U.S. patent application number 15/267981 was filed with the patent office on 2017-01-05 for functional exercise device.
This patent application is currently assigned to Abelbeck Partners, Ltd.. The applicant listed for this patent is Kevin Gene Abelbeck. Invention is credited to Kevin Gene Abelbeck.
Application Number | 20170001062 15/267981 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50475833 |
Filed Date | 2017-01-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170001062 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Abelbeck; Kevin Gene |
January 5, 2017 |
Functional Exercise Device
Abstract
An exercise device with a frame which may include a longitudinal
center section, defining a first end and a second end, and two
substantially equal end sections, one of each of the end sections
may be coupled to the first end and the second end of the center
section substantially at a midpoint with respect to the width and
the height of the end sections. One or more pins may be coupled to
the frame between the first end and the second end, the pins
adapted to receive weight plates. A bumper may be coupled to the
top and bottom of the end sections. A sled frame may be added to
the device to convert the device to a functional sled with
different configurations. The sled skids may be removable to be
easily repositioned, removed or replaced when worn.
Inventors: |
Abelbeck; Kevin Gene; (Fort
Collins, CO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Abelbeck; Kevin Gene |
Fort Collins |
CO |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Abelbeck Partners, Ltd.
Fort Collins
CO
|
Family ID: |
50475833 |
Appl. No.: |
15/267981 |
Filed: |
September 16, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
14107757 |
Dec 16, 2013 |
9446281 |
|
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15267981 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/0004 20130101;
A63B 23/12 20130101; A63B 21/4035 20151001; A63B 21/0728 20130101;
A63B 23/03525 20130101; A63B 21/0628 20151001; A63B 21/0724
20130101; A63B 23/1209 20130101; A63B 21/0601 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63B 21/072 20060101
A63B021/072; A63B 21/00 20060101 A63B021/00 |
Claims
1. An exercise device, comprising: a sled frame including a frame
receiver including a first end and a second end, and a frame
support adapted to fasten the frame receiver to a mounting plate;
and a sled skid including: a skid extension adapted to be
releasably coupled to the first end or the second end of each frame
receiver; a skid base with a first end and a second end, the skid
base mounted to the skid extension; a skid rail mounted to the skid
base; and a skid rib coupled to the skid base and the skid rail at
a position between the first end and the second end of the skid
base.
2. The exercise device according to claim 1, further comprising a
handle including a handle extension adapted to be releasably
coupled to the first end or the second end of the frame receiver,
the handle further comprising a handle bar mounted to the handle
extension.
3. The exercise device according to claim 1, wherein the sled frame
includes a first lock coupled to the first end of the frame
receiver and a second lock coupled to the second end of the frame
receiver.
4. The exercise device according to claim 3, wherein the first lock
and the second lock each include a lock pin adapted to be received
by a pin receiver in the skid extension of the sled skid.
5. The exercise device according to claim 4, wherein the pin
receiver on the skid extension of the sled skid is an elongated
slot, whereby the pin may be received in the elongated slot, the
skid may still move with respect to the lock, within the limits of
the elongated slot.
6. The exercise device according to claim 4, wherein the pin
receiver is located in two opposing sides of the skid extension,
providing a pin receiver on either side of the sled skid.
7. The exercise device according to claim 3, wherein the first lock
and the second lock are each comprised of a spring biased pin.
8. The exercise device according to claim 1, wherein the sled frame
is further comprised of a first frame receiver and a second frame
receiver positioned substantially parallel to one another and a
frame cross bar connecting the first frame receiver to the second
frame receiver.
9. The exercise device according to claim 8, wherein the frame
cross bar is positioned closer to the first end of the first frame
receiver than it is to the second end of the first frame
receiver.
10. The exercise device according to claim 1, wherein the skid rail
includes an arcuate portion.
11. The exercise device according to claim 1, further comprising a
double flange bushing provided near the first end and the second
end of each of the first frame receiver and the second frame
receiver, the double flange bushing secured to the first frame
receiver and the second frame receiver and adapted to receive the
skid extension of the sled skid.
12. The exercise device according to claim 1, further including a
warning label positioned on an upper extension of the skid base of
the sled skid.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION DATA
[0001] This application is a division of application Ser. No.
14/107,757, filed on Dec. 16, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,446,281,
which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
12/930,996, filed on Jan. 22, 2011, which is now U.S. Pat. No.
8,622,878.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention generally relates to exercise devices
and, more particularly, to exercise devices which enable simulation
of a functional activity and may be converted to an alternative
training device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Exercise has been shown to have significant benefits to the
general population as well as athletes of all types. The term
Functional Training has started to become more popular recently.
Functional Training may be referred to as "purposeful training", as
it is not exercise for the sake of exercise, or exercise to build a
bigger biceps muscle. Functional training is performing exercises
to simulate an activity or motion used on the playing field or in
life.
[0004] Endurance athletes have traditionally trained functionally.
If they are runners, they run. If they are cyclists, they ride.
Many athletes fall under the umbrella of strength and power.
Throwing a discus, jumping and sprinting are better equated to
power development than to strength as an optimal result is the work
done over the shortest amount of time. A football lineman exploding
off the line to meet his opponent relies on his power for optimal
performance. Holding his position against the forces of the
opponent uses his strength. An athlete's strength is important when
it comes to slow movements under a great deal of resistance. Power
is important when the movement is fast. It is easy to see that both
strength and power are important in many physical events.
[0005] Functional training in strength and power has only started
to gain popularity. Functional strength training in a gym or weight
room has previously been limited due to the lack of equipment
available to simulate functional events. A barbell squat is very
good for developing strength in the lower body extensor muscles of
the user, but it is only functional if that athlete competes by
lifting a bar placed on his back. For a power lifter, it is
functional, as this type of lifting is how that athlete competes.
For the football lineman, a squat may be a good supplementary
exercise to build strength, but the conditions on the field are far
from replicated in a squat rack. On the field, the athlete will
move and step. Under load they may be momentarily balanced on one
foot. Load may be applied to the hands and supported by the feet on
the ground, thus the arms to the torso to the legs are all under
stress. Little, if any, gym based exercise equipment truly prepares
the athlete for these conditions.
[0006] One item currently used by strength and conditioning
professionals is an old truck tire. The tire may be laid flat on
the ground or turf. The user approaches the tire, puts their hands
under the lower edge of the tire and then lifts the tire to
vertical and pushes it over. Though this presents a very functional
movement, the tire has several limitations as a form of resistance.
First, the weight cannot be changed to accommodate different users
or progressive resistance as an athlete increases in strength and
power. The diameter and thickness (height) are different for many
tires and are therefore inconsistent from one program to the next.
New tires can cost tens of thousands of dollars and are therefore,
not practical. The usual process is to buy tires before they are
recycled. This presents a "this is what is available, take it or
leave it" situation for the strength coach and his athletes. In
addition, a 700 pound tire cannot be broken down to a 200 pound
frame, that may be more easily moved and stored, and 500 pounds of
weight plates that can be used elsewhere. The tire was designed to
be a tire and not a piece of exercise equipment, so there are other
natural limitations such as the lack of proper handles. Also, worn
tires often have exposed steel belts that can rub against the
athlete's arms, resulting in injury to the athlete and limiting the
weight they can lift due to an inability to hold on to the tire. A
tire also requires a supinated grip, which predisposes the athlete
to distal biceps tendon stress. Many a strength athlete wears the
scar of a biceps tendon surgery as a result of the combination of a
very high load and a supinated grip. A similar lift only using a
pronated grip rarely if ever results in damage to the tendons in
the elbow.
[0007] Another clear advantage of any product, and exercise
equipment is not unique, is the ability to easily convert any
device to perform a different function. The ability to add or
remove sled skids on a piece of functional training equipment
allows additional function at minimal cost, because much of the
structure of the original equipment is used for both purposes. With
budget limitations and equipment purchases being more competitive,
multiple function capability of any piece of equipment may be
desired.
[0008] It should, therefore, be appreciated that there is a need
for a functional training device that allows for altering
resistance for different users, as well as enables progressive
training as the user increases in strength and power development.
The present invention fulfills this need and others.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention may include a frame with a
longitudinal center section, defining a first end and a second end,
and two substantially equal end sections. One of each of the end
sections may be coupled to the first end and the second end of the
center section, substantially at a midpoint with respect to the
width and the height of the end sections. The frame may also
include a pin adapted to receive a weight plate, which may be
coupled to the center section, between the first end and the second
end. A bumper may be coupled to a top and a bottom of each of the
end sections, whereby the device may be supported by two of the
bumpers and flipped over to be supported by the other two
bumpers.
[0010] The frame may be substantially symmetrical about three
orthogonal planes intersecting at a geometric center of the frame.
The bumper may be a substantially longitudinal member with a hollow
cavity. A bumper plate may be inserted into the hollow cavity of
the substantially longitudinal bumper. The bumper plate may include
fasteners enabling fastening to the end sections, whereby a bumper
located between the end section and the bumper plate may be thereby
coupled to the end section by the bumper plate. The bumper plate
may be substantially longitudinal and include a flange along a long
side of the bumper plate or along both long sides of the bumper
plate.
[0011] The invention may further include a handle coupled to each
of the two substantially equal end sections of the frame. The
invention may also include a chest support coupled to each of the
two substantially equal end sections of the frame. The chest
support may also be coupled directly to one bumper.
[0012] The invention may also include a sled frame with a frame
receiver. The frame receiver may include a first end and a second
end, and a frame support adapted to fasten the frame receiver to a
mounting plate. A sled skid may be included, which may include a
skid extension adapted to be releasably coupled to the first end or
the second end of the frame receiver. The sled skid may also
include a skid base with a first end and a second end. The skid
base may be mounted to the skid extension. A skid rail may be
mounted to the skid base and may include an arcuate portion. A skid
rib may be coupled to the skid base and the skid rail at a position
between the first end and the second end of the skid base.
[0013] A handle may be included, with a handle extension adapted to
be releasably coupled to the first end or the second end of the
frame receiver. The handle may further include a handle bar mounted
to the handle extension.
[0014] The sled frame may include a first lock coupled to the first
end of the frame receiver and a second lock coupled to the second
end of the frame receiver. The first lock and the second lock may
each include a lock pin adapted to be received by a pin receiver in
the skid extension of the sled skid. The pin receiver on the skid
extension of the sled skid may be in the shape of an elongated
slot, whereby the pin may be received in the elongated slot and the
skid may still move with respect to the lock, within the limits of
the elongated slot. The pin receiver may be located in two opposing
sides of the skid extension, thereby providing a pin receiver on
either side of the sled skid. The first lock and the second lock
may each be comprised of a spring biased pin.
[0015] The sled frame may include a first frame receiver and a
second frame receiver and a frame cross bar connecting the first
frame receiver to the second frame receiver. The frame cross bar
may be positioned nearer to the first end of the first frame
receiver and the first end of the second frame receiver than it is
to the second end of the first frame receiver and the second frame
receiver.
[0016] A bushing may be provided near the first end and the second
end of each of the first frame receiver and the second frame
receiver. The bushing may include a double flange to aid in
securing the bushing to the first frame receiver and the second
frame receiver. The bushing may be adapted to receive the skid
extension of the sled skid and the handle extension of the
handle.
[0017] For purposes of summarizing the invention and the advantages
achieved over the prior art, certain advantages of the invention
have been described herein above. Of course, it is to be understood
that not necessarily all such advantages can be achieved in
accordance with any particular embodiment of the invention. Thus,
for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the
invention can be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves
or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein
without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or
suggested herein.
[0018] All of these embodiments are intended to be within the scope
of the invention herein disclosed. These and other embodiments of
the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled
in the art from the following description of the preferred
embodiments and drawings, the invention not being limited to any
particular preferred embodiment(s) disclosed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described,
by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings,
in which:
[0020] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an exercise device enabling
functional exercise with a varied resistance, in accordance with
the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a top view of the exercise device shown in FIG.
1.
[0022] FIG. 3 is a front view of the exercise device shown in FIG.
1.
[0023] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a variation to the exercise
device of FIG. 1, which is adapted to handle additional weight and
also includes additional bumpers.
[0024] FIG. 5 is a top view of the exercise device of FIG. 4.
[0025] FIG. 6 is a front view of the exercise device of FIG. 4.
[0026] FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the exercise device of FIG. 1
with a bumper and pumper plate displaced.
[0027] FIG. 8 is a detail view of the displaced bumper and bumper
plate of FIG. 7 shown along line 8-8.
[0028] FIG. 9 is an isometric view of the exercise device of FIG. 1
with the sled conversion assembly attached to each end of the
exercise device and fully assembled as it may be used to convert
the exercise device of FIG. 1 into an exercise sled.
[0029] FIG. 10 is an isometric exploded view of a sled conversion
assembly adapted for use with a functional exercise device as shown
as it may be used in FIG. 9.
[0030] FIG. 11 is an isometric view of frame bushing which may be
used in a frame receiver of a sled assembly.
[0031] FIG. 12 is an isometric view of a sled skid of FIG. 10,
shown with a simulated warning label.
[0032] FIG. 13 is an example of a warning label as generally
depicted in FIG. 13.
[0033] FIG. 14 is an isometric view of the exercise device of FIG.
1 with the sled frames of FIG. 10 attached thereto.
[0034] FIG. 15 is an isometric view of a variation to the exercise
device of FIG. 1 with the sled conversion assembly of FIG. 10
attached to each end of the exercise device and fully assembled as
it may be used, the sled skids having the warning labels as in FIG.
14.
[0035] FIG. 16 is a detailed view of a skid on the device of FIG.
15, shown along line 16-16.
[0036] FIG. 17 is an isometric view of the exercise device of FIG.
1 with the sled frames of FIG. 10 attached to each end of the
exercise device and an alternative sled assembly arrangement with
sled skids on only one end of the exercise device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0037] With reference to the illustrative drawings, and
particularly to FIGS. 1- 3, there is shown a functional exercise
device 20. The device 20 may include a frame 22, comprising a
longitudinal center section 24. This longitudinal center section 24
may include a first end 26 and a second end 28. Two substantially
equal end sections 30 may be positioned one on the first end 26 and
a second on the second end 28 of the longitudinal center section
24. The two substantially equal end sections 30 may be coupled to
the respective ends of the longitudinal center section 24 and a
midpoint with respect to the width (W) and height (H) of the end
sections 30.
[0038] A pin 32 may be coupled to the center section 24 between the
first end 26 and the second end 28. The pin 32 may be adapted to
receive and support a weight plate. In this embodiment, two pins 32
are positioned along the longitudinal center section 24 of the
frame 22, and extend outwardly in both directions from the
longitudinal center section 24. This would allow a weight plate to
be placed on any one of four different positions on the device 20.
Spring collars 34 may be releasably coupled to the pins 32 to
secure a weight plate on the pin 32 of the device 20. The spring
collars 34 are illustrated in one of many forms that these may take
in that pressing the handles together increases the diameter of the
coil allowing the spring collar 34 to be placed on the pin 32 or
removed from the pin 32. The natural position of the spring collar
34 is such that it tightens down onto the pin 32, holding it in
place with respect to the device 20.
[0039] A bumper 36 may be coupled to the top and bottom of each end
section 30. As is shown in FIG. 1, the device 20 may rest on the
bottom bumpers 36 or flipped over to rest on what are now the top
bumpers 36. Regardless of the orientation, the device 20 will
present itself to the user in a uniform manner, regardless of its
orientation as described, in that the device 20 is substantially
symmetrical about all three orthogonal planes intersecting at a
geometric center of the frame 22, as illustrated in the
3-dimensional axis coordinate system located about the center of
the longitudinal center section 24. This is further illustrated in
FIG. 2, which shows a top view of the device 20, and in FIG. 3,
which shows a side view of the device. The 3-dimensional coordinate
system is shown in FIGS. 1-3 as for illustrative purposes.
[0040] The device 20 may also include handle 38 coupled to each of
the two substantially equal end sections 30 of the frame 22. In
this embodiment, there is shown more than one set of handles 38.
One handle 38 may be positioned above the other on the first end 26
and similarly on the second end 28 of the frame 22. The handles 38
may provide a functional structure in which to grasp and transfer
power to the device 20 in order to lift that end and flip it over,
thus performing the exercise. Spotter handles 40 may be located
laterally from the handles 38. If desired, the spotter handles 40
may also be used by the lifter to lift and flip the device 20. In
addition, the spotter handles 40 may be used by someone assisting
the lifter as a safety feature, to help guide, assist, or take over
for the lifter if the lifter experiences any problems during the
lift.
[0041] A chest support 42 may be coupled to each of the two
substantially equal end sections 30 of the frame 22. In this
embodiment, the device 20 may include two chest supports 42 on the
first end 26 and the second end 28. The two chest supports 42 may
be vertically displaced one from the other and substantially
equidistant from the midpoint of each end sections 30. In this
embodiment, the chest supports 42 may also be coupled to the bumper
36 by way of the side bumper bolts 44. Coupling the chest supports
42 to the bumper 36 with the side bumper bolts 44 may help to
mitigate the shear forces applied to the chest support 42 when the
device 20 is being flipped. The shear forces tend to pull the chest
support 42 away from the bumper 36 on the device 20. The side
bumper bolts 44 may help keep the chest supports 42 in place.
[0042] An alternative to this embodiment is shown in FIGS. 4-6. In
this embodiment of the invention, the device 20' may include a
slightly modified frame 22'. In addition, the end sections 30' of
the first end 26' and the second end 28' may be adapted to handle
additional weight. As is shown in FIG. 4 there may be two bumpers
36 on the top and the bottom of each end section 30'. The chest
support 42, handles 38, including the spotter handles 40 may be
similar to that as previously disclosed, and have substantially the
same function.
[0043] The frame 22' may include a top rail 46 and bottom rail 48,
which each may be supported to the longitudinal center section 24
by way of one or more support members 50. The combination of the
top rail 46, the bottom rail 48, and the support members 50,
mounted to the longitudinal center section 24 may increase the
section modulus of the combination relative to the longitudinal
center section 24 alone. The greater section modulus of the frame
22' allows for a greater load to be applied to the pins 32. With
some basic structural modifications, such as this to the frame 22',
a variety of devices 20' may be adapted for different conditions,
thereby meeting the needs of the numerous populations of athletes.
The lengths of the pins 32 may also be adjusted to accommodate
greater or fewer weight plates. This can be seen in the lengths of
the pins 32 in the device 20 shown in FIGS. 1-3 relative to the
lengths of the pins 32 in the device 20' shown in FIGS. 4-6. Longer
the pin 32, the greater number of weight plates may be received by
the pin 32, and secured by the spring collar 34. The device 20' as
shown in FIGS. 4-6 may be adapted to handle a greater load as
compared to the device 20 shown in FIGS. 1-3. As such, the pins 32
in the heavier version of the device 20' may be longer than the
pins 32 in the lighter version of the device 20.
[0044] As is shown in the embodiment in FIG. 6, it may be desirable
to sequence the contact with the bumpers 36 against the supporting
surface, such as the floor, turf field, or the ground. An advantage
to stepping the contact of the bumpers 36 with the supporting
surface may be to reduce the impulse transferred to the frame 22'
when the bumpers 36 contact the ground when the device 20' is
flipped over. The bumpers 36 may be produced of a rubber or other
material with elastic properties. This will allow the bumper 36 to
deform when the device 20' is flipped over and the bumpers 36
contact the ground. Allowing the bumpers 36 to deform increases the
time over which the contact with the ground is made. This in turn,
reduces the maximum force of the impulse. By stepping, or
offsetting the height of the bumpers, as shown here by the
dimension "X", the bumper 36 nearest the chest support 42 may make
contact with the ground first, be deformed slightly, by the
dimension "X" and then contact the adjacent bumper 36 farther away
from the chest support 42, to then aid in dissipating the energy of
the impact with the ground. This duel, stepped bumper 36 design, in
combination may allow for the greater structural ability required
with heavier loads, without potentially making an excessively rigid
bumper 36. By simply doubling the bumpers 36 evenly and having them
contact the ground simultaneously, the bumpers 36, in combination,
may be too stiff, resulting in excessively high impact loads to the
frame 22' when contacting the ground as a result of being flipped
over.
[0045] With regard to FIGS. 7-8, the device 20 is shown with a
bumper 36 displaced from the end section 30 of the frame 22. The
detail of the bumper 36 and bumper plate 52 is shown in FIG. 8. As
previously noted, the bumper 36 may be constructed of a material
with elastic properties. In addition, the physical shape of the
bumper 36 may also facilitate the controlled deceleration of the
device 20 at impact of the device 20 with the ground. One way of
enabling a controlled structural elastic deformation of the bumper
36 may be to make the bumper hollow, thus providing a hollow cavity
54 in the bumper 36. The presence of the hollow cavity 54 in the
bumper 36 may also facilitate fastening the bumper 36 to the end
section 30 of the frame 22. This may be done by providing a bumper
plate 52, which may be received by the hollow cavity 54 of the
bumper 36. The bumper plates 52 may include one or more fasteners
56, so that a bolt 58 received by the end section 30 of the frame
22 may pass through the bottom portion 60 of the bumper 36 and be
received by the fastener 56, which may be part of the bumper plate
52.
[0046] When the device 20 is flipped over, and the bumper 36
contacts the ground, there may be forward momentum associated with
the device 20 at the point of impact with the ground. This forward
momentum, in a direction away from the lifter, may cause a shear
force between the bumper 36 in the end section 30 of the frame 22.
The bumper plates 52 may act as an extension of the frame 22 in
that they may be fastened to the end section 30 of the frame 22. As
such, the resistance to the shear force placed on the bumper 36 at
the point of impact with the ground may be mitigated by the
friction between the bottom portion 60 of the bumper 36 and the end
section 30 of the frame 22 and a reaction force of an outer edge of
a long side 62 of the bumper plate 52 against the inside of the
bumper 36.
[0047] If a shear force that is applied to the bumper 36 is greater
than the friction between the bumper 36 and the end section 30 of
the frame 22, the resultant force required to keep the bottom
portion 60 of the bumper 36 substantially stationary with respect
to the end section 30 of the frame 22 will be the force applied by
the long side 62 of the bumper plate 52 against the inside of the
bumper 36. This resultant force will be applied by the long side 62
of the bumper plate 52 against an inside edge of the hollow cavity
54 of the bumper 36. If the bumper plate 52 is substantially flat,
providing only the thickness of the material of the bumper plate 52
contacting the inside of the hollow cavity 54 of the bumper 36, a
substantial pressure may be applied on a concentrated area along
the inside of the hollow cavity 54 of the bumper 36.
[0048] It may be desirable to increase the contact area between the
long side 62 of the bumper plates 52 and the inside edge of the
hollow cavity 54 of the bumper 36. By increasing the surface area
of contact between the bumper plate 52 and the bumper 36, the
pressure in this area along the inside of the bumper 36 decreases
proportionally with the increase in surface area. With that in
mind, a flange 64 may be provided on one or both of the long sides
62 of the bumper plates 54. The force applied along the long side
62 of the bumper plate 52 against the inside of the bumper 36 may
typically only be on one side of the bumper 36, so that may suggest
only one flange 64 is needed. It may be desirable to put a flange
64 on both long sides 62 of the bumper plate 52 to increase the
structural strength of the bumper plate 52 so that it has less of a
tendency to deformed as a result of the tension provided by the
bolts 58. Also, if the bumper plate 52 includes a flange 64 along
both long sides 62, this eliminates a potential error in assembly
where the bumper plate 52 could be assembled with the flange 64 on
the wrong side relative to the bumper 36.
[0049] With reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, the device 20 is shown
with a sled conversion assembly 66 attached to both the first end
26 and the second end 28 of the device 20. Each sled conversion
assembly 66 may include a sled frame 68, which may be coupled to a
mounting plate 70 on the end portion 30 of the exercise device 20.
In FIG. 10 the sled conversion assembly 66 is shown in more detail,
in a partially disassembled condition and removed from the exercise
device 20. The sled frame 68 may be comprised of a first frame
receiver 72 and a second frame receiver 74, positioned adjacent to
and substantially parallel to the first frame receiver 72. The
first frame receiver 72 may include a first end 76 any second end
78. A frame support 80 may be included on the first frame receiver
72 and the second frame receiver 74. The frame support 80 may be
adapted to fasten the frame receivers (72 & 74) to the mounting
plate 70 (FIG. 9) on the exercise device 20 with the mounting
screws 82.
[0050] As is shown in FIG. 10, a sled skid 84 may include a sled
extension 86, which may be releasably coupled to the first end 76,
or the second end 78 of the first frame receiver 72 or the second
frame receiver 74. The sled skid 84 may also include a skid base 88
mounted to the skid extension 86 and supporting a skid rail 90. A
skid rib 92 may be coupled to the skid base 88 and the skid rail 90
at a position between a first end 94 the second end 96 of the skid
base 88. As was shown in FIG. 9, the sled conversion assembly 66
may be used in conjunction with the exercise device 20.
[0051] In that the exercise device 20 may be used by flipping the
device 20, the first end 26 flipped over the second end 28, or vice
versa, it may be valuable that the sled skids 84 of the sled
conversion assembly 66 be adapted to anticipate an inadvertent
landing of the exercise device 20 on the sled skids 84. As
previously noted, the bumpers 36 of the exercise device 20 may be
adapted to dissipate the energy associated with the weight of the
device 20 landing on the ground in a forceful manner after being
flipped. The bumpers 36 may contact the ground directly. If the
sled skids 84 are coupled to the sled frame 86 when the device 20
is flipped, it is possible that the sled skids 84 may make contact
with the ground directly, and not the bumpers 36 as may be
intended. Though the sled skid 84 may be positioned on top of the
bumper 36 with the skid base 88 in direct contact with the bumper
36, a direct impact between the sled skid 84 and the ground may
provide a high force to the sled frame 68 or the device 20. This
high force caused by the sled skid 84 impacting with the ground
could result in structural damage to the device 20. In an effort to
prevent such damage to the device 20, in the event that someone
inadvertently flipped the device 20 over onto the ground with sled
skids 84 attached, the sled skids 84 may include a gap 98 between
this skid base 88 and the skid rail 90. To add some structural
support between the skid base 88 and the skid rail 90, the skid rib
92 may be provided in this gap 98.
[0052] The skid rib 90 may provide enough structural integrity so
as to maintain the gap 98 between the skid base 88 and the skid
rail 90 when loads are applied to the sled skid 84 under normal
use, in other words, being supported on, but not being dropped on
the sled skids 84. In the course of use, it may happen that a very
high force is applied to the skid rail 90 of the sled skid 84, such
as may be experienced if the sled skids 84 are attached to the
exercise device 20, and the device 20 has been flipped over on the
sled skids 84. If this happened, the sled skids 84 may contact the
ground directly and not the bumper 36 of the exercise device 20. In
this situation the skid rib 92 may act as a crumple zone to absorb
the energy provided by the exercise device 20 being flipped onto
the ground and landing on the sled skids 84. This energy may be
absorbed by deforming the structure of the skid rib 92 and thereby
decreasing the gap 98. This may result in making the sled skid 84
inoperable, but this relatively inexpensive and easily replaced
item of the sled skid 84 may prevent any structural damage to the
frame 22 of the device 20. By crushing the sled skid 84 and thereby
deforming the skid rib 92, it may also alert the user that
something is not right and they should cease the activity of
flipping the exercise device 20 with the sled skids 84
attached.
[0053] It is also understood that a single frame receiver 72 may be
used with a single sled skid 84 on the first end 26 and the second
end 28 of the exercise deice 20. Though this is a viable
alternative embodiment, it may be desired to have two frame
receivers (72 and 74) and two sled skids 84, and as such is shown
in these embodiments.
[0054] The sled conversion assembly 66 may also include a handle
100. The handle 100 may include handle extension 102 and a
handlebar 104 mounted to the handle extension 102. The handle
extension 102 may be similar or even identical to the sled
extension 86, in that the function of each is to be received by a
first and 76 or a second and 78 of the first frame receiver 72 or
the second frame receiver 74. A handlebar 104 may be asymmetrical
with regard to the handle extension 102. The asymmetry of the
handlebar 104 of the handle 100 and may allow more than one
position of the handlebar 104 relative to the sled frame 68 when
the handle extension 102 is received by one of the frame receivers
(72 and 74). This ability to provide alternate positions of the
handles is illustrated in FIG. 9 in that the handles 100 near the
first end 26 are positioned close to one another in contrast to the
handles 100 positioned near the second end 28 are positioned wider.
A handle plate 105 may be provided on the handle extension 102 in
near the handlebar 104. The handle plate may contact the top of the
bumper 36 of the exercise device 20 when the handle 100 is received
by the frame receivers 72 and 74.
[0055] Releasably securing the sled skids 84 and the handles 100 to
the frame receivers 72 and 74 of the sled frame 68, may be
accomplished by providing a first lock 106 near the first end of
the frame receivers 72 and 74, and a second lock 108 near the
second end of the frame receivers 72 and 74. The first lock 106 and
the second lock 108 may be identical in structure and function to
one another, as is depicted here. The first lock 106 and the second
lock 108 may each include a lock pin 110. The lock pin 110 may be
actuated by pulling on the knob 112, which may compress a spring
located within the lock housing 114. The spring may bias the lock
pin 110 in a direction opposite to the knob 112 with respect to the
lock housing 114. The lock pin 110 may then extend beyond the lock
housing 114 and be received by the pin receiver 116 in the sled
extension 86, and the handle extension 102. The pin receiver 116
may be comprised of an elongated slot as depicted in FIG. 10.
[0056] The elongated slot shape of the pin receiver 116 may have
more than one advantage. One advantage may be the ability to
receive the lock pin 110 within a dimension limited by the long
dimension of the elongated slot shape of the pin receiver 116. This
may allow for manufacturing tolerances as well as the fit of the
sled skid 84 or the handle 100 as restricted by contact against the
bumper 36 of the exercise device 20. In that the bumper 36 of the
exercise device 20 is designed to allow for some deformation over
time, it may be desirable to provide for some variation in the
position relative to the ability to lock the sled skids 84 and
handles 100 into the sled frame 68. This may be desirable due to
some variation seen in the shape of the bumper 36 of the exercise
device 20 in the manufacturing processes and any wear over
time.
[0057] A second advantage to the elongated slot shape of the pin
receiver 116 may be that some movement of the sled skid 84 within
the sled frame 68 may be allowed in that the skid base 88 may be
supported on the bumper 36, thereby allowing for some movement of
the sled skid 84 relative to the sled frame 68. If the device 20
were to be dropped from a short distance onto the sled skids 84,
the sled skids 84 may not deform as the force applied by the skid
base 88 may be transferred to the top of the bumper 36 of the
exercise device 20. Allowing some movement in the sled skids 84 or
handles 100 may allow the bumper 36 to deform slightly, thus the
bumper 36 may absorb the energy and not transmit that force
directly into the sled frame 68.
[0058] Both the handle extension 102 of the handle 100 and sled
extension 86 of the sled skid 84 may include a pin receiver 116 on
both sides of the sled extension 86 and handle extension 102.
Having a pin receiver 116 on both sides of the sled extensions 86
in handle extensions 102 may enable the sled skids 84 and the
handles 100 to be received by the first frame receiver 72 or the
second frame receiver 74 interchangeably, so as not to require a
right sled skid and a left sled skid. In addition, the handles 100
may not only be received by the first frame receiver 72 or the
second frame receiver 74, the handles 100 may also be rotated
180.degree. to have the handle bars 104 facing out away from one
another or in toward one another, thereby adding additional
variability to the user.
[0059] It may be desirable to provide a controlled bearing surface
between the outside of the handle extensions 102 and the sled
extensions 86 with regard to the receivers 72 and 74 of the sled
frame 68. The receivers 72 and 74 of the sled frame 68 may be
manufactured from structural tubing. The manufacturing process of
structural tubing may include a seam or flash where the ends of the
flat sheet are welded together on the inside of the tube after
being formed into the shape of the tube. The outside dimensions of
the male element, in this case what may be the sled extensions 86
and the handle extensions 102, must be smaller than the inside
dimension of the female structures, in this case the frame
receivers 72 and 74 of the sled frame 68, so as to accommodate the
height of the weld seam and allow the sled extensions 86 and handle
extensions 102 to be received into the frame receivers 72 and 74.
The added gap between the outer dimensions of the male structure in
the inside dimensions of the female structure required due to
normal manufacturing tolerances and exacerbated by the height of
the weld seam may result in a sloppy fit between the mating parts.
As such, it may be desirable to include a bushing 106 possibly
manufactured of a pliable material, so as to allow for not only
tolerance variations in the structural elements, but also
accommodate the weld seam. Such a bushing 118, is shown in FIG.
11.
[0060] The bushing 118 may include a first flange 120, which may
extend completely around the perimeter of one end of the bushing
118. The outer dimension of the first flange 120 may be greater
than the inside dimension of the frame receivers 72 and 74. As
such, the first flange 120 may act as a stop when the bushing 118
is inserted into the first end 76 or the second end 78 of the frame
receivers 72 and 74. To secure the bushing 118 in the frame
receiver 72 and 74 so that it does not pull out with the handle 100
or sled skid 84 when either is removed from the sled frame 68, a
second flange 122 may be provided opposite to the first flange 120.
The second flange 122 may be received by a slot 124 in the frame
receivers 72 and 74. A cutout 126 may be provided in the flange 118
so as to allow the end of the bushing 118 supporting the second
flange 122 to flex in, thus decreasing the overall dimension of the
bushing 118 near the second flange 122 so that the bushing 118 may
be inserted into the frame receiver 72 and 74. If the bushing 118
is manufactured of a pliable material such as a plastic, the
bushing 118 may flex due to the reduced section modulus provided by
the cutout 126 so that it may be inserted into the frame receivers
72 and 74. When inserted, the second flange 122 may be received by,
and snap into the slot 124 in the frame receivers 72 and 74 of the
sled frame 68, thereby securing the bushing 118 in place within the
frame receivers 72 and 74. A hole 128 may be provided to allow
access of the lock pin 110 to pass through to the pin receiver 116
of the sled skid 84.
[0061] As noted before, the sled frame 68 of FIG. 10 may be
comprised of a single frame receiver (72 or 74). It is suggested
that a preferred embodiment may be two frame receivers (72 and 74)
as shown. With that, the sled frame 68 may be two separate
structures, each with their frame supports 80, to mount to the
mounting plate 70 of the exercise device 20. It may be desirable
for the sled frame 68 to be one substantially rigid structure,
which may include a crossbar 130 connecting the first frame
receiver 72 to the second frame receiver 74. The crossbar 128 may
be positioned closer to the first end 76 of the first frame
receiver 72 or the second frame receiver 74 than it is to the
second end 78 of the first frame receiver 72 or the second frame
receiver 74. By positioning the crossbar 130 closer to one end of
the sled frame 68, this may help make assembly onto the exercise
device 20 easier as compared to the crossbar 130 being on both ends
of the sled frame 68 or nearer to a midpoint of the sled frame 68,
as there may be an interference due to the structure of the
exercise device 20.
[0062] With regard to FIGS. 12 and 13, the sled skid 84 is shown in
more detail. In this embodiment, the sled skid 84 may include the
skid base 88 supporting the sled extension 86 on one side and the
skid rail 90 on the other side. In the gap 98, which may be
provided between the skid base 88 and the skid rail 90, a skid rib
92 may be provided offering support to aid in maintaining the gap
98 between the skid base 88 and the skid rail 90. It has been
disclosed earlier that one of the advantages to this embodiment of
the sled skid 84 is a crush zone designed to absorb the impact if
the exercise device 20 is mistakenly dropped onto the sled skids
84. This crush zone is shown with a gap 98 provided between the
skid base 88, on which the bumper 36 of the exercise device 20 is
supported, and the skid rail 90, which is supported on the ground.
The skid rib 92 is intended to provide support between the skid
base 88 and the skid rail 90, but only to a limited extent in that
if a compression force is applied to the skid rib 92 above a
determined threshold, then the skid rib 92 would intentionally
deform and the dimension of the gap 98 would be reduced. The energy
required to cause the skid rib 92 to fail, and in the process also
deform the skid base 88 and/or the skid rail 90 would be absorbed
by the sled skid 84 and not translated to the sled frame 68 or the
frame 22 of the exercise device 20.
[0063] An additional measure to warn users not to lift the exercise
device 20 with the sled skids 84 attached may be the addition of a
warning label 132. The warning label 132 may be positioned on an
upper extension of the skid base 88. The warning label 132 may
include a graphic of a user lifting the exercise device 20 with the
universal "do not" symbol of a circle with a line through it, as
shown in FIG. 13. In addition, specific language may be used such
as "Do NOT Lift With Skids On" to further alert a user that the
exercise device 20 should not be lifted with the sled skids 84
attached to the exercise device 20 on the side that is being
lifted. When the sled skids 84 are not present on the exercise
device 20, the warning label 132 is also removed, as the warning is
no longer applicable.
[0064] An example of the exercise device 20 with the sled frames 68
attached to the exercise device 20 and the sled skids 84 are not
attached is shown in FIG. 14. In this combination, the exercise
device 20 may be flipped over without any potential damage to the
sled skids 84, in that they are not present. In contrast, FIG. 15
shows an example of another embodiment of the exercise device 20''
in which the sled conversion assemblies 66 are provided on both the
first end 26 and the second end 28 of the exercise device 20''.
Here, in FIG. 15 is shown, the sled skid 84 located adjacent to the
bottom bumpers 36 and handles 100 are positioned on the top of the
exercise device 20''with the handle plates 105 of the handles 100
adjacent to the bumpers 36 on the top of the exercise device 20''.
Both the handles 100 and the sled skids 84 are received by the
first frame receiver 72 and the second frame receiver 74. A pair of
weight plates 136 is also shown being received by pins 32 and
secured by the spring clips 34 as they may typically be used. The
warning label 132 may also be seen by a user, as the user would
typically approach the exercise device 20''. This lifter is thereby
being reminded that they should not lift that end of the exercise
device 20'' with the sled skids 84 attached. A detailed view of the
sled skid 84 with the warning label 132 as it may be positioned on
the exercise device 20'' is shown in FIG. 16.
[0065] With regard to FIG. 17, the exercise device 20 is shown with
the sled frame 68 of the sled conversion assembly 66 mounted to the
exercise device 20 on both the first end 26 and the second end 28
of the exercise device 20, by way of the mounting screws 82. On the
second end 28 of the exercise device 20, the sled skids 84 are
received by both ends of first frame receiver 72 and likewise on
the second frame receiver 74. In this combination, there are no
sled skids 84 coupled to the sled frame 68 at the first end 26 of
the exercise device 20. In this arrangement, the first end 26 of
the exercise device 20 may be lifted and driven forward, supported
on the sled skids 84 on the bottom of the exercise device 20. After
sliding the exercise device 20 forward on the sled skids 84 on the
bottom, the exercise device 20 may be flipped over thereby being
supported on the bumper 36 first shown on the top first end 26 of
the exercise device 20 and the sled skids 84 first shown on the top
of the second end 28 of the exercise device 20, in that after being
flipped over, the exercise device 20 would be inverted. This is a
wheelbarrow exercise. This wheelbarrow exercise may be performed in
that the first end 26 of the exercise device 20, which is lifted,
does not include any sled skids 84.
[0066] The absence of the sled skids 84 on the first end 26 of the
exercise device 20, makes it acceptable to lift the first end 26 of
the exercise device 20. This is reiterated by the fact that the
warning labels 132 warning the lifter not to lift that end of the
exercise device 20 are not present on that end of the exercise
device 20, because there are no sled skids 84 immediately visible
to the lifter at the first end 26 of the exercise device 20.
[0067] In the wheelbarrow configuration, the exercise device 20
with this combination of the sled skid assembly 66, it may be
desirable to have the skid rail 90 include an arcuate portion. The
arcuate portion shape of the skid rail 90 may allow the exercise
device 20 with the sled conversion assembly 66 in this
configuration to be flipped over as described with the sled skids
84 on the opposite end (second end 28 shown here) to more easily
transition through being flipped over as it may "roll" on the
arcuate portion of the skid rail 90 while being flipped over.
[0068] The foregoing detailed description of the present invention
is provided for purposes of illustration, and it is not intended to
be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the particular
embodiment shown. The embodiments may provide different
capabilities and benefits, depending on the configuration used to
implement key features of the invention.
* * * * *