U.S. patent application number 10/862168 was filed with the patent office on 2005-12-08 for versatile dismountable exercise apparatus.
Invention is credited to Lessard, Sylvain.
Application Number | 20050272574 10/862168 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35449723 |
Filed Date | 2005-12-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050272574 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lessard, Sylvain |
December 8, 2005 |
Versatile dismountable exercise apparatus
Abstract
A versatile dismountable exercise apparatus has a basic
structure comprised of key structural frame components which
include a pair of base posts, each being releasably connected at
their upper ends by upper posts and at their lower ends by base
plates. The two upper posts are releasably connected to a wall
mount. From that basic structure, a number of components are added.
The wall mount is generally placed permanently on a wall surface
using mechanical fateners or other means. Accessories are
connected, by way of connecting means, to the basic structures or
to components that are releasably attached to the basic
structures.
Inventors: |
Lessard, Sylvain;
(Ste-Blandine, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
INVENTARIUM
SUITE 1607
4050, ROSEMONT BLVD.
MONTREAL
QC
H1X2M4
CA
|
Family ID: |
35449723 |
Appl. No.: |
10/862168 |
Filed: |
June 7, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/104 ;
482/142 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/078 20130101;
A63B 21/154 20130101; A63B 23/0494 20130101; A63B 2225/10
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/104 ;
482/142 |
International
Class: |
A63B 021/072; A63B
021/078 |
Claims
1. A versatile dismountable exercise apparatus configured for
receiving accessories adapted for it and consisting of a basic
structure comprising: a pair of base posts, each being releasably
connected at its upper end by an upper post, and at its lower end
by a base plate; said two upper posts being releasably connected to
a wall mount by way of wall mount sockets; said pair of upper posts
and said pair of base posts having connectors means to connect
accessories therefrom; said connectors being positioned at various
places along both said base posts and said upper posts; an offset
between said base posts and said upper posts created by bends at
the upper extremity of said base posts followed by a grand bend on
said upper posts to create, in combination, a flying buttress
configuration; tongues acting as support and set all along the
length of both said upper posts and said base posts; on said upper
post, on a side opposite said tongues is a tongue for receiving
accessories to be supported on that side of said upper post;
perpendicular brackets, one at the base of each said base posts for
receiving accessories; big holes situated at various places between
said tongues for placing accessories; equipment holes situated at
various places along the sides of said upper posts and said base
posts; a transverse bar having a first and second pair of tabs each
said pair of tabs situated at one of two extremities in addition to
a third pair of tabs situated therebetween and said transverse bar
engaging said two base posts by snapping into connector means by
way of its said pairs of tabs.
2. A versatile dismountable exercise apparatus as in claim 1
wherein said accessories includes a multi-purpose bench having a
folded section said multi-purpose bench having an anchor point for
equipment, a bench frame structure <<L>> shaped so as
to provide integral legs on which are leg holes so that accessories
can be engaged thereto; attachment means to releasably attach said
multi-purpose bench to said transverse bar.
3. A versatile dismountable exercise apparatus as in claim 1
wherein said accessories include: a main pulleys rack comprising at
least two pulleys rotationally connected to pulleys supports and
said pulleys supports themselves rotationally connected onto the
pulleys rack by mechanical fasteners.
4. A versatile dismountable exercise apparatus as in claim 1
wherein said accessories include: footrest plates inserted into the
downward part of a bench frame structure through footrest holes
wherein only one footrest peg is inserted through a footrest hole
and the other footrest peg rests on the outside of the bench frame
structure.
5. A versatile dismountable exercise apparatus as in claim 1
wherein said accessories include: an extension pulley support
having one said pulley rotationally connected to said pulley
support.
6. A versatile dismountable exercise apparatus as in claim 1
wherein said accessories include: a tube holding a deadlift bar and
said tube being rotationally engaged to said base post by a
connector means.
7. A versatile dismountable exercise apparatus as in claim 1
wherein said accessories include: a scott bench having
<<L>> hooks fixedly attached and pads releasbly
attached by way of hook and pile fasteners.
8. A versatile dismountable exercise apparatus as in claim 1
wherein said accessories include: a chin-up bar having two
oppositely oriented hooks to eliminate the tendency to tilt.
9. A versatile dismountable exercise apparatus as in claim 1
wherein said accessories include: an elbow rest assembly having
elbow pads, grip handles adjustable along handles holes on a frame;
said elbow rest assembly inserting a big hole peg into a big hole
and using said tabs to connect to said base posts so that said
elbow rest assembly does not rotate; said big hole peg terminating
with a clipped pin to lock said elbow rest assembly into place.
10. A versatile dismountable exercise apparatus as in claim 1
wherein said accessories include: an upright calf machine having a
<<Y>> shaped frame with shoulders pads at the top of
said <<Y>> and a chain connected at the junction of the
top of said <<Y>> and the leg of said
<<Y>>and a distal end of said leg of said
<<Y>> being rotationally connected to one of said upper
posts by way of equipment holes.
11. A versatile dismountable exercise apparatus as in claim 1
wherein said accessories include: A sit down calf accessory
releasably attached to said multi-purpose bench having adjustable
knee pads, a support post, and a weight receiving peg.
12. A versatile dismountable exercise apparatus as in claim 1
wherein said accessories include: a leg curl accessory having upper
leg curl pads and lower leg curl pads; and said weight receiving
peg.
13. A versatile dismountable exercise apparatus as in claim 1
wherein: <<L>> hooks fixedly attached to various
accessories insure interface between said acesory and said
transverse bar.
14. A versatile dismountable exercise apparatus as in claim 1
wherein: said base post being connected to said base plate by a
clipped pin.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the invention
[0002] The invention relates generally to exercise equipment but
more particularly to a exercise training center capable of
switching between a large variety of exercises and being
dismountable for easy storage when not in use.
[0003] 2. Background of the invention
[0004] Exercise apparatus, training center or home gymnasiums, no
matter what they are called, have been around for decades and a
large amount of patents have been delivered for such
apparatuses.
[0005] Some are very specific and handle a limited series of
possible exercises for specific muscle groups while others try to
cover all the muscle groups and offer dozens of exercise
possibilities.
[0006] The challenge of course in trying to have everything in one
apparatus is to make it easy to modify certain parts of the
apparatus by either adding or removing a module, changing the
configuration by shortening or lengthening components, etc. . .
[0007] This is part of the challenge, another challenge is to have
an apparatus which is sufficiently stable to handle large moving
weights in addition to the weight of a user.
[0008] There is therefore still room for improvement in this
field.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] It is a first object of this invention to provide an
exercise apparatus having a unique structure allowing for an easy
and quick way to be dismountable.
[0010] It is a second object of this invention to provide an
exercise apparatus having an angled vertical structure which makes
possible a number of exercises not possible on a standard vertical
structure apparatus.
[0011] It is a third object of this invention to provide an
exercise apparatus having a structure allowing for a wall support
providing added stability which makes possible a number of
exercises not possible on equipment lacking the stability of a wall
support.
[0012] In order to do so, the versatile dismountable exercise
apparatus of this instant invention has a basic structure comprised
of key structural frame components which include a pair of base
posts, each being releasably connected at their upper ends by upper
posts and at their lower ends by base plates. The two upper posts
are releasably connected to a wall mount. From that basic
structure, a number of components are added. The wall mount is
generally placed permanently on a wall surface using mechanical
fateners or other means. Accessories are connected, by way of
connecting means, to the basic structures or to components that are
releasably attached to the basic structures.
[0013] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of
this invention will become more readily apparent from the following
detailed description of a preferred embodiment with reference to
the accompanying drawings, wherein the preferred embodiment of the
invention is shown and described, by way of examples. As will be
realized, the invention is capable of other and different
embodiments, and its several details are capable of modifications
in various obvious respects, all without departing from the
invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be
regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0014] FIG. 1 Orthogonal view of the basic structure of the
exercise apparatus.
[0015] FIG. 2 Orthogonal view of a base post
[0016] FIG. 3 Orthogonal view of an upper post
[0017] FIG. 4 Orthogonal view of a wall mount
[0018] FIG. 5 Orthogonal view of a base plate
[0019] FIG. 6 Orthogonal view of the basic structure of the
exercise apparatus with the multi-purpose bench.
[0020] FIG. 7 Orthogonal view of a transverse bar.
[0021] FIG. 8 Orthogonal view of the multi-purpose bench.
[0022] FIG. 9 Orthogonal view of the basic structure of the
exercise apparatus with the multi-purpose bench's back raised.
[0023] FIG. 10 Orthogonal view of the basic structure of the
exercise apparatus with the multi-purpose bench positioned at an
angle.
[0024] FIG. 11 Orthogonal view of the basic structure of the
exercise apparatus with the multi-purpose bench positioned
upright.
[0025] FIG. 12 Orthogonal view of a foot rest pad.
[0026] FIG. 13 Orthogonal view of the basic structure of the
exercise apparatus with the main pulleys rack receiving an
accessory.
[0027] FIG. 14 Orthogonal view of a plate support.
[0028] FIG. 15 Orthogonal view of the basic structure of the
exercise apparatus with a transverse bar set high, receiving a chin
up bar accessory.
[0029] FIG. 16 Orthogonal view of the basic structure of the
exercise apparatus with the transverse bar set low and a dead lift
bar with an acessory.
[0030] FIG. 17 Orthogonal view of a tube for holding a deadlift
bar.
[0031] FIG. 18 Orthogonal view of the basic structure of the
exercise apparatus but with one side set closer and a pair of
transverse bars receiving a scott bench.
[0032] FIGS. 19abcd Orthogonal, back, and side views of a scott
bench, respectively, and a side panel.
[0033] FIG. 20 Orthogonal view of the basic structure of the
exercise apparatus with one side set closer and with elbow rest
asembly and a pair of transverse bars receiving a pad.
[0034] FIG. 21 Orthogonal view of an elbow rest assembly.
[0035] FIG. 22 Orthogonal view of the basic structure of the
exercise apparatus with an upright calf machine accessory.
[0036] FIG. 23 Orthogonal view of the upright calf machine
accessory.
[0037] FIG. 24 Orthogonal view of the basic structure of the
exercise apparatus with an extension rod holding a pulley and
related pulleys and plate supports and accessory.
[0038] FIG. 25 Orthogonal view of a main pulley support
[0039] FIG. 26 Orthogonal view of a sitting down calf machine.
[0040] FIG. 27 Orthogonal view of a leg curl, leg extension
machine.
[0041] FIG. 28 Orthogonal view of the basic structure of the
exercise apparatus with a pulleys mount rod and related
accessories.
[0042] FIG. 29 Orthogonal view of an extension pulley support
[0043] FIG. 30 Orthogonal view of a treadmill accessory
[0044] FIG. 31 Orthogonal view of the basic structure of the
exercise apparatus with all accessories installed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0045] FIGS. 1-5 A versatile dismountable exercise apparatus (10)
has a basic structure (12) comprised of key structural frame
components which include a pair of base posts (14), each being
releasably connected at their upper ends by upper posts (16) and at
their lower ends by base plates (18). The two upper posts (16) are
releasably connected to a wall mount (20). From that basic
structure (12), a number of components are added. Before describing
these added components, however, there are more details to be known
about the basic structure (12). The wall mount (20) is generally
placed permanently on a wall surface using mechanical fateners
although, depending upon the type of mechanical fasteners used, the
wall mount (20) could easily be placed temporarily on a wall
surface by way of hook and pile fasteners or even magnets. In this
way, when dismounted, the dismountable exercise apparatus (10)
doesn't leave a trace, except perhaps for a strip of magnet or pile
which can be easily hidden by some decorative element such as a
picture frame or other wall treatment. Accessories are connected,
by way of connecting means, to the basic structure (12) or to
components that are releasably attached to the basic structure
(12). Some of those accessories or components are releasably
connected to the basic structure (12) using biased push pins (34),
well known in the art, and which are positioned at various places
along both the base posts (14) and upper posts (16), ready to
receive accessories. Other types of connectors could be used
without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the
base plates (18) offer a wide resting surface so as to spread the
load since heavy equipment will be loaded on the basic structure
(12), and because of the additional stress, they are releasably
connected to the base post (14) by way of combination rod and
clipped pins (70). Similar rod and clipped pins (70) can be used to
connect the base posts (14) with the upper posts (16). Along the
sides of the upper posts are equipment holes (104) set for
receiving accessories as will be seen later. Equipment holes (104)
can also be found on the base posts (14). There is an offset
between the base post (14) and the upper post (16) created by a
bend (22) at the upper extremity of the base post (14). The upper
post (16) has an even larger grand bend (24) toward its upper end
making the semi vertical upper post (16) horizontal from thereon so
that it engages the wall mount (20) horizontally into one of three
wall mount sockets (26). These bends (22, 24) give, in combination,
a flying buttress like configuration to the basic structure (12).
All along the length of both the base post (14) and upper post (16)
are tongues (28) these tongues act as support for barbells and
other parts described later. Just above the bend (22), on the upper
post (16), is an extended support (30) which allows for equipment
to be in line with the tongues (28) of the base posts (14) and its
reinforced structure allows it to receive a heavy barbell. Also, on
the opposite side of the tongues (28), the upper post (16), is a
tongue (28') meant for receiving accessories which require to be
supported on that side of the upper post (14). At the lower end of
the base post (16) is a perpendicular bracket (32) designed to
receive accessories. Finally, big holes (82) are situated at
various places between the tongues (28) for placing
accessories.
[0046] FIGS. 6-7 In order to start using the versatile dismountable
exercise machine (10), accessories are added, we can begin with a
transverse bar (36) which has a pair of tabs (38) at each extremity
and another one about a third of the way along the transverse bar
(36), its location matches the location of the middle wall mount
socket (26) on the wall mount (20). This intermediate setting is
used when moving one side of the dismountable exercise machine
(10), that is the base post (14) and upper post (16), closer to the
other side as per FIG. 18, which is useful for certain types of
exercises. The transverse bar (36) engages the two base posts (14)
by snapping into push pins (34) by way of its tabs (38) which have
holes for biased push pins (34). Also on the transverse bar (36)
are guides (39) for centring a multi-purpose bench (40).
[0047] FIGS. 8-12 The multi-purpose bench (40) has an anchor point
for equipment (108), a bench frame structure (110)
<<L>> shaped to provide integral legs on which are leg
holes (112) so that accessories such as foot rest pads (84) can be
engaged thereto. As is well known in the art, exercise benches can
have folded sections or different angle settings as exemplified in
the figures, wherein a single multi-purpose bench (40) having
different adjustable angles, ranging from horizontal to vertical,
can accomplish what usually takes different types of benches. For
any arrangement, the means of attachment of the multi-purpose bench
(40) is by way of <<L>> hooks (138) of which a series
of pairs set at different locations along the length of the frame
structure (110) insures flexibility in the various adjustments. A
separate sub frame (140) holds the back part (142) of the
multi-purpose bench (40) and a rotational axis (144) made of
mechanical fasteners rotationally attaches the sub frame (140) to
the frame structure (110) and allows for the raising and lowering
of the back part (142). Footrest plates (84) are inserted into the
downward part of the bench frame structure (110) through footrest
holes (112) wherein only one footrest peg (150) is inserted through
the footrest hole (112) and the other footrest peg (150') rests on
the outside of the bench frame structure (110). The set distance
between the footrest pegs (150, 150') gives the correct angle to
the footrest plates (84).
[0048] FIGS. 13-14 introduces a main pulleys rack (114) which
comprises at least two pulleys (94) rotationally connected to
pulleys supports (116), and the pulleys supports (116) themselves
rotationally connected onto the pulleys rack (114) by mechanical
fasteners (118). The same type of tabs (38) as on the transverse
bar (36) are used to secure the pulleys rack (114) onto the
dismountable exercise apparatus (10). As is known in the art, a
cable (96) runs through one or more pulley (94) with one end of the
cable (96) having an accessory while the other end is connected to
a load or weights. Here, the load in the form of standard plates
(not shown) is slipped around the shaft (120) of a plate support
(54) comprised of a base (122), a spacer ring (124) so that the
plates won't make contact with the floor, for ease in removal, and
a ring (126) for engagement of a clip (128) from the end of the
cable (96).
[0049] FIG. 15 The transverse bar(36) can also be fitted in lieu of
the pulleys rack (114) so that an accessory such as a chin-up bar
(64) can be installed. This chin-up bar (64) has a unique system of
two oppositely oriented hooks (66) which eliminates the tendency to
tilt that would be produced if the two hooks (66) would be oriented
in the same direction.
[0050] FIGS. 16-17 Using the same rod and clipped pins (70) that
hold the base plate (18) rotationally attaches a tube(130)--by way
of an engagement hole (132)--for holding a deadlift bar (68) and
optionally a close grip handle (202). It should be noted that in
order to keep the dismountable exercise apparatus (10) from
spreading apart, at least one component such as a transverse bar
(36) should remain installed onto the dismountable exercise
apparatus (10).
[0051] FIGS. 18-19abc Two transverse bars (36) hold a scott bench
(72) and/or an abs cushion (134). As can be seen in FIG. 19b, the
scott bench (72) has a pair of hook and pile releasably attached
side panels (136) which, in combination with a pair of
<<L>> hooks (138) set up the scott bench (72) at an
angle as per FIG. 18. Similar (<<L>> hooks (138) are
also part of the abs cushion (134). Except for size, both the scott
bench (72) and the abs cushion (134) are essentially the same, that
is why they are identified by either (72) or (134) in the figures.
Also, the side panels (136) can be laid flat or on their edge
against the scott bench (72) of abs cushion (134). In FIG. 18, hat
one side of the dismountable exercise apparatus (10) has been
brought closer to the other. This unique capability allows for the
realization of several other types of exercises hardly doable on
other exercise devices. The side panels (136) can be used for
giving an angle to the scott bench (72) as seen on this figure as
each pad (136) rests on the lower transverse bar (36) or they can
serve as legs of sort to raise the scott bench (72) when it is put
on the floor as a knee pad or riser of sort.
[0052] FIGS. 20-21 An elbow rest assembly (78) has elbow pads (80),
grip handles (98) that are adjustable along handles holes (100) on
a frame (102). The elbow rest assembly (78) inserts a big hole peg
(81) into big hole (82) and uses tabs (38) to connect to the base
posts (14) so that the elbow pads (80) do not rotate. The big hole
peg (81) terminates with a clipped pin (70) to lock the elbow rest
assembly (78) into place. The abs cushion (134) can be used to
provide back support to a user.
[0053] FIGS. 22-23 show an upright calf machine (44) having a
<<Y >> shaped frame with shoulders pads (46) at the top
of the <<Y >> (48) and a chain (50) connected to where
the top of the <<Y >> (48) joins the leg of the
<<Y >>(52) and going downward therefrom to the plate
support (54). The distal end of the leg of the <<Y
>>(52) is rotationally connected to one of the upper posts
(16) by way of equipment holes (104).
[0054] FIGS. 24-25 The main pulleys support (114) provides for
another set of exercise. Two cables (96) can be connected together
if needed. An extension pulley support (146) is similar in
structure to the main pulleys support (114) since it also has
pulleys (94) rotationally connected to pulleys supports (116).
[0055] FIG. 26 A sit down calf accessory (56) releasably attached
to the multi-purpose bench (40) has adjustable knee pads (58), a
support post (60), and a weight receiving peg (62).
[0056] FIG. 27 shows a leg curl accessory (74) with upper leg curl
pads (76) and lower leg curl pads (76'), and a weight receiving peg
(62).
[0057] FIGS. 28-29 The perpendicular bracket (32) holds the
extension pulley support (146) with main pulley support (114) to
make a shoulder exercise machine.
[0058] FIG. 30 A treadmill accessory (200) can be releasably
attached to a transverse bar (36) much the way other accessories
such as the bench press (40) is attached, that is by using
<<L>> hooks (138) . A variety of such accessories can
be created and can be hooked to the basic structure (12) in this
fashion. The <<L>> hooks (138) are thus an important
feature to have in order for an accessory to fit. As described
earlier, there are other ways to conect to the versatile
dismountable exercise apparatus (10).
[0059] FIG. 31 Shows the dismountable exercise apparatus (10) with
most of its accessories installed.
* * * * *