U.S. patent application number 15/062840 was filed with the patent office on 2016-09-08 for portable exercise apparatus.
The applicant listed for this patent is Turston Grant. Invention is credited to Turston Grant.
Application Number | 20160256720 15/062840 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56850099 |
Filed Date | 2016-09-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160256720 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Grant; Turston |
September 8, 2016 |
Portable Exercise Apparatus
Abstract
A portable exercise apparatus for mounting above a door frame is
provided. The portable exercise apparatus comprises a clamping
member and a pull up bar mechanism. The clamping member is capable
of being releasably secured above the door frame. A swivel joint is
mounted between the clamping member and the pull up bar mechanism
wherein the swivel joint permits full horizontal rotation of at
least three hundred and sixty (360.degree.) degrees of the pull up
bar mechanism enabling a full rotation pull up workout.
Inventors: |
Grant; Turston; (Jamaica,
NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Grant; Turston |
Jamaica |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
56850099 |
Appl. No.: |
15/062840 |
Filed: |
March 7, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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62129704 |
Mar 6, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/1627 20130101;
A63B 23/1218 20130101; A63B 21/068 20130101; A63B 2210/50 20130101;
A63B 21/4035 20151001; A63B 21/1636 20130101; A63B 21/4049
20151001 |
International
Class: |
A63B 1/00 20060101
A63B001/00; A63B 21/16 20060101 A63B021/16 |
Claims
1. A portable exercise apparatus for mounting above a door frame,
the portable exercise apparatus comprising: a clamping member
capable of being releasably secured above the door frame; a pull up
bar mechanism; and a swivel joint mounted between the clamping
member and the pull up bar mechanism; wherein the swivel joint
permits full horizontal rotation of at least three hundred and
sixty (360.degree.) degrees of the pull up bar mechanism enabling a
full rotation pull up workout.
2. The portable exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein the clamping
member includes an L-shaped first clamping arm having a free end
and a connecting end, an L-shaped second clamping arm having a free
end and a connecting end, with the free ends of the first clamping
arm and the second clamping arm facing each other, and a U-shaped
connecting arm perpendicularly connected between the connecting
ends of the first clamping arm and the second clamping arm.
3. The portable exercise apparatus of claim 2 and further
comprising: a first resilient pad mounted to the free end of the
first clamping arm; and a second resilient pad mounted to the free
end of the second clamping arm.
4. The portable exercise apparatus of claim 2 and further
comprising: a tension mechanism for moving the free ends of the
first clamping arm and the second clamping arm in a general
direction toward each other.
5. The portable exercise apparatus of claim 4 wherein the tension
mechanism is selected from the group consisting of an internal
tensioning spring and a hand turned rotary screw.
6. The portable exercise apparatus of claim 2 wherein the first
clamping arm and the second clamping arm are adjustable relative to
the connecting arm with an adjustable height button lock.
7. The portable exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein the swivel
joint provides rotation of the pull up bar mechanism at least three
hundred and sixty (360.degree.) degrees.
8. The portable exercise apparatus of claim 1 and further
comprising: a vertical bar having a first end and a second end, the
first end of the vertical bar connected to the clamping member; a
first plate secured to the second end of the vertical bar; and a
second plate secured to the pull up bar mechanism; wherein the
swivel joint is connected between the first plate and the second
plate.
9. The portable exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pull up
bar mechanism includes a semicircular bracket and a pull up bar,
and further wherein the pull up bar is supported between two free
ends of the bracket.
10. The portable exercise apparatus of claim 9 wherein the pull up
bar of the pull up bar mechanism is covered with a textured rubber
gripping surface.
11. The portable exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein the swivel
joint is releasably lockable with an adjustable lock screw.
12. The portable exercise apparatus of claim 1 and further
comprising: a drawstring or zippered carry pouch, the portable
exercise apparatus receivable within the carry pouch.
13. A method for constructing a portable exercise apparatus and
mounting above a door frame, the method comprising: providing a
clamping member; providing a pull up bar mechanism; mounting a
swivel joint mounted between the clamping member and the pull up
bar mechanism; releasably securing the clamping member above the
door frame; permitting full horizontal rotation of the pull up bar
mechanism relative to the clamping member; and enabling a full
rotation pull up workout.
14. A portable exercise apparatus for mounting above a door frame,
the portable exercise apparatus comprising: a clamping member
comprising a first clamping arm having an L-shaped free end and a
connecting end, an L-shaped second clamping arm having a free end
and a connecting end, the free ends of the first clamping arm and
the second clamping arm facing each other, and a U-shaped
connecting arm perpendicularly connected between the connecting
ends of the first clamping arm and the second clamping arm; a
tension mechanism for moving the free ends of the first clamping
arm and the second clamping arm in a general direction toward each
other; a pull up bar mechanism comprising a semicircular bracket
and a pull up bar, and further wherein the pull up bar is supported
between two free ends of the bracket; and a swivel joint mounted
between the clamping member and the pull up bar mechanism; wherein
the clamping member is capable of being releasably secured above
the door frame; and wherein the swivel joint permits full
horizontal rotation of at least three hundred and sixty
(360.degree.) degrees of the pull up bar mechanism enabling a full
rotation pull up workout.
15. The portable exercise apparatus of claim 14 and further
comprising: a first resilient pad mounted to the free end of the
first clamping arm; and a second resilient pad mounted to the free
end of the second clamping arm.
16. The portable exercise apparatus of claim 14 wherein the tension
mechanism is selected from the group consisting of an internal
tensioning spring and a hand turned rotary screw.
17. The portable exercise apparatus of claim 14 wherein the first
clamping arm and the second clamping arm are adjustable relative to
the connecting arm with an adjustable height button lock.
18. The portable exercise apparatus of claim 14 and further
comprising: a vertical bar having a first end and a second end, the
first end of the vertical bar connected to the clamping member; a
first plate secured to the second end of the vertical bar; and a
second plate secured to the pull up bar mechanism; wherein the
swivel joint is connected between the first plate and the second
plate.
19. The portable exercise apparatus of claim 14 wherein the pull up
bar of the pull up bar mechanism is covered with a textured rubber
gripping surface.
20. The portable exercise apparatus of claim 14 and further
comprising: a drawstring or zippered carry pouch, the portable
exercise apparatus receivable within the carry pouch.
Description
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
[0001] This patent application claims priority under 35 USC 119 (e)
(1) from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/129,704
filed Mar. 6, 2015, of common inventorship herewith entitled, "Pull
Up 360," which is incorporated herein by reference as though the
same were set forth in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention pertains to the field of exercise
equipment, and more specifically to the field of pull up
devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Being physically active is one of the most effective tools
in increasing one's health of mind, body and spirit. Reducing risk
of heart disease and stroke, physical activity also helps to lower
or control other risk factors such as high blood pressure, high
blood cholesterol, excess body weight and diabetes. A regular
exercise regimen helps an individual look and feel better, become
stronger and more flexible, possess more energy, and reduce stress
and tension.
[0004] More than an approximated five billion dollars is spent on
exercise equipment each year. Exercise and fitness are a big
business and a major concern to a great many people. Exercise
equipment ranges from stair climbing machines and elliptical
trainers to rowing machines, free weights, cable guided weight
training machines, treadmills and stationary bicycles. The biggest
difference between various machines and various forms of training
equipment has far less to do with the configuration of the
equipment than with how often and how effectively that piece of
equipment is used.
[0005] If the equipment is too complicated or takes too long to set
up and break down, the exerciser is less likely to use it for very
long. Some of the most effective fitness products are the simplest
ones. An essential and effective exercise, when performed
consistently, is the simple pull up. Many-exercisers equip a door
frame in their home with an extendable tensioning pull up bar.
[0006] The prior art has put forth several designs for pull up
devices. Among these are:
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 7,540,831 to Stephen G. Hauser, Mark B.
Friedman and Alden M. Mills describes an exercise assembly for
performing a wide array of exercises including pull ups and chin
ups. The exercise assembly includes a bar connected between
rotatable swing arm assemblies. The swing arm assemblies extend
along vertical faces of a frame and are adapted to rotate the bar
from one position between the vertical faces to another position.
The exercise assembly includes at least one handle assembly
removably grasping the central bar and having a handle adapted to
rotate approximately three hundred sixty degrees during
exercise.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 7,066,866 to Mitch T. Mobley describes a chin
up bar assembly with a cross bar and a pair of handles slidably
mounted on the cross bar. The handles are pivotally mounted for
movement between locked and unlocked positions. When a user hangs
from the handles, the handles automatically pivot to the locked
position to frictionally engage the cross bar and prevent sliding
movement of the handles along the cross bar. The handles also are
swiveled during use to exercise different muscles in the user's
arms, chest and back.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,776,033 to William R. Brown describes a
removable chin up bar arrangement that includes spaced body members
situated at opposite ends of a chin up bar extending there between,
the bar being rotatable with respect to the body members. Opposed
pincher members are swingably attached to each of the body members
and are adapted to extend about and hang the body members and the
chin up bar from an overhead support such as the framing extending
about an interior doorway. A gear tooth lock mechanism extends
between the ends of the chin up bar and each of the pincher
members. The lock mechanism moves the pincher members in unison
toward each other and causes the chin up bar to rotate in a first
direction. Upon rotation of the bar in the opposite direction, the
pincher members open away from each other, permitting removal of
the chin up bar arrangement from the doorway.
[0010] None of these prior art references describe the present
invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
portable pull up exercise apparatus containing a fully swivel joint
and is engineered for easy removable installation above a door
frame.
[0012] The present invention is a portable exercise apparatus for
mounting above a door frame. The portable exercise apparatus
comprises a clamping member capable of being releasably secured
above the door frame and a pull up bar mechanism. A swivel joint is
mounted between the clamping member and the pull up bar mechanism
wherein the swivel joint permits full horizontal rotation of at
least three hundred and sixty (360.degree.) degrees of the pull up
bar mechanism enabling a full rotation pull up workout.
[0013] In addition, the present invention is a method for
constructing a portable exercise apparatus and mounting above a
door frame. The method comprises providing a clamping member,
providing a pull up bar mechanism, mounting a swivel joint mounted
between the clamping member and the pull up bar mechanism,
releasably securing the clamping member above the door frame,
permitting full horizontal rotation of the pull up bar mechanism
relative to the clamping member, and enabling a full rotation pull
up workout.
[0014] The present invention further includes a portable exercise
apparatus for mounting above a door frame. The portable exercise
apparatus comprises a clamping member comprising an L-shaped first
clamping arm having a free end and a connecting end, an L-shaped
second clamping arm having a free end and a connecting end with the
free ends of the first clamping arm and the second clamping arm
facing each other, and a U-shaped connecting arm perpendicularly
connected between the connecting ends of the first clamping arm and
the second clamping arm. A tension mechanism moves the free ends of
the first clamping arm and the second clamping arm in a general
direction toward each other. A pull up bar mechanism is provided
and comprises a semicircular bracket and a pull up bar with the
pull up bar is supported between two free ends of the bracket. A
swivel joint is mounted between the clamping member and the pull up
bar mechanism. The clamping member is capable of being releasably
secured above the door frame. The swivel joint permits full
horizontal rotation of at least three hundred and sixty
(360.degree.) degrees of the pull up bar mechanism enabling a full
rotation pull up workout.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a portable
exercise device, constructed in accordance with the present
invention.
[0016] FIG. 2 is another perspective view illustrating the portable
exercise device of FIG. 1, constructed in accordance with the
present invention.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the portable
exercise device, constructed in accordance with the present
invention, showing a rotatable joint component capable of swiveling
a minimum of three hundred sixty (360.degree.) degrees.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] The present invention, hereinafter referred to as a Portable
Exercise Apparatus, indicated generally at 10, is a portable pull
up exercise device intended for household or gym use and engineered
for easy removable installation above a door frame. Unique to the
Portable Exercise Apparatus 10 is a swivel joint 12 that permits
full horizontal rotation of a pull up bar mechanism 14, enabling
users to get a full rotation pull up workout. The Portable Exercise
Apparatus 10 doubles the effectiveness of a home pull up routine by
providing the adjustable, clamping, doorframe pull up bar mechanism
14 with the at least three hundred sixty (360.degree.) degree
horizontal swivel joint 12 which permits a user to combine lateral
rotational twisting motions with the traditional vertical motion of
a pull up.
[0019] The Portable Exercise Apparatus 10 of the present invention
consists of two components, a clamping member 16 for securing the
Portable Exercise Apparatus 10 to the top of a door frame and the
pull up bar mechanism 14 secured to the clamping member 16. The
pull up bar mechanism 14 is joined to the clamping member 16 by the
three hundred sixty (360.degree.) degree swivel joint 12.
[0020] The clamping member 16 of the Portable Exercise Apparatus 10
of the present invention includes an L-shaped first clamping arm 18
having a free end and a connecting end, an L-shaped second clamping
arm 20 having a free end and a connecting end, and a U-shaped
connecting arm 22 connected between the connecting ends of the
first clamping arm 18 and the second clamping arm 20. The free ends
of the first clamping arm 18 and the second clamping arm 20 face
each other. Basically, the combined first clamping arm 18, the
second clamping arm 20, and the connecting arm 22 creates a
clamping member 16 substantially rectangular or squared in aspect,
describing a supine C-shaped clamping member 16. The two opposing
clamping arms, i.e., the first clamping arm 18 and the second
clamping arm 20, are fitted with rubber gripping pads 24 at the
free ends of the clamping arms 18, 20. The first clamping arm 18
and the second clamping arm 20 of the clamping member 16 are
preferably adjustably tensioned with an internal tensioning spring
or a hand turned rotary screw. The first clamping arm 18 and the
second clamping arm 20 releasably secure the Portable Exercise
Apparatus 10 to each side of a door frame as the first clamping arm
18 and the second clamping arm 20 grip neatly above the soffit or
door trim to squeeze against the header. In a preferred embodiment,
the first clamping arm 18 and the second clamping arm 20 are
adjustable relative to the connecting arm 22 allowing the clamping
member 16 to fit any and all door frames. Once again, in a
preferred embodiment, the first clamping arm 18 and the second
clamping arm 20 include an adjustable height button lock 21 to
releasably secure the first clamping arm 18 and the second clamping
arm 20 in a desired location.
[0021] Centered on the connecting arm 22 of the clamping member 16
of the Portable Exercise Apparatus 10 of the present invention and
within the door frame, is a short descending vertical bar or
cylinder 26. In an embodiment, at the base of the vertical bar or
cylinder 26 is a pair of flat circular disks or plates that are
joined with a full rotation, i.e., at least three hundred sixty
(360.degree.) degrees, horizontally oriented ball bearing swivel
joint 12. It should be noted that while a particular type of swivel
joint 12 has been described an illustrated herein, it is within the
scope of the present invention to use any type of swivel joint 12.
An adjustable lock screw 27 can be provided to releasably secure
the swivel joint 12 from rotating, as desired.
[0022] Mounted to the swivel joint of the Portable Exercise
Apparatus 10 of the present invention, below the clamping member
16, is the pull up mechanism 14. Preferably, the pull up mechanism
14 includes a descending semicircular bracket 28 having two ends
supporting a pull up bar 30 between them. In a preferred
embodiment, the bracket 28 is constructed from a steel material
although constructing the bracket 28 from another type of material
is within the scope of the present invention. For a safe and
comfortable grip, the pull up bar 30 is preferably finished with a
textured rubber gripping surface thereby providing a safe and
comfortable grip for the user.
[0023] The Portable Exercise Apparatus 10 of the present invention
preferably measures approximately eight (8'') inches to twelve
(12'') inches in height and approximately three (3'') inches to
five (5'') inches in width. The pull up bar 30 of the pull up bar
mechanism 14 preferably measures approximately five (5'') inches in
length.
[0024] The Portable Exercise Apparatus 10 of the present invention
is preferably available in sets of two to accommodate each hand. In
addition, the clamping member 16 of the Portable Exercise Apparatus
10 is preferably manufactured using strong and durable yet
lightweight materials such as injection molded polycarbonate. The
rotary swivel joint 12 and the pull up bar mechanism 14 are
preferably fabricated in steel. It should be noted that while a
particular material has been described for constructing the
clamping member 16, the swivel joint 12, and the pull up bar
mechanism 14, it is within the scope of the present invention to
use any type of material suitable for strength and durability.
[0025] Furthermore, each Portable Exercise Apparatus 10 of the
present invention is packaged with instructions for mounting the
Portable Exercise Apparatus 10 securely above a door frame as well
as instructional material on using the Portable Exercise Apparatus
10. A handy, drawstring or zippered carry pouch for travel and/or
storage of the Portable Exercise Apparatus 10 can also be
included.
[0026] The Portable Exercise Apparatus 10 of the present invention
provides users with a self-contained, easily portable exercise
apparatus that is set up within moments in virtually any doorway.
The
[0027] Portable Exercise Apparatus 10 provides a full range of both
conventional pull up exercises and pull ups with twists and lateral
rotation. With its unique swiveling capability, the present
invention doubles the effectiveness of a pull up workout, as the
rotational twisting motions combined with a variety of bar gripping
techniques vigorously works all the major muscle groups of the body
in an intense cardiovascular workout. The Portable Exercise
Apparatus 10 is constructed for using at home and when travelling
away from home. Fabricated in a tough and durable synthetic
polymer, the compact and lightweight Portable Exercise Apparatus 10
of the present invention fits easily into a suitcase or overnight
bag as the perfect exercise accessory for any health conscious
person traveling on business or pleasure. Clever in conception and
fabricated of high quality materials for a long and dependable
working life, the Portable Exercise Apparatus 10 will withstand
many years of effective and continued use.
[0028] Although this invention has been described with respect to
specific embodiments, it is not intended to be limited thereto and
various modifications which will become apparent to the person of
ordinary skill in the art are intended to fall within the spirit
and scope of the invention as described herein taken in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings and the appended claim.
* * * * *