U.S. patent application number 12/425760 was filed with the patent office on 2009-08-13 for handle assembly for use with an exercise bar.
Invention is credited to Mark B. Friedman, Stephen G. Hauser, Alden M. Mills.
Application Number | 20090203508 12/425760 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40887260 |
Filed Date | 2009-08-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090203508 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hauser; Stephen G. ; et
al. |
August 13, 2009 |
HANDLE ASSEMBLY FOR USE WITH AN EXERCISE BAR
Abstract
A handle assembly adapted to grasp a bar for exercise includes a
J-shaped hook for placement on the bar, a rotation assembly, and a
handle attached to the rotation assembly. The handle has an
inverted U-shaped bracket with a cross piece defining a grip that
is connected between ends of the U-bracket. The rotation assembly
is connected between a lower end of the hook and the U-shaped
bracket and includes a bearing, the handle being rotatable via the
bearing by a user during exercise with the J-hook on the bar.
Inventors: |
Hauser; Stephen G.;
(Tarzana, CA) ; Friedman; Mark B.; (Simi Valley,
CA) ; Mills; Alden M.; (Kentfield, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CHARTER IP, LLC
P.O. BOX 64
The Plains
VA
20198
US
|
Family ID: |
40887260 |
Appl. No.: |
12/425760 |
Filed: |
April 17, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12042368 |
Mar 5, 2008 |
7540831 |
|
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12425760 |
|
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60983111 |
Oct 26, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
482/139 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/4017 20151001;
A63B 23/12 20130101; A63B 2208/0285 20130101; Y10T 16/469 20150115;
A63B 23/1218 20130101; A63B 23/0211 20130101; A63B 21/4035
20151001; A63B 23/0233 20130101; A63B 21/1627 20130101; A63B 1/00
20130101; A63B 21/068 20130101; A63B 2208/029 20130101; A63B
21/4049 20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/139 |
International
Class: |
A63B 71/00 20060101
A63B071/00 |
Claims
1. A handle assembly adapted to grasp a bar for exercise,
comprising a J-shaped hook for placement on the bar, a curved
portion forming an upper end of the J-hook adapted to grasp the bar
to secure the handle assembly to the bar, a rotation assembly, and
a handle attached to the rotation assembly, the handle having an
inverted U-shaped bracket with a cross piece defining a grip that
is connected between ends of the U-bracket, wherein the rotation
assembly is arranged between a lower end of the J-hook and the
handle, the rotation assembly including a bearing having a fastener
extending there through that is received within the J-hook lower
end to attach the J-hook to the handle, the bearing facilitating
rotational movement of the handle, and a user grasps the handle to
place the curved portion of the J-hook over the bar, the handle
rotated by the user during exercise, via the bearing, about a
vertical axis of the J-hook.
2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the fastener is an elongate bolt
extending through the bearing to be received in a threaded opening
within the lower end of the J-hook for attaching the J-hook to the
handle.
3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the inverted U-bracket includes
an upper horizontal member with a neck integrally formed at a
central location thereon, the neck having a bore for retaining a
head end of the bolt therein so that the handle rotates with the
bearing, and the cross piece comprises a hollow, metal shaft
sheathed within a rubberized grip, the shaft secured between the
downward extending ends of the U-bracket by threaded fasteners.
4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein a first diameter of the grip is
wider at a center of the grip than a second diameter at the grip
ends.
5. A handle assembly adapted to grasp a bar for exercise,
comprising: a J-shaped hook for placement on the bar, a rotation
assembly, and a handle attached to the rotation assembly, the
handle having an inverted U-shaped bracket with a cross piece
defining a grip that is connected between ends of the U-bracket,
wherein the rotation assembly is connected between a lower end of
the hook and the U-shaped bracket and includes a bearing, the
handle rotatable via the bearing by a user during exercise with the
J-hook on the bar.
6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the bearing has a bolt
extending there through that is received within the J-hook lower
end to attach the J-hook to the handle, and the inverted U-bracket
includes an upper horizontal member with a neck integrally formed
at a central location thereon, the neck having a bore for retaining
a head end of the bolt therein so that the handle rotates with the
bearing.
7. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the cross piece comprises a
hollow, metal shaft sheathed within a rubberized grip, the shaft
secured between downward extending ends of the U-bracket by
threaded fasteners.
Description
PRIORITY STATEMENT
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.120
to co-pending application Ser. No. 12/042,368 to Stephen G. Hauser,
et al., filed Mar. 5, 2008 in the United States Patent &
Trademark Office and entitled "PULLUP EXERCISE ASSEMBLY WITH
ROTATBLE HANDLES AND PIVOTABLE BAR", the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] Example embodiments of the present invention generally
relate to rotatable handle assembly for use with an exercise bar
that enhances a pullup and/or chin-up exercise, for example.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Pullups and chin-ups are exercises consisting of chinning
oneself, as on a horizontal bar attached at each end to a frame of
a door or doorpost, or of chinning oneself on other outdoor or
fitness equipment. Both are compound exercises designed to work the
muscles of the upper body. Basically, the difference lies in the
grip. One performing a chin-up uses a narrow grip with the palms
facing inward, while a pullup is done with typically a wider grip
on the bar and with the palms facing outward.
[0006] Traditionally, the exercise of performing a pullup or
chin-up places substantial strain on the joints and is limited to
exercising certain muscles in the arms, neck and back. Pullup bars
with rotatable handle assemblies have been developed to exercise
additional muscles in the arms, neck and back. However, these
systems do not address or facilitate core muscle exercises
(abdominal, trunk).
SUMMARY
[0007] An example embodiment is directed to a handle assembly
adapted to grasp a bar for exercise. The handle assembly includes a
J-shaped hook for placement on the bar, a curved portion forming an
upper end of the J-hook adapted to grasp the bar to secure the
handle assembly to the bar, a rotation assembly, and a handle
attached to the rotation assembly, the handle having an inverted
U-shaped bracket with a cross piece defining a grip that is
connected between ends of the U-bracket. The rotation assembly is
arranged between a lower end of the J-hook and the handle, and
includes a bearing having a fastener extending there through that
is received within the J-hook lower end to attach the J-hook to the
handle. The bearing facilitates rotational movement of the handle.
A user grasps the handle to place the curved portion of the J-hook
over the bar. The handle is rotated by the user during exercise,
via the bearing, about a vertical axis of the J-hook.
[0008] Another example embodiment is directed to a handle assembly
adapted to grasp a bar for exercise. The handle assembly includes a
J-shaped hook for placement on the bar, a rotation assembly and a
handle attached to the rotation assembly. The handle has an
inverted U-shaped bracket with a cross piece defining a grip that
is connected between ends of the U-bracket. The rotation assembly
is connected between a lower end of the hook and the U-shaped
bracket and includes a bearing, the handle being rotatable via the
bearing by a user during exercise with the J-hook on the bar.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] Example embodiments of the present invention will become
more fully understood from the detailed description given herein
below and the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are
represented by like reference numerals, which are given by way of
illustration only and thus do not limit the example
embodiments.
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exercise assembly in
accordance with the example embodiments.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the handle assembly in
accordance with the example embodiments.
[0012] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the handle assembly of FIG. 2
to illustrate components in greater detail.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a front view of the handle assembly of FIG. 2.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a cross-section view of the handle assembly in
FIG. 4 taken across a line A-A.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a partial exploded view of the bar assembly 200 to
illustrate components in greater detail.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a partial exploded view of the bar assembly 200 to
illustrate connection thereof between vertical surfaces.
[0017] FIG. 8 illustrates a user performing a standard chin-up or
pullup on the exercise assembly 1000.
[0018] FIG. 9 illustrates a user performing an Australian pullup on
the exercise assembly 1000.
[0019] FIG. 10 illustrates a user performing a standing row on the
exercise assembly 1000.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] The example embodiments in general relate to a pullup
exercise assembly that includes rotatable handle assemblies and a
pivotable bar assembly which can be oriented and secured into
various positions between two vertical surfaces, such as the
doorposts or sides of a door frame. The example exercise assembly
can combine the pullup and chin-up exercise, and can be used for
performing core exercises such as an inverted pushup (known as an
"Australian pullup"), standing row exercise and a dip exercise, for
example.
[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exercise assembly in
accordance with the example embodiments. The pullup exercise
assembly, hereafter "exercise assembly 1000", is shown positioned
between vertical surfaces 305 of a frame 300. The exercise assembly
1000 includes a bar assembly 200 comprising a central bar 205
connected between a pair of side arm assemblies 250. The central
bar 205 may include a rubber overmold grip, for example. One or
more handle assemblies 100 can be affixed to the central bar 205
via a J-hook 110 that forms part of the handle assembly 100.
[0022] The handle assembly 100 includes a J-hook 110, a rotation
assembly 120, and a handle 130. The J-hook 110 grips the central
bar 205. The J-hook 110 is connected to the rotation assembly 120,
which in turn is connection to the handle 130. The J-hook 110
remains fixed in place as the handle 130 can be rotated around the
axis of the J-hook 110 via the rotation assembly 120.
[0023] Each side arm assembly 250 includes a vertical side strut
252 connected to a horizontal end stub 254. The end stub 254 can be
welded to the side strut 252. The side struts 252 extend along the
vertical surface 305 between an upper hook mount 215 (which
receives the portion of the side-arm assembly where the end stub
254 is attached to the side strut 254) and a lower mount 251 which
includes a pivot pin 255 that extends through a slotted aperture
253 in the side strut 252.
[0024] The bar assembly 200 can pivot about the pivot pins 255. In
an example, the bar assembly 200 is first lifted out of the upper
hook mounts 215 to unlock the pivot pin 255, such that the pin 255
slides down into the wider part of the slotted aperture 253. The
bar assembly 200 can then be rotated to a desired angle from
vertical to perform a different exercise such as a dip, standing
row, inverted pullup, etc.
[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, the bar assembly 200 includes a central
hollow metal bar 205, which can be covered with an overmold grip,
as previously described. The central bar 205 is dimensioned so that
its inner diameter is slightly larger than the outer diameter of
the end stubs 254. Accordingly, the end stubs 254 are received
within the central bar 205, and may be secured via retaining rings
210.
[0026] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the handle assembly in
accordance with the example embodiments. The handle assembly 100 is
a standalone component; in other words it is freely removable from
the bar 205 and is not fixed to the central bar 205 by a connection
means which requires assembly/disassembly, such as a pin, screw or
actuation mechanism which locks and unlocks the handle assembly 100
from the central bar 205.
[0027] The J-hook 110 includes an upper curved portion 112, an
elongate intermediate body that is generally semi-circular in shape
and which forms a circular shape at a base 116 of the hook 110. The
J-hook 110 may be made of a metal material such as steel (which may
be painted for stylistic purposes), and alloy thereof, aluminum,
etc. The handle 130 is connected to the rotation assembly 120 at a
neck 139. The handle 130 includes a metal U-bracket 132 having a
grip member 138 secured therein by way of threaded fasteners 134.
The U-bracket 132 may be made of a medium or heavy gauge impact
plastic such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), or of a
metal material such steel, and alloy thereof, cast aluminum, etc.
The fasteners 134 may be pins for example.
[0028] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the handle assembly of FIG. 2
to illustrate components in greater detail. The rotation assembly
120 includes a generally circular or cylindrical bearing 119 which
is positioned between a washer 125 and an internally threaded plug
118. The bearing 119 permits the handle 130 to be rotated 360
degrees in either direction around a vertical axis of the J-hook
110 that is perpendicular to the bar 205 during exercise. The plug
118 receives a hex bolt 126 such that the external threads on bolt
126 mate with internal threads within plug 118 to connect the
J-hook 110 with handle 130. The plug 118 has a hex head shape that
is a standard profile for an Allen wrench, and fits into a bore 117
formed in base 116. As can be seen in FIG. 3, bolt 126 extends
through neck 139, washer 125 and bearing 119, to be threaded into
the plug 118.
[0029] The rotation assembly 120 includes a rubber bellow 128
between the hook 110 and the neck 139 of the handle 130. At its
top, the rubber below 128 attaches to the base 116 of the J-hook
110. The rubber bellow 128 mates with the neck 139 of handle 130 at
its bottom so that a portion of the neck 139 contacts an interior
surface of the bellow 128. The rubber below 128 encloses the washer
125 and a portion of the bolt 126 extending there through.
[0030] The handle 130 includes a hollow metal shaft 137 overlaid
with or sheathed within grip member 138. Shaft 137 may be composed
of chrome steel or aluminum, for example, and is secured to arms of
the U-bracket 132 via insertion of fasteners 134 through holes 133
in the U-bracket 132. The grip member 138 may be made of a foam
rubber or suitable elastomeric material and has a wider or thicker
center portion which tapers down to the end portions of the grip
member 148.
[0031] The bearing 119 has an opening for receiving the bolt 126.
When the handle assembly 100 is assembled, the bearing 119 fits up
into a bore 117 formed within the base 116 of the J-hook 110,
contacting an underside surface of plug 118.
[0032] FIG. 4 is a front view of the handle assembly of FIG. 2, and
FIG. 5 is a cross-section view of the handle assembly in FIG. 4
taken across a line A-A. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the
relationship between moving and fixed components with rotation
assembly 120 can be seen in greater detail. The bearing 119 is
designed to rotate around the fixed bolt 126 with the hook 110
being fixed on the central bar 205 and the user swiveling or
rotating the handle 130 around the rubber bellow 128 such that the
neck 139 and bearing 119 rotate together. Thus, the bearing 119 and
handle 130 rotate together for desired rotational movement in
either direction.
[0033] FIG. 6 is a partial exploded view of the bar assembly 200 to
illustrate components in greater detail, and FIG. 7 is a partial
exploded view of the bar assembly 200 to illustrate connection
thereof between vertical surfaces. Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the
outer ends of each end stub 254 are attached to corresponding upper
ends of the side struts 252. The portion of the side-arm assembly
250 shown in circle B of FIG. 7 is received into the upper hook
mount 215. The upper hook mount 215 includes a channel 216 to
receive the end of end stub 255 and top of side strut 252 at the
intersection thereof. Thus, the channel 216 has a sufficient width
to accommodate the upper portion of the side-arm assembly 250, as
shown best in FIG. 7. The upper hook mount 215 is secured to a
vertical surface 305 of a door frame 300 for example by suitable
fasteners 217 (such as wood screws) through holes 219 formed in the
upper hook mount 215.
[0034] A lower pivot mount 251 is provided to enable the bar
assembly 200 to be pivotable, once the top of the assembly 200 is
lifted out of the channels 216 of the hook mounts 215. The lower
pivot mount 251 is secured to the vertical surface 305 by suitable
fasteners 258 (such as wood screws) through holes 259 formed in the
lower pivot mount 251. The lower pivot mount 251 contains the pivot
pin 255. The pivot pin 255 has a post with a mushroom head 257 that
is configured to extend into the larger opening of the slotted
aperture 253. Once the desired location of the bar assembly 200 is
set, i.e., the assembly 200 has either (a) been set for
conventional pullup/chin-up exercises, or (b) has been pivoted to
some desired angle from vertical for another exercise, the mushroom
head 257 captures surfaces of the side struts 252.
[0035] For example, once the bar assembly 200 has been pushed
downward so that the pivot pin 255 rides up the narrower channel
256 of slotted aperture 253, the mushroom head 257 of the pivot pin
255 captures surfaces of the side struts 252 along the slotted
aperture 253. Exercising may begin. In one example, the bar
assembly 200 can be removed from the channels 116 of the upper hook
mounts 215 and rotated up to 180 degrees to a lower dimension,
pivoting around the lower pivot mounts 251 so as to permit one to
perform inverted pushup exercises from the ground up, a standing
rowing exercise, a dip exercise etc.
[0036] FIG. 8 illustrates a user performing a conventional pullup
or chin-up exercise on the exercise assembly 1000. Since the handle
assemblies 100 swivel, the user's hands can rotate as the user is
moving up and down, engaging additional muscle groups.
[0037] FIG. 9 illustrates a user performing an Australian pullup on
the exercise assembly 1000. In this example, the fitness trainer
has oriented the exercise assembly 1000 such that the side struts
252 and central bar 205 have been rotated downward approximately
180 degrees from vertical. In this orientation, the trainer can
perform a reverse pushup (Australian pullup) to work different
muscles than can be achieved with a conventional pullup/chin-up
bar.
[0038] FIG. 10 illustrates a user performing a standing row on the
exercise assembly 1000. In this example, the fitness trainer has
oriented the exercise assembly 1000 such that the side struts 252
and central bar 205 have been rotated downward approximately 120
degrees from vertical. In this orientation, the trainer can perform
a rowing exercise to work the core abdominal muscles, in addition
to working the biceps, deltoids, pectorals and other back
muscles.
[0039] FIGS. 8 through 10 are merely example orientations of the
exercise assembly 1000 to perform exercises other than standard
pull-ups or chin-ups. It would be evident to one or skill in the
art to re-position the side-arm assemblies 250 and central bar 205
to perform exercises other than shown in FIGS. 8-10.
[0040] Therefore, unlike traditional pullup or chin-up bars that
limit the user's range of motion, the example exercise assembly
1000 includes twisting handles 130 on adjustable swing arms 250
which attach to the central bar 205 to maximize muscle motion. The
handle assemblies 100 incorporate bearings 119 to enable 360 degree
rotation. This permits the user's arms to move naturally, reduces
strain on joints, and engages additional muscle groups as compared
to the standard pullup bar. The example exercise assembly 1000 thus
may combine the standard pullup and chin-up exercises into one, and
can facilitate additional workouts to core and abdominal muscle
groups.
[0041] The example embodiments being thus described, it will be
obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations
are not to be regarded as departure from the embodiments of the
present invention. All such modifications as would be obvious to
one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the
following claims.
* * * * *