U.S. patent application number 15/588603 was filed with the patent office on 2018-11-08 for pull-up station with rotary handles and footrest.
The applicant listed for this patent is Hieltje Auke Lootsma. Invention is credited to Hieltje Auke Lootsma.
Application Number | 20180318641 15/588603 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 64013899 |
Filed Date | 2018-11-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180318641 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lootsma; Hieltje Auke |
November 8, 2018 |
Pull-up station with rotary handles and footrest
Abstract
A training device for pulling up your own body weight from a
fully or partially horizontal body position of which the operating
principle is based on the rotation of the handles so that the
user's feet remain pressed against the footrest whilst performing
the pull-ups.
Inventors: |
Lootsma; Hieltje Auke;
(Wageningen, NL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Lootsma; Hieltje Auke |
Wageningen |
|
NL |
|
|
Family ID: |
64013899 |
Appl. No.: |
15/588603 |
Filed: |
May 6, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2225/093 20130101;
A63B 21/068 20130101; A63B 21/4033 20151001; A63B 23/1218 20130101;
A63B 21/00047 20130101; A63B 2225/09 20130101; A63B 23/12
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63B 23/12 20060101
A63B023/12; A63B 21/068 20060101 A63B021/068; A63B 21/00 20060101
A63B021/00 |
Claims
1. A training device for pulling up your own body weight from a
fully or partially horizontal body position, consisting of at least
one or multiple uprights with at least two handles attached to it
for the user's hands, a footrest where the feet can be pressed
against, and a connecting piece between the uprights and the
footrest, in which construction the handles can rotate towards the
footrest with the center of rotation located below or close to the
user's upper body, in such a way that the user can perform a
pull-up while the feet remain pressed against the rest.
2. A training device according to claim 1, further comprising the
connecting piece between the uprights and footrest being adjustable
in length.
3. A training device as in any one of the preceding claims, further
comprising the handles for the user's hands are or can be
positioned in different ways.
4. A training device as in any one of the preceding claims, further
comprising the footrest is fitted with a rotatable part.
5. A training device according to claim 4, further comprising the
rotatable part is fitted with one or multiple springs, which
provide the rotatable part with a preferred position.
6. A training device according to claim 4 or 5, further comprising
the rotatable part is fitted with one or multiple stops that limit
the angle of movement of the rotatable part.
7. A training device as in any one of the preceding claims, further
comprising the footrest is fitted with a part against which the
user's feet can be pressed and which consists of a cushion filled
with a gas (mixture), liquid (mixture) or elastic material.
8. A training device as in any one of the preceding claims, further
comprising the uprights have been fitted with one or multiple tools
that enable the user to change the distance between the handles and
the center of rotation of the handles.
9. A training device as in any one of the preceding claims, further
comprising pulling up your own body from a largely vertical body
position for which, at equal physical dimensions of the user, (i)
the distance between the center of rotation of the handles and the
footrest is smaller compared to pulling up your own body from a
largely horizontal body position and (ii) the distance between the
handles and the center of rotation of the handles is larger.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM
LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX
[0003] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] There are several tools known for body pull-ups. A common
tool is a pull rod that can be attached to a wall. One disadvantage
of this instrument is that raising the body is too heavy an
exercise to perform once or repeatedly for many.
[0005] Another common tool is a frame to enable horizontal
pull-ups. In this exercise, the body is pulled up from a wholly or
partly horizontal body position, during which the feet continue to
rest on the ground whilst lying on your back. The frame is fitted
with handles above the user's upper body in order to perform a
pull-up. Because the feet continue to rest on the ground during
this exercise, the body weight is distributed across the arms and
legs, making this less of a strenuous exercise than the one in
which the entire body weight is pulled up.
[0006] One disadvantage of the frame for horizontal pull-ups is
that, if the exercise is performed with the legs stretched out, a
horizontally directed force is exerted onto the feet, with this
force working in opposite direction when pulling up and lowering
the body. This horizontal force is caused due to the distance
between the point at which the feet rest on the ground, and the
handles of the frame remaining the same, while the distance between
the hands and the feet becomes smaller, as the arms are moved
towards the body from a position stretched out in front of the
body. The horizontal force causes the feet to want to slide over
the ground, as a result of which the exercise cannot be performed
smoothly. A known solution is to perform the exercise with bent
legs, during which the soles of the feet rest on the ground.
However, one disadvantage of this form is that the body's center of
gravity is closer to the feet compared to when the legs are
stretched out, making the pull-ups less strenuous.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention aims to provide a training device that
is suitable for pulling up your own body from a fully or partially
horizontal body position, whilst not too strenuous for a person of
average physical fitness and strength in order to repeat the
exercise multiple times and not too easy to be tiring after a
limited number of repetitions. To this end, the present invention
makes it possible to pull up with legs stretched out from a fully
or partially horizontal body position, without an alternating
forward and rearward horizontal force being exerted onto the feet.
This objective is achieved by the present invention in the form of
a training device for pulling up your own body weight from a fully
or partially horizontal body position, consisting of at least one
or multiple uprights with at least two handles attached to it for
the user's hands, a footrest where the feet can be pressed against,
and a connecting piece between the uprights and the footrest, in
which construction the handles can rotate towards the footrest with
the center of rotation located below or close to the user's upper
body, in such a way that the user can perform a pull-up while the
feet remain pressed against the rest.
[0008] Furthermore, the training device, thanks to the present
invention, offers the option of making further adjustments so that
the body can be pulled up in different ways. A number of such
adjustments will be discussed later on in this document.
[0009] As such, the aim of the present invention has been achieved.
The operating principle of the present invention is based on the
rotation of the handles as described above, so that the user's feet
remain pressed against the footrest whilst performing the pull-ups.
The advantage of this principle is that the user's body is
well-positioned, allowing the user to concentrate on the pull-up
exercise.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Example embodiments of the present invention will become
more fully understood from the detailed description given herein
below and the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are
represented by like reference numerals, which are given by way of
illustration only and thus do not limit the example
embodiments.
[0011] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the preferred design of the
present invention;
[0012] FIG. 1B is a detail of FIG. 1A;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view to illustrate the rotation of
the handles;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view to illustrate a user performing
a pull-up;
[0015] FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B and FIG. 4C are three side views to
illustrate a user performing a pull-up;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a side view to illustrate the various forces that
are acting;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative to the
preferred design;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the preferred design with
additional tools;
[0019] FIG. 8A and FIG. 89 are perspective views of an alternative
to the preferred design of the footrest;
[0020] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an alternative to the
preferred design;
[0021] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternative to the
preferred design;
[0022] FIG. 11A is a perspective view of an alternative to the
preferred design;
[0023] FIG. 11B is a detail of FIG. 11A;
[0024] FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B are two side views of an alternative
to the preferred design to illustrate a user performing a
pull-up.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] The preferred design in accordance with the present
invention allows the connecting piece between the uprights and
footrest to be adjusted in length, so that the distance between the
uprights and the footrest can be adjusted to the user's height, or
to the manner in which the user wants to perform the exercise.
There are various tools known in the prior art which can serve as
an adjustable connecting piece between the uprights and footrest.
Examples of such known tools are: plates, pipes, tubes, ropes,
belts, chains, rails, linear bearings, spindles and hydraulic or
pneumatic cylinders.
[0026] In the preferred design in accordance with the present
invention, the connecting piece between the uprights and the
footrest consists of a baseplate and ropes, chains or belts that
can be adjusted in length, connecting the baseplate and footrest.
The rotatability of the uprights is achieved by attaching the
uprights to the baseplate by means of hinges. Since the feet are
pressed against the footrest during the entire exercise, the
connection between baseplate and footrest is acted on in one
direction only, making it possible to use ropes, chains or belts.
The advantages of ropes, chains or belts are that the dimensions of
the baseplate and footrest can remain limited so that the training
device takes up little space when not in use. Its limited volume is
particularly important when the training device is used in a living
environment. Another advantage of ropes, chains or belts is that
the connection that has been established can be adjusted in length
using basic tools.
[0027] In the preferred design in accordance with the present
invention, the footrest is connected to the baseplate at the same
height as where the feet are supported. This prevents torque forces
acting on the construction of the footrest so that the footrest can
be constructed with a limited amount of material.
[0028] In the preferred design in accordance with the present
invention, two uprights are connected at the top by a rod, which is
fitted with at least two handles. It prevents torque forces acting
on the uprights and baseplate, partly thanks to the uprights having
been hinged to the baseplate, so that the uprights and baseplate of
the footrest can be constructed with a limited amount of
material.
[0029] In the preferred design in accordance with the present
invention, the footrest is designed in such a manner that the feet
are pressed against the rest whilst the heels are resting on the
ground so that the exercise can be performed comfortably.
[0030] FIG. 1A shows a preferred design of the present invention,
with two uprights 11 that are connected at the top by a rod 12. In
accordance with this preferred design, the rod 12 provides the
handles for the user's hands. The uprights 11 are connected to a
baseplate 14, by means of two hinges 13. Two brackets 15 are
mounted on the baseplate through which two ropes 16 are looped. The
ropes are connected to the footrest on the other side by means of
eye bolts 17 and knots 18. The ropes 16 are adjustable in length by
means of two clamps 19, to which the ropes 16 are connected by
means of knots 20. The eye bolts 17 are attached to the uprights 22
and attached to the beam 23 of the footrest. The uprights 22 of the
footrest are connected to baseplate 21 of the footrest. The
footrest in the preferred design shown consists of the assembly of
two eye bolts 17, the beam 23, two uprights 22 and the baseplate
21. FIG. 1B has zoomed in on a section of FIG. 1A and shows a
bracket 15, part of a rope 16, a hinge 13, part of an upright 11
and part of the baseplate 14.
[0031] FIG. 2 shows the same preferred design of the present
invention as FIG. 1A, yet from a different perspective, in which
the two uprights 11 and the rod 12 are shown in three different
random positions, thereby providing an insight into the rotating
operation of the uprights 11.
[0032] FIG. 3 shows the same preferred design of the present
invention as FIG. 1A, yet from a different perspective, with the
user performing horizontal pull-ups. The user uses his hands 25 to
hold the rod 12, causing his feet 26 to be pressed against the beam
23 of the footrest.
[0033] FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B and FIG. 4C show the same preferred design
of the present invention as FIG. 1A from a side view, with the user
in three different, random positions. NG. 4A shows the starting
position in which the user is sitting on the ground, his hands 25
holding the rod 12 and his feet 26 pressed against the beam 23,
which cannot be seen from the side, of the footrest. FIG. 4B shows
the position in which the user has stretched out his body from the
starting position, thus hanging from the training device. FIG. 4C
shows the position in which the user has pulled himself up.
[0034] FIG. 5 shows the same preferred design of the present
invention as FIG. 1A, yet from a side view, in which the user is
shown in a random position whilst pulling up, together with the
various forces that are acting. In FIG. 5, the gravitational force
50 is shown as a force acting on the center of the user's body. In
FIG. 5, the gravitational force 50 is disintegrated in two forces
51 and 52 acting on the training device. The user's hands exert
force 51 on the rod 12. This three 51 also acts on the uprights 11.
The user's feet exert force 52 on the beam 23, which cannot be seen
from the side view. In FIG. 5, three 51 is disintegrated into
forces 53 and 54 and force 52 into 55 and 56. Forces 53 and 55 act
on the cord 16 in opposite ways. Forces 54 and 56 are the forces
exerted by the training device on the floor or ground. The sum of
forces 54 and 56 is equal to the sum of gravity 50 and the weight
of the training device.
[0035] Alternatively, or additionally, a training device, in
accordance with the present invention, can be fitted with handles
for the user's hands, which are or can be positioned in different
ways. This can be achieved by attaching brackets to the uprights,
or by attaching brackets to a rod which connects the uprights at
the top, or by connecting the uprights at the top by means of a
construction which makes it possible for the handles to be
positioned differently. The advantage of handles with different
positions is that the exercise can be performed in different
ways.
[0036] FIG. 6 shows an alternative to the preferred design of the
present invention, from a perspective view. The parts in FIG. 6
which are the same as in FIG. 1A are numbered in the same way. One
difference between the training devices in FIG. 1A and FIG. 6 is
that the rod 12 in FIG. 1A has been replaced by a construction 61
in FIG. 6, making it possible to use the handles in different
positions. Another difference is that the cords 16, the clamps 19
and eye bolts 17 in FIG. 1A have been replaced in FIG. 6 by two
chains 62 and two screw hooks 63. The chains are connected to the
baseplate by means of two brackets 15 and to the footrest by the
screw hooks 63. The distance between the baseplate and footrest can
be changed by changing the links in which the chains 62 are hooked
into the screw hooks 63.
[0037] FIG. 7 shows the same preferred design of the present
invention as FIG. 1A, from the same perspective view, with two
brackets 71 and two hooks 72 added to it. The brackets 71 provide
for handles in a different position compared to the position of the
handles provided by the rod 12. To this end, the brackets 71 have
been attached to the hooks 72. The hooks 72 suspend from the rod
12.
[0038] Alternatively or additionally, a training device in
accordance with the present invention can be fitted with a footrest
with a rotatable part against which user's feet can be pressed.
Thanks to this rotatable part, the feet can rotate with the
movement of the body whilst pulling up. The rotatable part can
further be fitted with one or multiple springs, creating a
preferred position for the rotatable part and thus reducing the
risk that the rotatable part rotates further than desired by the
user. For this same purpose, the footrest can further be fitted
with stops, limiting the angle of movement of the rotatable
part.
[0039] FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B show an alternative to the preferred
design of the footrest of the present invention from two different
perspective views. FIG. 8A shows a footrest with a rotatable part
81 against which the user's feet can be pressed in two different
random positions. The surface of the movable part 81 in FIG. 8A is
ribbed so that the user's feet cannot slip. FIG. 8B shows the other
side of the footrest from which it is clear that the rotatable part
81 is connected to a shaft 83 by means of two bearings 82. The
shaft 83 is connected to either side of the uprights 22, which are
attached to a baseplate 21. FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B partially show the
cords 16 which are connected to the footrest by two eye bolts 17
and knots 18.
[0040] Alternatively, or additionally, a training device in
accordance with the present invention can be fitted with a footrest
with a part against which the user's feet can be pressed and which
consists of a cushion filled with a gas (mixture), liquid (mixture)
or elastic material. An example of an elastic material as referred
to in the preceding sentence is foam rubber. This cushion enables
the user's feet to rotate with the movement of the body whilst
pulling up.
[0041] Alternatively, or additionally, a training device in
accordance with the present invention can be fitted with uprights
which, by means of one or multiple tools, enable the user to change
the distance between the handles and their center of rotation, i.e.
the height of the handles. There are various tools known in the
prior art which make it possible to change the height of the
handles. One example of a common tool is for each upright to be
composed of two telescoping tubes or pipes, which can be fixed at
different positions in relation to each other. Another example of a
common tool involves a number of holes at different heights in each
upright, in which a locking pin can be inserted at the desired
height. Subsequently, a bracket can be attached to this locking
pin, which serves as handle. One advantage of changing the height
of the handles is that this allows the training device to be
adjusted to the user's physical dimensions, or to the manner in
which the user wishes to perform the exercise.
[0042] FIG. 9 shows an alternative to the preferred design of the
present invention from a perspective view, in which the height of
the handles can be changed. FIG. 9 shows two different, random
heights of the handles. The parts in FIG. 9 which are the same as
in FIG. 1A are numbered in the same way. One difference between the
training devices in FIG. 1A and FIG. 9 is that the uprights 11 in
FIG. 1A have been replaced by two pairs of telescoping tubes 91 and
92 and two locking pins 93 in FIG. 9. The two tubes 91 are
connected by means of hinges 13 attached to the baseplate 14 and
fitted with a number of holes through which the locking pins 93 can
be inserted. The two tubes 92 are attached to the rod 12 and each
fitted with a hole through which the locking pins 93 can be
inserted. FIG. 9 shows the tubes 92 and locking pins 93 in two
different, random positions, in which the locking pins 93 fix the
position of tubes 92 in relation to tubes 91.
[0043] FIG. 10 shows an alternative to the preferred design of the
present invention from a perspective view, in which the height of
the handles can be changed. The parts in FIG. 10 which are the same
as in FIG. 6 are numbered in the same way. One difference between
the training devices in FIG. 6 and FIG. 10 is that the uprights 11
and construction 61 in FIG. 6 have been replaced by uprights 101,
locking pins 102, brackets 103 and, optionally, beam 104 in FIG.
10. The brackets 103 which serve as handles for the user are
attached to the locking pins 102. The locking pins can be inserted
in the holes in the uprights 101 according to personal preference,
making it possible to change the height of the handles. The beam
104 is optional and ensures that the two uprights 101 maintain the
same angle of rotation in relation to the baseplate when pulling
up.
[0044] Alternatively, or additionally, a training device in
accordance with the present invention can be fitted with uprights
which can be attached to the footrest by means of a connecting
piece, without hinges and a baseplate. The uprights are able to
rotate in the direction of the footrest thanks to the shape of the
contact surface between the uprights and the floor.
[0045] Alternatively, or additionally, a training device in
accordance with the present invention can be fitted with a footrest
which allows the heels of the feet to rest on the ground. The
advantage of this is that the footrest can be constructed with a
limited amount of material and, for example, can consist of a bar
or leather strap.
[0046] FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B show an alternative to the preferred
design of the present invention from a perspective view, in which
the uprights are attached to the footrest by means of a connecting
piece without hinges and a baseplate, which construction allows for
the heels of the feet to rest on the ground. The parts in FIG. 11A
which are the same as in FIG. 1A are numbered in the same way. One
difference between the training devices in FIG. 1A and FIG. 11A is
that the baseplates 14 and hinges 15 in FIG. 1A have been replaced
by a circular bar 111, shafts 112 and rings 113 in FIG. 11A.
Another difference between the training devices in FIG. 1A and FIG.
11A is that the uprights 22, beam 23 and the baseplate 21 of the
footrest in FIG. 1A have been replaced by the beam 114 in FIG. 11A.
In FIG. 11A, the uprights 11 have been attached to the circular bar
111. Two shafts 112 have been attached at the ends of the circular
bar 111. The shafts 112 have been fitted with flat ends which serve
as stops for two rings 113. Two ropes 16 are looped through the
rings 113, which can rotate around the shafts 112. The cords 16 are
connected to the beam 114 by means of two eye bolts 17 and two
knots 18. The uprights 11 can rotate towards the footrest as the
circular bar 111 can roll over the ground. The user's feet can be
pressed against the beam 114, whilst the heels of the feet rest on
the ground. FIG. 11B has zoomed in on a section of FIG. 11A and
shows part of the circular bar 111, part of a rope 16, a shaft 112
and a ring 113.
[0047] Alternatively, or additionally, a training device in
accordance with the present invention can be used for pulling up
your own body from a largely vertical body position. Two
differences compared to the preferred design for pulling up your
own body from a largely horizontal body position are that, at equal
physical dimensions of the user, the distance between the center of
rotation of the handles and the footrest is smaller, and second,
the distance between the handles and the rotation center of the
handles is larger.
[0048] FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B show an alternative to the preferred
design of the present invention from a side view, with the user in
two different, random positions. The description of the parts of
the training device is equal to the description of the parts in
FIG. 1A. FIG. 12A shows the position in which the user suspends
from the rod 12 with both hands 121 holding on. The feet 122 are
pressed against the beam 23, which cannot be seen from the side
view, of the footrest. FIG. 12B shows the position in which the
user has pulled himself up.
* * * * *