U.S. patent application number 12/402148 was filed with the patent office on 2010-09-16 for exercise assembly.
Invention is credited to Mark B. Friedman, Stephen G. Hauser, Alden M. Mills.
Application Number | 20100234193 12/402148 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42731188 |
Filed Date | 2010-09-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100234193 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Friedman; Mark B. ; et
al. |
September 16, 2010 |
EXERCISE ASSEMBLY
Abstract
An exercise assembly for performing multiple exercises includes
a pivotable bar assembly and a dip bar assembly. The pivotable bar
assembly extends through a frame and has a central bar connected
between first ends of a pair of swings arms, with second ends of
the swing arms pivotably connected to facing surfaces of the frame.
The dip bar assembly extends across a front side of the frame and
includes a main tube with a pair of handles extending outward from
the main tube and resting on the center bar of the bar
assembly.
Inventors: |
Friedman; Mark B.; (Simi
Valley, CA) ; Mills; Alden M.; (Kentfield, CA)
; Hauser; Stephen G.; (Tarzana, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CHARTER IP, LLC
P.O. BOX 64
The Plains
VA
20198
US
|
Family ID: |
42731188 |
Appl. No.: |
12/402148 |
Filed: |
March 11, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/133 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 23/1218 20130101;
A63B 23/1227 20130101; A63B 21/00047 20130101; A63B 2023/003
20130101; A63B 21/4017 20151001; A63B 21/1627 20130101; A63B 1/00
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/133 |
International
Class: |
A63B 23/035 20060101
A63B023/035 |
Claims
1. An exercise assembly, comprising: a pivotable bar assembly
extending through a frame, the bar assembly having a central bar
connected between first ends of a pair of swings arms, with second
ends of the swing arms pivotably connected to facing surfaces of
the frame, a dip bar assembly extending across a front side of the
frame, the dip bar assembly including a main tube with a pair of
handles extending outward from the main tube and resting on the
central bar, each handle including an angled portion connected to
the main tube, the angled portion including an integral support on
an underside thereof that rests over a portion of the central
bar.
2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the main tube is secured
between a pair of stub tubes, each stub tube terminating within a
bumper that engages a surface of the frame.
3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein each stub tube includes a
bracket thereon for supporting a corresponding swing arm therein so
that the swing arms are angled outward toward the dip bar
assembly.
4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the width of the bar assembly
and the dip bar assembly is adjustable.
5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein a width between the handles is
adjustable along the main tube.
6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the central bar is secured
between a pair of end stubs, each end stub connected to a swing arm
second end.
7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein each swing arm includes a side
strut securely connected at its first end to a pivot pin and to a
corresponding end stub at its second end, the side strut second end
including a slotted aperture receiving the pivot pin therein, and
the interconnected central bar between swing arms is configured to
be selectively rotated from a horizontal plane between the frame to
another position away from the frame via the pivot pins.
8. (canceled)
9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein each handle includes a grip end
integral with the angled portion and horizontally oriented to
permit a dip exercise.
10. The assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the central bar and
handle include an over-mold material thereon to provide a non-slip
surface.
11. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a rotatable handle
assembly that is removably attached to one of the central bar and
the handles.
12. The assembly of claim 1, wherein a user can position the
central bar and dip bar assembly so as to perform one or more of a
pullup, chin-up, dip, reverse dip, inverted pushup and standing row
exercise.
13. An exercise assembly, comprising; a bar assembly attached to a
frame and configured to be pivoted at one end so as to extend
outward through the frame, and a dip bar assembly extending across
a front side of the frame and including a pair of handles extending
outward from a main tube of the dip bar assembly and resting on the
bar assembly, each handle including an angled portion connected to
the main tube, the angled portion including an integral support on
an underside thereof that rests over a portion of the bar
assembly.
14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the main tube is secured
between a pair of stub tubes, each stub including a bracket thereon
for supporting a corresponding swing arm of the bar assembly so
that the swing arms are angled outward toward the dip bar
assembly.
15. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the width of the bar assembly
and the dip bar assembly is adjustable.
16. The assembly of claim 13, wherein a width between the handles
is adjustable.
17. The assembly of claim 13, wherein each handle includes a grip
end integral with the angled portion and horizontally oriented to
permit a dip exercise.
18. The assembly of claim 13, further comprising a rotatable handle
assembly that is removably attached to one of the bar assembly and
handle.
19. The assembly of claim 18, wherein the handle assembly includes:
a J-shaped hook for placement on one of the bar assembly and
handle, a curved portion of the J-hook adapted to grasp the bar
assembly or handle, a rotation assembly fixed to the hook, and a
handle attached to the rotation assembly, the rotation assembly
enabling the handle to be rotated 360 degrees around a vertical
axis of the J-hook that is perpendicular to the bar assembly or
handle during exercise.
20. A dip bar assembly for placement against a frame, comprising: a
pair of end stubs, a main tube secured between the end stubs, with
ends of the end stubs terminating in bumpers that engage a front
surface of the frame, each end stub including a bracket for
supporting a swing arm of a pivotable bar assembly therein so that
the swing arms are angled outward from the frame toward the dip bar
assembly, and a pair of handles extending outward from the main
tube, each handle including an angled portion connected to the main
tube, the angled portion including an integral support on an
underside thereof that rests over a portion of the bar
assembly.
21. The assembly of claim 20, wherein each handle includes a grip
end integral with the angled portion and horizontally oriented to
permit a dip exercise.
22. The assembly of claim 20, wherein a width between the handles
is adjustable along the main tube.
23. The assembly of claim 20, further comprising a rotatable handle
assembly that is removably attached to one of the bar assembly and
handle.
24. An exercise assembly, comprising; a bar assembly pivotably
attached to a frame so that it can pivot back and forth through an
opening in the frame, a dip bar assembly extending across one side
of the frame and including a pair of handles extending outward
therefrom, and a rotatable handle assembly removably attached to
one of the bar assembly and handle, the rotatable assembly further
comprising: a J-shaped hook for placement on one of the bar
assembly and handle, a curved portion of the J-hook adapted to
grasp the bar assembly or handle, a rotation assembly fixed to the
hook, and a handle attached to the rotation assembly, the rotation
assembly enabling the handle to be rotated 360 degrees around a
vertical axis of the J-hook that is perpendicular to the bar
assembly or handle during exercise.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is related to U.S. application Ser. No.
12/042,368 to Hauser, et al., filed Mar. 5, 2008 in the United
States Patent & Trademark Office and entitled "PULLUP EXERCISE
ASSEMBLY WITH ROTATABLE HANDLES AND PIVOTABLE BAR", the disclosure
of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] Example embodiments of the present invention generally
relate to an exercise assembly adapted for performing a dip
exercise and other exercises.
[0004] 2. 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 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).
[0007] Further, traditional pull-up and chin-up bars do not allow
for the performance of dip exercises. The user must use a separate
dip bar having horizontal handles in order to perform a dip. These
conventional dip bars have a fixed width between the handles.
SUMMARY
[0008] An example embodiment of the present invention is directed
to an exercise assembly that includes a pivotable bar assembly and
a dip bar assembly. The pivotable bar assembly extends through a
frame and has a central bar connected between first ends of a pair
of swings arms, with second ends of the swing arms pivotably
connected to facing surfaces of the frame. The dip bar assembly
extends across a front side of the frame and includes a main tube
with a pair of handles extending outward from the main tube and
resting on the center bar of the bar assembly.
[0009] Another example embodiment is directed to an exercise
assembly that includes a bar assembly attached to a frame and
configured to be pivoted at one end so as to extend outward through
the frame, and a dip bar assembly extending across a front side of
the frame and including a pair of handles extending outward from a
main tube of the dip bar assembly and resting on the bar
assembly.
[0010] Another example embodiment is directed to a dip bar assembly
for placement against a frame. The assembly includes a pair of end
stubs, a main tube and a pair of handles extending outward from the
main tube. The main tube is secured between the end stubs, with
ends of the end stubs terminating in bumpers which engage a front
surface of the frame. Each end stub includes a bracket for
supporting a swing arm of a pivotable bar assembly therein so that
the swing arms are angled outward from the frame toward the dip bar
assembly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] 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.
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exercise assembly
installed within a frame in accordance with the example
embodiments.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a partial exploded view of the bar assembly to
illustrate components in greater detail.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a partial exploded view of the bar assembly to
illustrate connection thereof between vertical surfaces.
[0015] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the dip bar exercise assembly
in accordance with the example embodiments.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the bracket of the dip bar
assembly to illustrate additional detail.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a partial view of the exercise assembly to
illustrate the positioning of the bracket in more detail.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the bar assembly installed
within a frame with a set of rotatable handle assemblies in
accordance with another example embodiment.
[0019] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the handle assembly of FIG. 7
to illustrate components in greater detail.
[0020] FIG. 9 illustrates a user performing a standard dip exercise
on the exercise assembly.
[0021] FIG. 10 illustrates a user performing a reverse dip exercise
on the exercise assembly.
[0022] FIG. 11 illustrates a user performing an Australian pullup
on the exercise assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exercise assembly
installed within a frame in accordance with the example
embodiments. The exercise assembly 100 includes a pivotable bar
assembly 200 secured within a frame 400 and removably attached to a
dip bar assembly 300. The bar assembly 200 includes a pair of swing
arms 250 that may pivot at pivot points 275. Ends of the swing arms
250 are attached to facing surfaces 405 of the frame 400, as shown
in FIG. 1. The bar assembly 200 includes a central bar 205 secured
between a pair of end stubs 254 by collars 212. The central bar 205
can include an over-mold grip or sleeve to provide a non-slip
surface, for example. The central bar 205, swing arms 250 and end
stubs 254 may be composed of a metal material such as steel (which
may be painted for stylistic purposes), and alloy thereof,
aluminum, etc.
[0024] The dip bar assembly 300 includes a main tube 305 secured
between a pair of stub tubes 310 by collars 315. The ends of the
stub tubes 310 terminate in bumpers 330 that protect the frame 400.
The dip bar assembly 300 includes a pair of handles 350 attached to
the main tube 305 and also attached to the central bar 205 of the
bar assembly 200. The handle 350 may include an over-mold material
thereon, such as foam rubber, to provide a non-slip surface.
[0025] Additionally, the dip bar assembly 300 includes a pair of
brackets 320 designed to receive and support the swing arms 250, as
shown in FIG. 1. The brackets may be made of a thermoplastic
material such as ABS for example. The components of the dip bar
assembly 300 may be composed of a metal material such as steel
(which may be painted for stylistic purposes), and alloy thereof,
aluminum, etc.
[0026] In FIG. 1, the handles 350 of the dip bar assembly 300 are
shown in a slightly raised position. This is to better illustrate a
support 354 that is provided on an underside of each handle 350.
Each support 354 is designed to rest on the central bar 205 of the
bar assembly 200. Additionally in this raised position, the
brackets 320 are shown away from the central bar 200, it being
understood that in the installed position the brackets 320 rest
against the end stubs 254 of the central bar 205.
[0027] FIG. 2 is a partial exploded view of the bar assembly 200 to
illustrate components in greater detail; and FIG. 3 is a partial
exploded view of the bar assembly 200 to illustrate connection
thereof between vertical surfaces. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the
outer ends of each end stub 254 are attached to corresponding upper
ends of side struts 252. The portion of the swing arm 250 shown in
circle B of FIG. 3 is received into an upper hook mount 215. The
upper hook mount 215 includes a channel 216 to receive the end of
end stub 254 and top of a side strut 252 at the intersection
thereof. Thus, the channel 216 has a sufficient width to
accommodate the upper portion of the swing arm 250, as shown best
in FIG. 3. The upper hook mount 215 can secured to a vertical or
facing surface 405 of the door frame 400 for example by suitable
fasteners 217 (such as wood screws) through holes 219 formed in the
upper hook mount 215.
[0028] A lower pivot mount 251 (shown generally as the pivot point
275 in FIG. 1) 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 facing surface 405 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, such as a
dip exercise, the mushroom head 257 captures surfaces of the side
struts 252.
[0029] 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 216 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.
[0030] With a load on the exercise assembly 100, the forces induced
by the weight are absorbed by the bar assembly 200 and dip bar
assembly 300 against the frame 400. The downward force on handles
350 is absorbed in part by the central bar 205, which in turn is
secured in the brackets 320 of the dip bar assembly 300. The main
tube 305 and stub tubes 310 also absorb the forces imparted on the
handles 350, and the bumpers 330 protect the frame 400 against
damage.
[0031] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the dip bar assembly 300 in
accordance with the example embodiments. The stub tubes 310 are
received within the hollow interior of the main tube 305 and, once
the desired width is set, are secured by tightening the collars 315
with a suitable wrench, such as a hex wrench 317 in this example.
The brackets 320 include a lower bore 325 which fits over each stub
tube 310. Each bumper 330 has a central bore 335 designed to slide
over the stub tube 310 end.
[0032] The handles 350 are infinitely or variably adjustable in
width, within the constraints the main tube 305, i.e., to the
collars 315. This is unlike conventional dip bars which have fixed
widths between the handles. Each handle 350 includes a collar 351
integrally formed and having a bore 352 so as to slide over the
main tube 305, to be set at any desired position on the main tube
305. An angled arm 353 extends downward from the collar 351 and
flares out to a level grip end 355. Each angled arm 353 includes a
support 354 on an underside thereof. Each support 354 is designed
to rest on the central bar 205 of the bar assembly 200. Each grip
end 355 can include an over-mold grip 356 and a decorative end cap
358 that inserts into the bore 357 of the grip end 355 once the
grip 356 has been slipped over grip end 355.
[0033] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the bracket of the dip bar
assembly to illustrate additional detail. The bracket 320 is
designed to secure the swing arms 250 to the stub tubes 310 of the
dip bar assembly 300. Bracket 320 includes a lower bore 325 that
slips over the stub tube 310 to attach the bracket 320 to the stub
tube 310. The bracket 320 includes an elongated channel 322 for
receiving the side strut 252 of the swing arm 250. A clip
projection 324 is provided at the rear exterior end of the bracket
320 so as to prevent the side strut 252 from popping out of the
channel 322. A half-round feature 326 is formed on the inner side
at the front end of the bracket 320 to provide alignment, spacing
and additional support with the bracket 320 in place on the end
stub 254 of the central bar 205.
[0034] FIG. 6 is a partial view of the exercise assembly to
illustrate the positioning of the bracket in more detail. In the
properly installed position, the bore 325 of the bracket 320 is
slid over the stub tube 310 to secure the bracket 320 thereon. The
side strut 252 of the swing arm 250 is snapped into the bracket 320
and secured therein via the clip projection 324. The two bars 205,
305 are then repositioned so that the supports 354 rest over the
central bar 205 and the half-round feature 326 of the bracket 320
abuts up against and receives the end stub 254 of the central bar
205, as shown in FIG. 6.
[0035] The half-round feature 326 locates the main tube 305 of the
dip bar assembly 300 at the proper height along the swing arms 250
so that the supports 354 on the underside of the angled arms 353 of
the handles 350 do not gouge the foam rubber cover of the central
bar 205. The half-round features 326 secure the dip bar assembly
300 to the swings arms 250, preventing the dip bar assembly 300
from falling if the central bar 250 is ever pulled away from the
door frame 400.
[0036] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the bar assembly 200
installed within the frame 400 for pullup and chin-up exercises,
among other exercises. The bar assembly 200 is shown positioned
between the facing surfaces 405 of the frame 400. One or more
handle assemblies 500 can be affixed to the central bar 205 via a
J-hook 510 that forms part of a rotatable handle assembly 500.
[0037] The handle assembly 500 includes the J-hook 510, a rotation
assembly 520, and a handle 530. The J-hook 510 grips the central
bar 205. The J-hook 510 is connected to the rotation assembly 520,
which in turn is connection to the handle 530. The J-hook 510
remains fixed in place as the handle 530 can be rotated around the
axis of the J-hook 510 via the rotation assembly 520. As will be
shown hereafter, the handle assemblies 500 can be used in
conjunction with the dip bar assembly 300. As shown, the bar
assembly 200 is configured for pull-ups and chin-ups.
[0038] As previously noted, 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.
[0039] The central hollow metal bar 205 can be covered with an
over-mold 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.
[0040] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the handle assembly of FIG. 7
to illustrate components in greater detail. The rotation assembly
520 includes a generally circular or cylindrical bearing 519 which
is positioned between a washer 525 and an internally threaded plug
518. The bearing 519 permits the handle 530 to be rotated 360
degrees in either direction around a vertical axis of the J-hook
510 that is perpendicular to the bar 205 during exercise. The plug
518 receives a hex bolt 526 such that the external threads on bolt
526 mate with internal threads within plug 518 to connect the
J-hook 510 with handle 530. The plug 518 has a hex head shape that
is a standard profile for an Allen wrench, and fits into a bore 517
formed in base 516. As can be seen in FIG. 8, bolt 526 extends
through neck 539, washer 525 and bearing 519, to be threaded into
the plug 518.
[0041] The rotation assembly 520 includes a rubber bellow 528
between the hook 510 and the neck 539 of the handle 530. At its
top, the rubber bellow 528 attaches to the base 516 of the J-hook
510. The rubber bellow 528 mates with the neck 539 of handle 530 at
its bottom so that a portion of the neck 539 contacts an interior
surface of the bellow 528. The rubber below 528 encloses the washer
525 and a portion of the bolt 526 extending there through.
[0042] The handle 530 includes a hollow metal shaft 537 overlaid
with or sheathed within grip member 538. Shaft 537 may be composed
of chrome steel or aluminum, for example, and is secured to arms of
the U-bracket 532 via insertion of fasteners 534 through holes 533
in the U-bracket 532. The grip member 538 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 548.
[0043] The bearing 519 has an opening for receiving the bolt 526.
When the handle assembly 500 is assembled, the bearing 519 fits up
into a bore 517 formed within the base 516 of the J-hook 510,
contacting an underside surface of plug 518.
[0044] FIGS. 9-11 illustrate a user performing various exercises on
the exercise assembly 100. In these examples, the exercise assembly
100 includes the bar assembly 200 installed with the dip bar
assembly 300 with a door frame such as frame 400, it being
understood that handle assemblies 500 could be used. As shown in
FIG. 9, the user is performing a standard dip on the dip bar
assembly 300 as installed within a door frame; the swing arm
assemblies 250 are rotated downward from vertical. FIGS. 10 and 11
show different exercises; in each figure part of the wall next to
the frame is removed so as to better view the exercise. In FIG. 10,
a user is performing a reverse dip exercise on the dip bar assembly
300. In FIG. 11, a user is performing an Australian pullup on the
dip bar assembly 300 using the rotating handles 500. In this
example, the fitness trainer has oriented the exercise assembly 100
such that bar assembly 200 and dip bar assembly 300 have been
rotated downward 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.
[0045] FIGS. 9 through 11 are merely example orientations of the
exercise assembly 100 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 bar assembly 200 and/or dip bar assembly 300 to
perform exercises other than shown in FIGS. 9-11.
[0046] 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.
* * * * *