U.S. patent application number 14/493253 was filed with the patent office on 2015-07-16 for a-frame exercise rack system.
This patent application is currently assigned to COULTER VENTURES, LLC, D/B/A ROGUE FITNESS, COULTER VENTURES, LLC, D/B/A ROGUE FITNESS. The applicant listed for this patent is William Henniger. Invention is credited to William Henniger.
Application Number | 20150196119 14/493253 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53520238 |
Filed Date | 2015-07-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150196119 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Henniger; William |
July 16, 2015 |
A-FRAME EXERCISE RACK SYSTEM
Abstract
An A-frame exercise rack system includes a plurality of first
side support bars, a plurality of second side support bars, a at
least one top bar, and a plurality of connection joints. Each of
the plurality of connection joints includes a first plate, a third
plate, and a second plate. The first plate includes first and
second support bar plates extending outwardly and downwardly from
the first plate. The third plate includes first and second support
bar plates extending outwardly and downwardly from the third plate.
The first and third plates may be parallel relative to each other
and perpendicular relative to the second plate thereby defining a
top bar channel. The first and second support bar plates of the
first and third plates may be parallel to each other and
perpendicular relative to the first and third plates thereby
defining spaces for receiving first and second side support
bars.
Inventors: |
Henniger; William;
(Columbus, OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Henniger; William |
Columbus |
OH |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
COULTER VENTURES, LLC, D/B/A ROGUE
FITNESS
Columbus
OH
|
Family ID: |
53520238 |
Appl. No.: |
14/493253 |
Filed: |
September 22, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61880869 |
Sep 21, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/85.7 ;
29/428 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63G 9/00 20130101; A63B
9/00 20130101; A63B 2023/0411 20130101; A63B 21/4035 20151001; A63B
1/00 20130101; Y10T 29/49826 20150115; A47F 5/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47B 55/00 20060101
A47B055/00; A47B 81/00 20060101 A47B081/00 |
Claims
1. An A-frame exercise rack system, comprising: a plurality of
first side support bars; a plurality of second side support bars;
at least one top bar; and a plurality of connection joints, each
comprising: a first plate including first and second support bar
plates extending outwardly and downwardly from the first plate; a
second plate; and a third plate including first and second support
bar plates extending outwardly and downwardly from the third plate,
wherein the first and third plates are parallel relative to each
other and perpendicular relative to the second plate thereby
defining a top bar channel for receiving the at least one top bar,
wherein the first and second support bar plates of the first plate
are parallel to each other and perpendicular relative to the first
plate thereby defining a space for receiving one of the plurality
of first side support bars, and wherein the first and second
support bar plates of the third plate are parallel to each other
and perpendicular relative to the third plate thereby defining a
space for receiving one of the plurality of second side support
bars.
2. The A-frame exercise rack system of claim 1, wherein an
assembled set of one of the plurality of first side support bars,
one of the plurality of second side support bars, and one of the
plurality of connection joints define a single section of the
A-frame exercise rack system.
3. The A-frame exercise rack system of claim 2, wherein the one of
the plurality of first side support bars extends outwardly and
downwardly from the first plate of the one of the plurality of
connection joints, and wherein the one of the plurality of second
side support bars extends outwardly and downwardly from the third
plate of the one of the plurality of connection joints, thereby
defining a triangular shape.
4. The A-frame exercise rack system of claim 3, wherein a first of
the plurality of connection joints is connected to a second of the
plurality of connection joints by the at least one top bar thereby
joining a first single section and a second single section.
5. The A-frame exercise rack system of claim 4, wherein the first
single section and the second single section define a triangular
prism.
6. The A-frame exercise rack system of claim 1, wherein edges of
the first and second support bar plates of the first plate are
welded to the first plate, and wherein edges of the first and
second support bar plates of the third plate are welded to the
third plate.
7. An A-frame exercise rack system, comprising: a connection joint,
comprising: a first plate including first and second support bar
plates extending outwardly and downwardly from the first plate; a
second plate; and a third plate including first and second support
bar plates extending outwardly and downwardly from the third plate,
wherein the first and third plates are parallel relative to each
other and perpendicular relative to the second plate thereby
defining a top bar channel for receiving a top bar, wherein the
first and second support bar plates of the first plate are parallel
to each other and perpendicular relative to the first plate thereby
defining a space for receiving a first side support bar, and
wherein the first and second support bar plates of the third plate
are parallel to each other and perpendicular relative to the third
plate thereby defining a space for receiving a second side support
bar.
8. The A-frame exercise rack system of claim 7, wherein edges of
the first and second support bar plates of the first plate are
welded to the first plate, and wherein edges of the first and
second support bar plates of the third pate are welded to the third
plate.
9. An A-frame exercise rack system assembly method, comprising:
connecting a first of a plurality of first side support bars to a
first of a plurality of connection joints; connecting a first of a
plurality of second side support bars to the first of the plurality
of connection joints, where the first of the plurality of first
side support bars, the first of the plurality of connection joints,
and the first of the plurality of second side support bars together
define a first single section of the A-frame exercise rack system;
connecting a second of the plurality of first side support bars to
a second of the plurality of connection joints; connecting a second
of the plurality of second side support bars to the second of the
plurality of connection joints, where the second of the plurality
of first side support bars, the second of the plurality of
connection joints, and the second of the plurality of second side
support bars together define a second single section of the A-frame
exercise rack system; and connecting the first single section of
the A-frame exercise rack system to the second single section of
the A-frame exercise rack system by a top bar.
10. The A-frame exercise rack system assembly method of claim 9,
wherein each of the plurality of connection joints each comprise: a
first plate including first and second support bar plates extending
outwardly and downwardly from the first plate; a second plate; and
a third plate including first and second support bar plates
extending outwardly and downwardly from the third plate, wherein
the first and third plates are parallel relative to each other and
perpendicular relative to the second plate thereby defining a top
bar channel for receiving the top bar, wherein the first and second
support bar plates of the first plate are parallel to each other
and perpendicular relative to the first plate thereby defining a
space for receiving one of the plurality of first side support
bars, and wherein the first and second support bar plates of the
third plate are parallel to each other and perpendicular relative
to the third plate thereby defining a space for receiving one of
the plurality of second side support bars.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a non-provisional application of prior
pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/880,869,
filed Sep. 21, 2013, which is herein incorporated by reference in
its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to
exercise equipment. More particularly, embodiments of the present
invention relate to an A-frame exercise rack system.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Exercise rack systems are known in the art. Existing
exercise rack systems vary in size and configuration. However,
these varying exercise rack systems do have a similarity in that
they do often share an overall rectangular shape when viewed from a
side, such as exemplified by the exercise rack system depicted in
FIG. 1. A section of the exercise rack system may include side two
support bars connected by a connection bar member. The side support
bars may conceptually form the sides of the rectangle, the
connection bar member may conceptually form the top of the
rectangle, and a floor surface may conceptually form the bottom of
the rectangle. Second and additional sections of the exercise rack
system (each including side support bars and a connection bar
member) may be connected by additional connection bar members to
form a cube having the overall rectangular shape when viewed from
the side.
[0006] A shortcoming exists as a result of this overall rectangular
configuration. Specifically, the stability of each section of the
exercise rack system is dependent on at least the strength of the
attachments at both ends of each top member to the side support
bars. This problem may be intensified by the fact that the strength
of the attachments is affected by use of the exercise rack system
and also by disassembly and reassembly of the exercise rack system.
Moreover, the rectangular shape itself may lead to instability. A
further shortcoming exists as a result of this overall rectangular
configuration. Specifically, the rectangular shape necessitates a
certain number of parts which adds weight and volume to the
collection of parts for an unassembled exercise rack system, and
also necessitates a certain amount of material for an exercise rack
system.
[0007] In light of the foregoing and other shortcomings in the art,
it is desirable to provide an improved exercise rack system.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0008] It is an aspect of the invention to provide a more stable
exercise rack system.
[0009] It is a further aspect of the invention to provide an
exercise rack system having fewer component parts, thereby
requiring lower quantities of raw materials.
[0010] According to an aspect of the invention, an A-frame exercise
rack system is provided. The A-frame exercise rack system includes
a plurality of first side support bars, a plurality of second side
support bars, a at least one top bar, and a plurality of connection
joints. Each of the plurality of connection joints includes a first
plate, a third plate, and a second plate. The first plate includes
first and second support bar plates extending outwardly and
downwardly from the first plate. The third plate includes first and
second support bar plates extending outwardly and downwardly from
the third plate. The first and third plates may be parallel
relative to each other and perpendicular relative to the second
plate thereby defining a top bar channel. The first and second
support bar plates of the first and third plates may be parallel to
each other and perpendicular relative to the first and third plates
thereby defining spaces for receiving first and second side support
bars.
[0011] According to another aspect of the invention, an A-frame
exercise rack system is provided. The A-frame exercise rack system
may include a connection joint. The connection joint may include a
first plate, a third plate, and a second plate. The first plate
includes first and second support bar plates extending outwardly
and downwardly from the first plate. The third plate includes first
and second support bar plates extending outwardly and downwardly
from the third plate. The first and third plates may be parallel
relative to each other and perpendicular relative to the second
plate thereby defining a top bar channel. The first and second
support bar plates of the first and third plates may be parallel to
each other and perpendicular relative to the first and third plates
thereby defining spaces for receiving first and second side support
bars.
[0012] According to another aspect of the invention, an A-frame
exercise rack system assembly method is provided. A first of a
plurality of first side support bars may be connected to a first of
a plurality of connection joints. A first of a plurality of second
side support bars may be attached to the first of the plurality of
connection joints. The first of the plurality of first side support
bars, the first of the plurality of connection joints, and the
first of the plurality of second side support bars together define
a first single section of the A-frame exercise rack system. A
second of the plurality of first side support bars may be connected
to a second of the plurality of connection joints. A second of the
plurality of second side support bars may be attached to the second
of the plurality of connection joints. The second of the plurality
of first side support bars, the second of the plurality of
connection joints, and the second of the plurality of second side
support bars together define a second single section of the A-frame
exercise rack system. A top bar may connect the first single
section of the A-frame exercise rack system to the second single
section of the A-frame exercise rack system.
[0013] The foregoing and other aspects will become apparent from
the following detailed description when considered in conjunction
with the accompanying drawing figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a related art
exercise rack system.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an A-frame exercise rack
system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a side view of the A-frame exercise rack system of
FIG. 2.
[0017] FIG. 4 frontal view of the A-frame exercise rack system of
FIG. 2.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a top view of the A-frame exercise rack system of
FIG. 2.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a connection joint according
to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a frontal view of the connection joint of FIG. 6
attached to a section of the A-frame exercise rack system of FIG. 2
serving as an end section and also to a top bar.
[0021] FIG. 8 is a frontal view of the connection joint of FIG. 6
attached to a section of the A-frame exercise rack system of FIG. 2
serving as a middle section and also to two top bars.
[0022] FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of the assembly of a
section of an A-frame exercise rack system according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of the assembly of an
A-frame exercise rack system according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0024] FIGS. 11A-I are schematic representations of an A-frame
exercise rack system according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the
present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the
accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the
like elements throughout. The embodiments are described below to
explain the present invention by referring to the figures.
[0026] As used in the description of this application, the terms
"a", "an" and "the" may refer to one or more than one of an element
(e.g., item or act). Similarly, a particular quantity of an element
may be described or shown while the actual quantity of the element
may differ. The terms "and" and "or" may be used in the conjunctive
or disjunctive sense and will generally be understood to be
equivalent to "and/or". Elements from an embodiment may be combined
with elements of another. No element used in the description of
this application should be construed as critical or essential to
the invention unless explicitly described as such. Further, when an
element is described as "connected," "coupled," or otherwise linked
to another element, it may be directly linked to the other element,
or intervening elements may be present.
[0027] An embodiment of the present invention may provide an
A-frame exercise rack system. The A-frame exercise rack system has
an overall triangular shape or A-Frame shape when viewed from a
side. Triangular sections of the A-frame exercise rack system may
be connected to each other thereby forming a triangular prism.
[0028] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an A-frame exercise rack
system 200 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention. FIG. 3 is a side view of the A-frame exercise rack
system 200 of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 frontal view of the A-frame exercise
rack system 200 of FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a top view of the A-frame
exercise rack system 200 of FIG. 2.
[0029] A section of the A-frame exercise rack system 200 may
include two side support bars 202. The support bars 202 may each
include a base 203 at one end. In contrast to the related art
exercise rack system, a section of the A-frame exercise rack system
200 may omit a connection bar member and instead include a
connection joint 204. The side support bars 202 may conceptually
form the sides of a triangle, and a floor surface may conceptually
form the bottom of the triangle. Second and additional sections of
the A-frame exercise rack system 200 (each including side support
bars 202 and a connection joint 204) may be connected by a top bar
206 and pull-up bars 208. The multiple sections of the A-frame
exercise rack system 200 may form a triangular prism having the
overall triangular shape when viewed from the side (FIG. 3).
[0030] The pull-up bars 208 may provide additional strength and
rigidity to the A-frame exercise rack system 200. A user may grip
the pull-up bars 208 for purposes of performing pull-up exercises.
Alternative exercise rack system components may be added to the
A-frame exercise rack system 200.
[0031] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a connection joint 204
according to an embodiment of the present invention. The connection
joint 204 may include a first plate 602 and a third plate 606
connected by a second plate 604. The first and third plates 602,
606 may be parallel relative to each other, and perpendicular
relative to the second plate 604 thereby defining a top bar channel
608. The first, second, and third plates 602, 604, 606 may be
integral and formed by bending a single piece of metal.
[0032] The connection joint 204 may include first and second
support bar plates 610, 612 extending outwardly and downwardly from
both the first and third plates 602, 606. Edges of the first and
second support bar plates 610, 612 may be welded to the first and
third plates 602, 606. The first and second support bar plates may
be parallel to each other, and perpendicular relative to the first
and third plates. Although edges of the first and second support
bar plates are shown as being welded to the first and third plates,
the invention is not so limited. For example, in an alternative
embodiment, each first and second support bar plate may be
connected by a perpendicular connection plate formed from the same
piece of metal as the first and second support bar plates. The
connection plate may be attached (e.g., welded or bolted) to the
first and third plates 602, 606. In a further alternative
embedment, the first, second, and third plates 602, 604, 606 and
both sets of the first and second support bar plates 610, 612 may
all be formed as a single integral unit, such as by metal
casting.
[0033] The second plate 604 of the connection joint 204 may include
two top bar holes 614. The first and second support bar plates 610,
612 may include two support bar holes 616. As discussed below,
bolts, nuts, and washers may be used with the top bar holes 614 and
support bar holes 616 to attach side support bars 202 and one or
more top bars 206 to the connection joint 204. A top bar plate 210
may include two top bar holes. FIG. 7 is a frontal view of the
connection joint 204 of FIG. 6 attached to a section of the A-frame
exercise rack system 200 of FIG. 2 serving as an end section and
also to a single top bar 206. FIG. 8 is a frontal view of the
connection joint 204 of FIG. 6 attached to a section of the A-frame
exercise rack system 200 of FIG. 2 serving as a middle section and
also to two top bars 206. The number and configuration of sections
may be varied according to application needs. For example, FIGS.
11A-I are schematic representations of an A-frame exercise rack
system 300 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention including a number of sections.
[0034] All or part of the A-frame exercise rack system may be
formed of metal. For example, the connection joint may be formed of
one or more pieces of flat steel that may be bent into a desired
shape. Although, for example, the connection joint is described as
being formed of bent flat steel, the invention is not so limited.
For example, in an alternative embodiment, all or part of the
modular squat stand system may be formed of alternative
materials.
[0035] A method of assembling an A-frame exercise rack system
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is
now described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, which are schematic
representations of the assembly of an A-frame exercise rack system
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 9, two side support bars 202 are attached
to a connection joint 204 to form a section of an A-frame exercise
rack system 200 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention. A top end of a side support bar 202 may be placed
in-between the first and second support bar plates 610, 612. Bolts
902 may be inserted through washers 904, support bar holes 616,
holes of the side support bar 202, second support bar holes 616,
second washers 906 (e.g., spring lock washers), and fastened to
nuts 908. This process may be repeated for a second side support
bar 202. Upon completion of attachment of the two side support bars
202 to the connection joint 204, the assembly of the section of the
A-frame exercise rack system 200 may be complete.
[0037] Referring to FIG. 10, two or more sections of the A-frame
exercise rack system 200 are attached to form the A-frame exercise
rack system 200. A first end of a top bar 206 may be placed in the
top bar channel 608 of a connection joint 204. Specifically, the
first end of the top bar 206 may be placed along half of the length
of the top bar channel 608. For an end section, the remaining
length of the top bar channel 608 may be left empty. For a middle
section, the remaining length of the top bar channel 608 may
receive a second end of a second top bar 206. Bolts 902 may be
inserted through washers 904, top bar holes 614 of the top bar
plate, hole(s) of the top bar 206, second top bar holes 614, second
washers 906, and fastened to nuts 908. A second end of the top bar
206 may similarly be placed in a top bar channel 608 of a second
connection joint 204. This process may be repeated for any number
of sections to be added to the A-frame exercise rack system.
[0038] According to embodiments of the present invention, an
A-frame exercise rack system may be provided. The A-frame exercise
rack system may provide a number of advantages over the related art
exercise rack systems. For instance, the stability of the A-frame
exercise rack system may be improved due to the overall triangular
shape of the A-frame exercise rack system. Further, the A-frame
exercise rack system may require fewer component parts, thereby
requiring lower quantities of raw materials.
[0039] The foregoing description discloses only exemplary
embodiments of the invention. Modifications of the above-disclosed
embodiments of the present invention which fall within the scope of
the invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill
in the art. For instance, although in some embodiments, assembly of
sections is described before connection of the sections, assembly
operations may be performed in a different order. For example,
multiple connection joints may be connected by multiple top bars
first. Thereafter, side support bars may be attached to the
multiple connection joints. Although in some embodiments, a top bar
may be placed along half of a length of a top bar channel, the top
bar may be placed along varying lengths of the top bar channel. For
example, the top bar may be placed along an entire length of the
top bar channel of an end section instead of only half of the
length of the top bar channel.
[0040] Accordingly, although embodiments of the present invention
have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those
skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments
without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention,
the scope of which is defined in the claims and their
equivalents.
* * * * *