U.S. patent application number 13/801612 was filed with the patent office on 2013-09-19 for door frame mounted exercise device and system.
This patent application is currently assigned to ICON Health & Fitness, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is ICON HEATH & FITNESS, INC.. Invention is credited to Traci Jo Maughan, David McEvoy.
Application Number | 20130244836 13/801612 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49158162 |
Filed Date | 2013-09-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130244836 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Maughan; Traci Jo ; et
al. |
September 19, 2013 |
Door Frame Mounted Exercise Device And System
Abstract
An exercise system selectively suspendable from a door frame
that includes a right forearm engaging member that supports at
least a portion of the weight of a user during the performance of
an exercise, a left forearm engaging member that supports at least
a portion of the weight of a user during the performance of an
exercise, and a connecting structure that attaches at one end to
the right and left forearm engaging members and that has an
attachment mechanism at the other end that facilitates selective
suspension of the right and left forearm engaging members from a
door frame.
Inventors: |
Maughan; Traci Jo; (Lehi,
UT) ; McEvoy; David; (Providence, UT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ICON HEATH & FITNESS, INC. |
Logan |
UT |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
ICON Health & Fitness,
Inc.
Logan
UT
|
Family ID: |
49158162 |
Appl. No.: |
13/801612 |
Filed: |
March 13, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61610934 |
Mar 14, 2012 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/40 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/068 20130101;
A63B 23/0216 20130101; A63B 1/00 20130101; A63B 21/4035 20151001;
A63B 23/1218 20130101; A63B 23/1227 20130101; A63B 21/1645
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/40 |
International
Class: |
A63B 1/00 20060101
A63B001/00 |
Claims
1. An exercise system selectively suspendable from a door frame,
the exercise device comprising: a right forearm engaging member
that supports at least a portion of the weight of a user during the
performance of an exercise; a left forearm engaging member that
supports at least a portion of the weight of a user during the
performance of an exercise; and a connecting structure that
attaches at one end to the right and left forearm engaging members
and that has an attachment mechanism at the other end that
facilitates selective suspension of the right and left forearm
engaging members from a door frame.
2. The exercise system of claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism
may be selectively secured to and suspended from a mounting
structure that is selectively connectable to a door frame.
3. The exercise system of claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism
is a mounting structure that is selectively connectable to a door
frame.
4. The exercise system of claim 3, wherein the mounting structure
comprises a first cross member that selectively engages a first
side of wall above a doorway, a second cross member that
selectively engages a second side of the wall, and a mounting
member connecting the first cross member with the second cross
member.
5. The exercise system of claim 3, wherein the mounting structure
comprises a first inner door frame mount, a second inner door frame
mount, and a bar that extends between the first and second inner
door frame mounts within a doorway.
6. The exercise system of claim 1, wherein the connecting structure
comprises a pair of elongated members that are generally parallel
to one another.
7. The exercise system of claim 6, wherein the lengths of the
elongated members are selectively adjustable such that the vertical
position of the right and left forearm engaging members can be
varied within a doorway.
8. The exercise system of claim 1, wherein the right and left
forearm engaging members include right and left cushions.
9. The exercise system of claim 1 further comprising a back
engaging member.
10. The exercise system of claim 9, wherein the back engaging
member includes a cushion.
11. The exercise system of claim 1 further comprising a stabilizing
member that is connected to right and left forearm engaging members
and that selectively engages a wall portion that is adjacent to a
doorway.
12. The exercise system of claim 11, wherein the stabilizing member
selectively engages both a first wall portion to the right of the
doorway and a second wall portion that is to the left of the
doorway.
13. The exercise system of claim 1 further comprising right and
left stabilizing handles connected to and extending away from the
right and left forearm engaging members, respectively.
14. The exercise system of claim 13 further comprising right and
left dip handles connected to right and left forearm engaging
members, respectively, wherein the right and left dip handles are
in a generally horizontal orientation when the exercise device is
suspended from a door frame.
15. The exercise system of claim 14, wherein the right and left
stabilizing handles and the right and left dip handles have outer
surfaces that are at least partially covered by either a foam or
rubber material.
16. An exercise system that is mountable to a door frame, the
exercise system comprising: a mounting structure that is
selectively connectable to a door frame, the mounting structure
comprising a first cross member that selectively engages a first
side of wall above a doorway, a second cross member that
selectively engages a second side of the wall adjacent to the
doorway, and a mounting member connecting the first cross member
with the second cross member; a body engaging structure that
supports the weight of a user during performance of an exercise on
the exercise device, the body engaging structure comprising right
and left forearm engaging members, and a back engaging member; and
a connecting structure connecting the mounting structure with the
body engaging structure.
17. The exercise system of claim 16, wherein the body engaging
structure further comprises a stabilizing member that selectively
engages the second side of the wall adjacent to the doorway.
18. The exercise system of claim 16, wherein the connecting
structure comprises an elongated member having a selectively
adjustable length.
19. The exercise system of claim 16, wherein the body engaging
structure further comprises right and left stabilizing handles
connected to and extending away from the right and left forearm
engaging members, respectively.
20. An exercise system that is mountable to a door frame, the
exercise system comprising: a mounting structure that is
selectively connectable to a door frame, the mounting structure
comprising a bar that is configured to extend between a right and
left side of a door frame within a doorway; a body engaging
structure that supports the weight of a user during performance of
an exercise on the exercise device, the body engaging structure
comprising a right forearm engaging member, a left forearm engaging
member, and a back engaging member; and a connecting structure
removeably securing the mounting structure with the body engaging
structure.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 61/610,934 filed Mar. 14, 2012.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] In general, the present invention relates to exercise
devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to
exercise devices that can be mounted on a door frame and that can
be used to perform exercises that focus on differing muscle groups
including abdominal and core muscles groups.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Portable and light-weight exercise devices have become an
increasingly popular way to work out. Some of these devices mount
to one or more structural elements that are built within a house
during the construction process. For example, a device may be
mounted to a door frame and/or within a doorway. While existing
door frame mountable exercise devices are proficient at targeting
certain muscle groups, these exercise devices are limited both in
the type of exercises that can be performed and the muscle groups
that can be targeted.
[0004] One example of a door frame mountable exercise device can be
found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,417,628 titled "Exercise Device for
Chin-Ups." This patent discloses an exercise device that can be
mounted to a door frame and can be used to do pull-up or chin-up
type exercises. Additional door frame mountable exercise devices
are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,405,127 titled "Doorway mounted
Horizontal Bar" and U.S. Patent Pub. No. US2005/0250619 titled
"Doorway Mounted Exercise Apparatus." Each of these publications
also disclose an exercise device that can be mounted to a door
frame and can be used to do pull-up or chin-up type exercises.
[0005] While each of these devices enable a user to perform certain
specific types of exercises, the types of exercises that can be
performed using these devices is extremely limited. Indeed, use of
the devices disclosed in the aforementioned publications may be
limited to pull-up type exercises. As a result of the limited types
of exercises that can be performed with these devices, the muscle
groups targeted through use of these devices may also be
limited.
SUMMARY
[0006] In one embodiment, an exercise system is selectively
suspendable from a door frame. The system includes a right forearm
engaging member that supports at least a portion of the weight of a
user during the performance of an exercise, a left forearm engaging
member that supports at least a portion of the weight of a user
during the performance of an exercise, and a connecting structure
that attaches at one end to the right and left forearm engaging
members and that has an attachment mechanism at the other end that
facilitates selective suspension of the right and left forearm
engaging members from a door frame.
[0007] In one aspect of the disclosure that may be combined with
any of the aspects herein, the attachment mechanism may be
selectively secured to and suspended from a mounting structure that
is selectively connectable to a door frame.
[0008] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the
aspects herein, the attachment mechanism is a mounting structure
that is selectively connectable to a door frame.
[0009] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the
aspects herein, the mounting structure comprises a first cross
member that selectively engages a first side of wall above a
doorway, a second cross member that selectively engages a second
side of the wall, and a mounting member connecting the first cross
member with the second cross member.
[0010] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the
aspects herein, the mounting structure comprises a first inner door
frame mount, a second inner door frame mount, and a bar that
extends between the first and second inner door frame mounts within
a doorway.
[0011] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the
aspects herein, the connecting structure comprises a pair of
elongated members that are generally parallel to one another.
[0012] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the
aspects herein, the lengths of the elongated members are
selectively adjustable such that the vertical position of the right
and left forearm engaging members can be varied within a
doorway.
[0013] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the
aspects herein, the right and left forearm engaging members include
right and left cushions.
[0014] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the
aspects herein, the exercise system further comprises a back
engaging member.
[0015] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the
aspects herein, the back engaging member includes a cushion.
[0016] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the
aspects herein, the exercise system further comprises a stabilizing
member that is connected to right and left forearm engaging members
and that selectively engages a wall portion that is adjacent to a
doorway.
[0017] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the
aspects herein, the stabilizing member selectively engages both a
first wall portion to the right of the doorway and a second wall
portion that is to the left of the doorway.
[0018] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the
aspects herein, the exercise system further comprises right and
left stabilizing handles connected to and extending away from the
right and left forearm engaging members, respectively.
[0019] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the
aspects herein, the exercise system further comprises right and
left dip handles connected to right and left forearm engaging
members, respectively, wherein the right and left dip handles are
in a generally horizontal orientation when the exercise device is
suspended from a door frame.
[0020] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the
aspects herein, the right and left stabilizing handles and the
right and left dip handles have outer surfaces that are at least
partially covered by either a foam or rubber material.
[0021] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the
aspects herein, an exercise system includes a mounting structure, a
body engaging structure, and a connecting structure that connects
the mounting structure with the body engaging structure.
[0022] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the
aspects herein, a mounting structure is selectively connectable to
a door frame and includes a first cross member that selectively
engages a first side of wall above a doorway, a second cross member
that selectively engages a second side of the wall adjacent to the
doorway, and a mounting member connecting the first cross member
with the second cross member.
[0023] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the
aspects herein, a body engaging structure supports the weight of a
user during performance of an exercise on the exercise device.
[0024] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the
aspects herein, a body engaging structure includes right and left
forearm engaging members and a back engaging member.
[0025] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the
aspects herein, a body engaging structure includes a stabilizing
member that selectively engages a second side of the wall adjacent
to a doorway.
[0026] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the
aspects herein, a connecting structure comprises an elongated
member having a selectively adjustable length.
[0027] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the
aspects herein, a body engaging structure comprises right and left
stabilizing handles connected to and extending away from right and
left forearm engaging members, respectively.
[0028] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the
aspects herein, a mounting structure is selectively connectable to
a door frame and includes a bar that is configured to extend
between a right and left side of a door frame within a doorway.
[0029] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the
aspects herein, a body engaging structure supports the weight of a
user during performance of an exercise on the exercise device and
includes a right forearm engaging member, a left forearm engaging
member, and a back engaging member.
[0030] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the
aspects herein, a connecting structure removeably secures the
mounting structure with the body engaging structure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a door frame
mountable exercise device according to one embodiment of the
present invention.
[0032] FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view of a mounting
structure according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0033] FIG. 2B illustrates a front view of an exercise system that
combines the door frame mountable exercise device of FIG. 1 with
the mounting structure of FIG. 2A.
[0034] FIG. 2C illustrates a side view of the exercise system of
FIG. 2B being used to perform a tricep exercise.
[0035] FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view of a mounting
structure according to another embodiment of the present
invention.
[0036] FIG. 3B illustrates a front view of an exercise system that
combines the door frame mountable exercise device of FIG. 1 with
the mounting structure of FIG. 3A.
[0037] FIG. 3C illustrates a front view of the exercise system of
FIG. 3B being used to perform an abdominal exercise.
[0038] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a door frame
mountable exercise device according to yet another embodiment of
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0039] Exercise devices and systems that can be mounted to a door
frame and that can be used to work out a variety of different
muscle groups are provided herein. For example, the exercise
devices and systems provided herein can be used to perform
exercises that involve abdominal, core, and tricep muscle
groups.
[0040] FIG. 1 illustrates an exercise device 100 according to the
present invention. Exercise device 100 may be suspended from a door
frame mountable device, such as a pull-up bar. Exercise device 100
enables a user to perform a number of different exercises using the
weight of the user's own body and gravity as resistance.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 1, exercise device 100 includes a body
engaging structure 110, a stabilizing member 140, and a connecting
structure 150. Body engaging structure 110 includes a right forearm
engaging member 112 and a left forearm engaging member 114. When
exercise device 100 is suspended from a door frame mountable
device, right and left forearm engaging members 112 and 114 may be
positioned in a generally horizontal orientation and may provide a
user with a place to rest his or her forearms during the
performance of an abdominal exercise on exercise device 100. FIG.
3C illustrates exercise device 100 being used to perform an
abdominal exercise (e.g., a vertical knee raise exercise). Given
that most or all of a user's weight may be placed on his or her
forearms during the performance of an abdominal exercise, right and
left forearm engaging members 112 and 114 may include a right
cushioning member 116 and a left cushioning member 118,
respectively.
[0042] To provide additional stability to a user performing an
exercise on exercise device 100, right and left forearm engaging
members 112 and 114 may also include a right stabilizing handle 120
and a left stabilizing handle 122. Right and left stabilizing
handles 120 and 122 may extend away from right and left forearm
engaging members 112 and 114, respectively, at generally right
angles such that a user may easily grasp handles 120 and 122 when
the user's forearms are positioned on right cushioning member 116
and left cushioning member 118. A user may grasp right and left
stabilizing handles 120 and 122 to avoid the user's forearms from
unintentionally slipping off of right forearm engaging member 112
or left forearm engaging member 114 during the performance of an
abdominal exercise on exercise device 100.
[0043] Right and left forearm engaging members 112 and 114 may
further include a right dip handle 124 and a left dip handle 126.
Dip handles 124 and 126 may be grasped by a user performing dip
exercises on exercise device 100. FIG. 2C illustrates exercise
device 100 being used to perform a dip exercise. When exercise
device 100 is suspended from a door frame mountable device, dip
handles 124 and 126 may be positioned in a generally horizontal
orientation.
[0044] The outer surfaces of right and left stabilizing handles 120
and 122 and right and left dip handles 124 and 126 may be covered
in part or in whole in a material that helps to prevent a user's
hands from slipping during performance of an exercise. For example,
handles 120, 122, 124, and 126 may include an outer covering made
of foam, rubber, or another material that helps to prevent
slipping.
[0045] Body engaging structure 110 may also include a back engaging
member 128. When exercise device 100 is suspended from a door frame
mountable device, back engaging member 128 may be positioned in a
generally vertical orientation and may provide a user with a place
to position his or her back during the during the performance of an
abdominal exercise on exercise device 100. For added comfort, back
engaging member 128 may include a cushioning member 130.
[0046] Right and left forearm engaging members 112 and 114 and back
engaging member 128 may be secured together via a direct or an
indirect connection. For example, with regard to exercise device
100, right and left forearm engaging members 112 and 114 and back
engaging member 128 are each directly connected to stabilizing
member 140 and thus indirectly connected to each other.
[0047] In addition to connecting right and left forearm engaging
members 112 and 114 and back engaging member 128 together,
stabilizing member 140 may be configured so that it contacts a wall
to either the right side or the left side of a doorway in which
exercise device 100 is to be used. The term "wall" as used herein
broadly includes any material that may be used as a vertical
partition, including but not limited to wood (e.g., a wooden door
frame that defines a doorway), sheet rock, plaster, cement, brick,
stone, or another material. This wall contact may provide stability
to exercise device 100 during the performance of an exercise.
[0048] As shown in FIGS. 2B, 3B, and 3C, stabilizing member 140 may
also be longer than the width of a doorway such that contact is
made with the wall both on the right side and on the left side of
the doorway, thus providing an added amount of stabilization for
exercise device 100. Stabilizing member 140 may include pads 142a
and 142b in the places where contact may be made with a wall. These
pads may help avoid marring or otherwise damaging walls and may
further ensure a stable connection. Pads 142a and 142b may be made
of foam, rubber, or another material.
[0049] Exercise device 100 also includes a connecting structure
150. Connecting structure 150 connects body engaging structure 110
and stabilizing member 140 with a mounting structure. A mounting
structure, according to the present invention, may take on any
number of different forms. FIGS. 2A and 3A illustrate two different
example mounting structures 170 and 190, which will be discussed in
greater detail below.
[0050] As shown in FIG. 1, connecting structure 150 comprises a
right elongated member 152 and a left elongated member 154. Right
elongated member 152 and left elongated member 154 may be generally
parallel and may further be positioned in generally vertical
orientations. Right elongated member 152 and left elongated member
154 may be connected to body engaging structure 110 and/or
stabilizing member 140 through either direct or indirect
connections. These connections may be permanent. For example, to
the extent that both body engaging structure 110 and connecting
structure 150 are made from a metal based material, these
components may be permanently welded together. In addition,
connecting structure 150 may be integrally formed with body
engaging structure 110 and/or stabilizing member 140.
Alternatively, the connection between connecting structure 150 and
body engaging structure 110 or stabilizing member 140 may be
selectively releasable such that connecting structure 150 may be
selectively disconnected from body engaging structure 110 and/or
stabilizing member 140.
[0051] The length of right and left elongated members 152 and 154
may be selectively adjustable. One of skill in the art will
appreciate that there are many different mechanisms that may allow
the length of right and left elongated members 152 and 154 to be
selectively adjustable. For example, right and left elongated
members 152 and 154 may include right and left telescoping
mechanisms 156 and 158, respectively. Telescoping mechanisms 156
and 158 may allow an upper portion of elongated members 152 and 154
to fit within or about a lower portion of the elongated member.
Right and left telescoping pins 160a and 160b may fit within holes
162a and 162b to secure telescoping mechanisms 156 and 158 in a
configuration so that right and left elongated members 152 and 154
are at a desired length.
[0052] Right elongated member 152 and left elongated member 154
also include attachment mechanisms 164 and 166, respectively.
Attachment mechanisms 164 and 168 may be connected to a mounting
structure. A mounting structure may be any structure that is
securable to a door frame and that is capable of suspending
exercise device 100. As discussed in more detail hereafter, FIGS.
2A and 3A illustrate perspective views of example mounting
structures 170 and 190.
[0053] Right and left attachment mechanisms 164 and 166 may include
right and left generally inverted u-shaped members 168a and 168b
that hook to a generally horizontal portion of a mounting
structure. Right and left attachment mechanisms 164 and 166 may
further include right and left attachment pins 169a and 169b, which
can extend between two ends of u-shaped members 168a and 168b to
lock a generally horizontal portion of a mounting structure within
u-shaped members 168a and 168b.
[0054] Referring to FIG. 2A, mounting structure 170 includes a
first cross member 172, a second cross member 174 and mounting
members 176 and 178. First and second cross members 172 and 174 may
have lengths that are more or less than the width of a doorway.
Mounting members 176 and 178 are generally L-shaped and include
generally vertical portions 180a and 180b, respectively, and
generally horizontal portions 182a and 182b, respectively. First
cross member 172 is connected to generally vertical portions 180a
and 180b of mounting members 176 and 178. Second cross member 174
is connected to generally horizontal portions 182a and 182b of
mounting members 176 and 178. As a result, first and second cross
members 172 and 174 are both horizontally and vertically offset
from one another.
[0055] FIG. 2B illustrates a front view of a door frame 188 and
depicts how exercise device 100 may be suspended from door frame
188. Specifically, FIG. 2B illustrates an exercise system that
includes exercise device 100 and mounting structure 170. Mounting
structure 170 may be positioned on door frame 188 so that the first
cross member 172 passes through the doorway defined by door frame
188 and contacts a first side of a wall above the doorway. As can
be seen in FIG. 2B, first cross member 172 optionally has a length
that is less than the width of the doorway.
[0056] Vertical portions 180a and 180b of mounting members 176 and
178 extend downward and horizontal portions 182a and 182b extend
through the doorway so that second cross member 174 engages a
second side of the wall. Second cross member 174 may engage the
second side of the wall in a single or multiple places. With regard
to mounting structure 170, second cross member 174 has a width that
is greater than the width of the doorway such that it contacts the
second side of the wall in two places: to the right of the doorway
and to the left of the doorway. A downward force exerted on second
cross member 174 causes first and second cross members 172 and 174
to be pressed against opposing sides of the doorway, thus holding
mounting structure 170 securely in place.
[0057] Exercise device 100 can be selectively attached to mounting
structure 170. For instance, right and left attachment mechanisms
164 and 168 may be positioned about second cross member 174 to
selectively suspend exercise device 100 from door frame 188 as
illustrated by the arrows in FIG. 2B.
[0058] FIG. 2C illustrates a side view of exercise device 100
mounted to door frame 188 via mounting structure 170 and depicts
how exercise device 100 may be used to perform dip exercises. As
depicted in FIG. 2C, a user 189 may grasp dip handles 124 and 126
and raise and lower his or her body with his or her feet off the
ground. User 189 may face either toward or away from exercise
device 100.
[0059] FIG. 3A illustrates another example mounting structure 190.
Mounting structure 190 includes a right inner door frame mount 192,
a left inner door frame mount 194, and a bar 196. Right and left
inner door frame mounts 192 and 194 may be secured to opposing
inner vertical portions of a door frame. Right and left inner door
frame mounts 192 and 194 may further include brackets that allow
bar 196 to be secured between right and left inner door frame
mounts 192 and 194. The length of bar 196 may be selectively
adjustable to ensure that bar 196 will fit within a doorway.
[0060] FIG. 3B illustrates a front view of a door frame 198 and
depicts how exercise device 100 may be suspended from door frame
198. Specifically, FIG. 3B illustrates an exercise system that
includes exercise device 100 and mounting structure 190. Right and
left inner door frame mounts 192 and 194 of mounting structure 190
are secured to right and left inner vertical surfaces,
respectively, of door frame 198. Exercise device 100 can be
selectively attached to mounting structure 190. Specifically, right
and left attachment mechanisms 164 and 168 may be positioned about
bar 196 to selectively suspend exercise device 100 from door frame
198 as illustrated by the arrows in FIG. 3B.
[0061] FIG. 3C illustrates a front view of exercise device 100
mounted to door frame 198 via mounting structure 190 and depicts
how exercise device 100 may be used to perform abdominal exercises.
As depicted in FIG. 3C, a user 199 may rest his or her forearms on
right and left cushioning members 116 and 118, grasp right and left
stabilizing handles 120 and 122 and raise and lower his or her
knees.
[0062] FIG. 4 illustrates an exercise device 200 according to
another embodiment of the present invention. Exercise device 200
includes a body engaging structure 210 and a connecting structure
250. Body engaging structure 210 and connecting structure 250 each
perform functions and include components that are similar to
exercise device 100. For example, body engaging structure 210
includes right and left forearm engaging members 212 and 214 and a
back engaging member 215. Body engaging structure 210 also includes
a right forearm engaging member 216, a left forearm engaging member
218, a right stabilizing handle 220, a left stabilizing handle 222,
a right dip handle 224, and a left dip handle 226.
[0063] Connecting structure 250 includes a right elongated member
252 and a left elongated member 254. Right and left elongated
members 252 and 254 are connected to body engaging structure 210,
and may be formed integrally therewith. Connecting structure 250
also includes an attachment mechanism 256 and a stabilizing member
240. Unlike exercise device 100, however, stabilizing member 240
does not engage any portion of a wall surrounding a doorway. Also
unlike exercise device 100, attachment mechanism 256 in exercise
device 200 is itself a mounting structure. Thus, exercise device
200 does not secure to and suspend from a separate mounting
structure. Rather the mounting structure is part of connecting
structure 250 in exercise device 200.
[0064] Attachment mechanism 256 includes a first cross member 272,
a second cross member 274 and mounting members 276 and 278. First
cross member 272 may have a length that is less than the width of a
doorway. Second cross member 274 may have a length that is greater
than the width of a doorway. Second cross member 274 may also
include grip members 275a and 275b that may be used to perform
pull-up or chin-up type exercises. Mounting members 276 and 278 may
include generally vertical portions 280a and 280b, respectively,
and generally horizontal portions 282a and 282b, respectively.
First cross member 272 is connected to the generally vertical
portions 280a and 280b of mounting members 276 and 278. Second
cross member 274 is connected to the generally horizontal portions
282a and 282b of mounting members 276 and 278.
[0065] Attachment mechanism 256 may be positioned on a door frame
so that the first cross member 272 passes through the doorway
defined by the door frame and contacts a first side of a wall above
the doorway. Vertical portions 280a and 280b of mounting members
276 and 278 extend downward and horizontal portions 282a and 282b
extend through the doorway so that second cross member 274
selectively engages a second side of the wall. A downward force
exerted on second cross member 274 causes first and second cross
members 272 and 274 to be pressed against opposing sides of the
doorway, thus holding exercise device 200 securely in place.
[0066] In exercise device 200, mounting member 276 is integrally
formed with right elongated member 252 and right forearm engaging
member 212. Mounting member 278 is integrally formed with left
elongated member 254 and left forearm engaging member 214.
Generally horizontal portions 282a and 282b are substantially
parallel to one another. Right and left elongated member 252 and
254 are generally vertical and substantially parallel to one
another. Stabilizing member 240, first cross member 272, and second
cross member 274 are each generally horizontal and substantially
parallel to one another.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0067] In general, systems and devices of the present invention may
be suspended from a door frame and may enable a person to perform
exercises that target specific muscle groups. For example, systems
and devices of the present invention may be used to perform
abdominal/core muscle exercises and tricep exercises. Systems and
devices of the present invention may include a body engaging
structure and a connecting structure. A body engaging structure may
support all or part of a person's body weight during performance of
an exercise. A connecting structure may selectively suspend the
body engaging structure from a door frame.
[0068] A connecting structure may include an attachment mechanism
that is selectively attachable to a mounting structure. A mounting
structure, according to the present invention, may be any structure
that may be secured to a door frame and that is capable of
suspending a body engaging member therefrom. A mounting structure
may be removably or permanently secured to a door frame.
[0069] An attachment mechanism may selectively attach to a mounting
structure via one or more hooks, pins, straps, or other devices.
Alternatively, a connecting structure may include an attachment
mechanism that comprises a mounting structure. For example, a
connecting structure may be permanently attached to or integrally
formed with a connecting structure. For example, a connecting
structure may comprise a bar that can be secured to right and left
vertical inner surfaces of a door frame.
[0070] An attachment mechanism, according to the present invention,
may comprise one or more elongated members. For example, in one
embodiment, the attachment mechanism may comprise a single
elongated member that is connected to a body engaging member at one
end and that includes an attachment mechanism at the other end.
[0071] An exercise device of the present invention may also include
a stabilizing member. A stabilizing member may contact a wall to
provide additional stability to a body engaging member. For
example, a stabilizing member may contact a wall on either the
right or left side of a doorway. Alternatively, a stabilizing
member may contact a wall on both the right and left sides of a
doorway. Additionally, a stabilizing member may contact the front
and/or back sides of a doorway.
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