in gripping positions which prohibits concentrating on
specific muscles. One such existing device is disclosed in U.S.
Pat. No. 3,915,452, Winblad. However, the exercise device of
Winblad suffers from a number of the aforementioned deficiencies.
Specifically, because the first and second horizontal members of
the Winblad device are equal in size, the first horizontal member
that contacts the rear surface of the wall above the doorway is at
least greater than the width of the doorway. This results in the
Winblad device being difficult for a user to install in a doorway
for use. Additionally, because the chinning bar of the Winblad
device extends between the L-shaped members, the length of the
chinning bar is limited to a length less than the width of the
doorway, prohibiting user's from varying their gripping position to
a wide grip so that pull-ups can be performed comfortably.
Additionally, the Winblad device is bulky and can be
difficult/expensive to manufacture.
[0005] Another existing exercise device for performing chin-ups in
the home is disclosed in U.S. Design Pat. No. 348,706, Harrell.
However, the design of the Harrell device is less than optimal in
that it limits a user in his/her choice of gripping positions and
width of grip. Because the chining bar of the Harrell device is the
same horizontal member that contacts the sides of the door frame
for support, the user is limited to a gripping position that is
less than the width of the doorway and within the L-shaped members.
Moreover, using the horizontal member as the chinning bar also
forces the user to be very close to the planar surface of the wall
and to hang within the doorway itself during use. This prohibits
the user from performing a natural chin-up motion because the
surface of the wall above the doorway can obstruct the user's
natural motion.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention is to
provide an exercise apparatus that allows a user to exercise in
their home.
[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
exercise apparatus that allows a user to perform chin-ups.
[0008] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an
exercise apparatus that allows a user to perform chin-ups that is
easy to install in a doorway.
[0009] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
an exercise apparatus that allows a user to perform chin-ups using
a variety of gripping positions.
[0010] A still further object of the present invention is to
provide an exercise apparatus that allows a user to perform
chin-ups that is easy and/or cost effective to manufacture.
[0011] A further object of the present invention is to provide an
exercise apparatus that allows a user to perform chin-ups in a
doorway of home without the chin-up motion being obstructed by the
door frame or wall.
[0012] These and other objects are met by the present invention
which in one aspect is an exercise apparatus for use in a doorway,
the exercise apparatus comprising: first and second L-shaped
members disposed in side-by-side relation, each of the first and
second L-shaped members having a horizontal section and a vertical
section; a first member having a length less than a width of the
doorway and connected to the vertical sections of the first and
second L-shaped members; a second member having a length greater
than the width of the doorway and connected to the horizontal
sections of the first and second L-shaped members a first
horizontal distance from the first member; a first gripping bar
connected to the horizontal section of the first L-shaped member at
a second horizontal distance from the first member, the second
horizontal distance being greater than the first horizontal
distance; and a second gripping bar connected to the horizontal
section of the second L-shaped member at approximately the second
horizontal distance. For ease of installation in a doorway, the
first horizontal distance is preferably at least greater than a
thickness of the wall through which the doorway passes.
[0013] When being installed in a doorway for use, the user
positions the exercise apparatus so that the first member of the
exercise apparatus passes through the doorway and contacts the
opposite side of the wall above the doorway. The vertical sections
of the L-shaped members are connected to the first member and
extend downward therefrom so that the horizontal sections extend
through the doorway so that the second member and the first and
second gripping bars are on the side of the doorway where the user
is located. The exercise apparatus is rotated, keeping the first
member in contact with the opposing side of the wall above the
doorway until the second member contacts the sides of the doorway
(or the wall forming the doorway) on the same side of the wall
where the user is located. Because the first and second gripping
bars are located on the horizontal sections of the L-shaped member
at a greater horizontal distance from the first member than is the
second member, the first and second gripping bars are spaced apart
from the wall and the plane of the doorway. The user can then hold
the gripping bars and hang therefrom. The downward force exerted on
the gripping bars by the user's weight causes a moment to be
exerted, causing the second member to be pressed against the sides
of the doorway and the first member to be pressed against the
opposing surface of the wall atop of the doorway. Thus, the user's
own weight holds the exercise apparatus securely in place in the
doorway.
[0014] It is preferred that the first member be substantially
parallel to the second member and comprise a substantially planar
surface. A friction strip can be placed on the substantially planar
surface for increasing the coefficient of friction that is formed
between the opposing surface of the wall above the doorway and the
first member. The friction strip can be made of hard rubber or soft
rubber.
[0015] The horizontal section of each of the first and second
L-shaped members preferably comprises a U-shaped portion. In this
embodiment, the second member will be positioned atop and secured
to both legs of each U-shaped portion of the first and second
L-shaped members. This results in a total of four connection
points. It is also preferred that the first gripping bar be
connected to both legs of the U-shaped portion of the first
L-shaped member and that the second gripping bar be connected to
both legs of the U-shaped portion of the second L-shaped member.
Connecting each of the first and second gripping bars at two
positions on the U-shaped portions provides structural integrity
and stability. A hand grip can be provided on each leg of the two
U-shaped portions. This affords a variety of gripping positions and
widths for the user.
[0016] The first gripping bar and second gripping bar can be angled
in shape so that each comprises a horizontal section and a section
that is vertically angled downward. A hand grip can be provided on
each of the first and second gripping bars, preferably on the
sections that are vertically angled downward. All hand grips can be
made of foam or other suitable material for gripping.
[0017] The second member preferably has a circular cross sectional
profile and a plurality of hand grips located thereon so that the
user can grip the second bar if he/she so pleases. Friction sleeves
can be provided on the ends of the second member for increasing a
coefficient of friction between the wall and the second member.
These friction sleeves can be made of hard or soft rubber.
[0018] In another aspect, the invention is an exercise system
comprising: a wall having a first surface and an opposing surface
forming a thickness; a doorway extending through the thickness of
the wall from the one surface to the opposing surface, the doorway
having a width, sides, and a top; a first member having a length
less than the width of the doorway and in contact with the top of
the doorway on the first surface of the wall; first and second
L-shaped members disposed in side-by-side relation, each of the
first and second L-shaped members having a horizontal section and a
vertical section, the first member connected to the vertical
sections of the first and second L-shaped members so that the
horizontal sections extend through the doorway; a second member
having a length greater than the width of the doorway, the second
member connected to the horizontal sections of the first and second
L-shaped members so that the second member is in contact with the
sides of the doorway on the opposing surface of the wall; a first
gripping bar connected to the horizontal section of the first
L-shaped member at a horizontal distance away from the opposing
surface of the wall; and a second gripping bar connected to the
horizontal section of the second L-shaped member at substantially
the horizontal distance.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exercise apparatus
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a top view of the exercise apparatus of FIG.
1.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the exercise apparatus of FIG.
1.
[0022] FIG. 4 is a left side view of the exercise apparatus of FIG.
1.
[0023] FIG. 5 is a right side view of the exercise apparatus of
FIG. 1.
[0024] FIG. 6 is a rear view of the of the exercise apparatus of
FIG. 1.
[0025] FIG. 7 is a top view of the exercise apparatus of FIG.
1.
[0026] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of the exercise apparatus
of FIG. 1 positioned in a doorway for use.
[0027] FIG. 9 is a front view of a user performing chin-ups using
the exercise apparatus of FIG. 1 positioned in a doorway.
MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0028] Referring to FIG. 1, chin-up apparatus 10 is illustrated
according to an embodiment of the present invention. Chin-up
apparatus 10 comprises plate member 7, left L-shaped member 12,
right L-shaped member 13, support member 14, left gripping bar 15,
and right gripping bar 16. Left and right L-shaped members 12, 13
are disposed in side-by-side relation and are substantially
parallel to one another. Plate member 7 and support member 14 are
connected to L-shaped members 12, 13 so that they are substantially
parallel to one another and perpendicular to L-Shaped member 12,
13.
[0029] Left-L-shaped member 10 comprises vertical section 17 and
horizontal section 18. Right-L-shaped member 12 comprises vertical
section 19 and horizontal section 20. Horizontal sections 18, 20
respectively comprise U-shaped portions 21, 22. Vertical sections
17, 19 connect to horizontal sections 18, 20 respectively to form
L-shaped members 12, 13 at an approximately 90 degree angle (best
shown in FIGS. 4 and 5). However, the L-shaped members are not
limited to this angle.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 2, a top view of chin-up apparatus 10 is
illustrated. Plate member 7 extends a length that is less than the
width of the doorway in which chin-up apparatus 10 is to be used.
This allows easy installation of chin-up apparatus 10 for use.
Plate member 7 is secured to vertical sections 17, 19 of L-shaped
member 12, 13 at or near the top 28, 29 of the vertical sections
17, 19. Plate member 7 is secured to vertical sections 17, 19 of
L-shaped members 12, 13 via bolts 40 that extend through aligned
holes in plate member 7 and vertical sections 17, 19. Bolts 40
threadily engage nuts 41 providing adequate stability.
[0031] Plate member 7 is a rectangular box shape having planar
surface 30 for contacting a wall during use. Strip 31 (best
illustrated in FIG. 7) is provided on the substantially planar
surface 30 of plate member 7 for increasing the coefficient of
friction between the wall of contact and the plate member 7. Plate
member 7 is made of hard plastic but can be constructed of a
variety materials including steel, iron, or other suitably rigid
materials. Strip 31 can be made of hard or soft rubber and can be
secured to plane surface 30 of plate member 7 with a suitable
adhesive. Strip 31 is preferably of sufficient thickness that the
heads of bolts 40 do not contact the wall during use. This prevents
the wall from being damaged during use.
[0032] Support member 14 has a length that is greater than the
width of the doorway chin-up apparatus 10 is to be used in. Support
member 14 is secured atop horizontal sections 18, 20 of L-shaped
members 12, 13 via bolts 40 that extend through aligned holes in
support member 14 and horizontal sections 18, 20. Support member 14
is secured to each of L-shaped member 12, 13 at two locations.
Specifically, support member 14 is secured to each leg of U-shaped
portions 21, 22 of horizontal sections 18, 20 via bolts 40 that
threadily engage corresponding nuts 41 (FIG. 3) on the bottom of
chin-up apparatus 10. A total of four connection points is
used.
[0033] Similarly, left gripping bar 15 and right gripping bar 16
are respectively secured atop U-shaped portions 21, 22 of
horizontal sections 18, 20 of L-shaped members 13, 12. Left
gripping bar 15 is secured to each leg of U-shaped portion 21 via
bolts 40 that extend through aligned holes and threadily engage
nuts 41 (FIG. 3). Right gripping bar 16 is secured to each leg of
U-shaped portion 22 via bolts 40 that extend through aligned holes
and threadily engage nuts 41 (FIG. 3).
[0034] As best illustrated in FIG. 7, left gripping bar 15
comprises horizontal section 23 and an angled section 24. Angled
section 24 is vertically angled downward. Right gripping bar 16
comprises horizontal section 25 and angled section 26. Angled
section 26 is vertically angled downward.
[0035] Referring back to FIG. 2, a plurality of hand grips 50 are
provided on chin-up apparatus 10 so that the user can grip chin-up
apparatus 10 in a variety of positions during use. Hand grips 50
are sleeves that fit over the tubular members of chin-up apparatus
10 and can be made of foam. A total of four hand grips 50 are
provided on support member 14. Specifically, a hand grip 50 is
provided on support member 14 between where each of the legs of
U-shaped portions 21, 22 connect to support member 14. A pair of
hand grips 50 is also provided on support member 14 between the
L-shaped members 12, 13. Hand grips 50 are also provided on each of
the legs of U-shaped portions 21, 22 of horizontal sections 18, 20
of L-shaped members 12, 13 between support member 14 and gripping
bars 15, 16. A hand grip 50 is also provided on each of angled
sections 24, 26 of gripping bars 15, 16.
[0036] End sleeves 51 are provided to cover the ends of support
member 14 for increasing the coefficient of friction between the
wall (or sides of the doorway) and support member 14 during use.
End sleeves 51 also protect the wall (or sides of the doorway) from
being damaged during use. End sleeves 51 are preferably constructed
of hard or soft rubber. Sleeves 52 are also provided on vertical
sections 17, 19 of L-shaped members 12, 13. Sleeves 52 are
preferably constructed of hard or soft rubber.
[0037] Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, support member 14 is secured
atop horizontal sections 18, 20 of L-shaped member 12, 13 at a
horizontal distance A from plate member 7. Horizontal distance A is
preferably equal to or larger than the thickness of the doorway in
which chin-up apparatus 10 is to be used. Gripping bars 15, 16 are
respectively secured atop horizontal sections 18, 20 of L-shaped
member 13, 12 at horizontal distance B from plate member 7.
Horizontal distance B is larger than horizontal A. Gripping bars
15, 16 are substantially aligned with each other. In an alternative
embodiment, gripping bars 15, 16 can be constructed to be a single
bar.
[0038] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, chin-up apparatus 10 is
illustrated installed in doorway 60 that extends through wall 61
for use by person 70. When chin-up apparatus 10 is installed in
doorway 60 for use, plate member 7 contacts the opposing surface 62
of the wall 61 above the doorway 60. More specifically, it is
preferred that strip 31 on planar surface 30 (FIG. 7) of plate
member 7 contact opposing surface 62 of wall 61 at a position above
top piece 63 of the doorway frame. When so positioned, vertical
sections 17, 19 of L-shaped members 12, 13 extend downward on the
opposing side of doorway 60. Horizontal sections 18, 20 of L-shaped
member 12, 13 extend through doorway 60. Because the length of
support member 14 is greater than the width of doorway 60, the ends
of support member 14 contact the sides 64 of the doorway frame.
Specifically, end sleeves 51 contact sides 64 of the doorway frame.
Because gripping bars 15, 16 are spaced at a greater horizontal
distance from plate member 17 than is support member 14, gripping
bars 15, 16 are spaced from the planar surface of the wall and the
doorway 60.
[0039] When a person 70 grips gripping bars 15, 16 to perform
chin-ups, a downward force F is exerted. This downward force F
causes a moment about the doorway frame, thereby pressing support
member 14 against the sides 64 of the doorway frame while pressing
plate member 7 against opposing surface 62 of wall 61 above doorway
60. As such, the weight of person 70 holds chin-up apparatus 10 in
position during use.
[0040] Preferably, support member 14, L-shaped member 12, 13, and
gripping bars 15, 16 are made of one inch steel tubing that is bent
to the appropriate shape. As such, support member 14, L-shaped
member 15, 16, and gripping bars 15, 16 will have circular cross
sectional shapes.
[0041] While the invention has been described and illustrated in
sufficient detail that those skilled in this art can readily make
and use it, various alternatives, modifications, and improvements
should become readily apparent without departing from the spirit
and scope of the invention.
* * * * *