Portable chinning bar assembly

Abstract

A portable chinning bar assembly for installation in a doorway and including horizontally elongated bearing members which are vertically and horizontally offset and connected by means of an L-shaped frame whereby the weight of a user is resisted essentially by the reaction of the walls to the moment generated by the bearing surfaces.

Description

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF INVENTION

This invention relates to a portable chinning bar assembly and, more particularly, to one which is especially adapted for installation in a doorway in a manner so that the weight of a user is carried by the walls about the doorway rather than the jamb. Notwithstanding the fact that chinning devices have been used for a long time (and many in the home), devices which are currently available all require extensive (and sometimes expensive installation). For a device capable of supporting up to 300 pounds of weight, it will be appreciated that in the past this has required special mounting devices, and that the normal framework about a doorway, for example, is normally inadequate to carry such a loading. Through a novel use of the principle of leverage so that the maximum weight that will be placed on the casing above the door will be only a few pounds (depending upon the material of construction) the weight of the user is transmitted through the device to the walls about the doorway. For this purpose, the device includes a pair of horizontally elongated bearing members each having vertically disposed, generally planar bearing surfaces arranged in confronting, vertically and horizontally offset relation and connected together by a generally L-shaped frame.

Other objects and advantages of the invention may be seen in the details of construction and operation set forth in the ensuing specification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention is described in conjunction with an illustrative embodiment in the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of the inventive chinning bar assembly shown in the process of being used by a person exercising;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the chinning bar assembly;

FIG. 3 is a somewhat enlarged sectional view of the assembly seen in FIG. 2 and taken along the sight line 3--3 applied thereto;

FIG. 4 is a top view, partially in section and partially broken away of the bar as installed and corresponds essentially to the view taken along the sight line 4--4 applied to FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of the assembly seen in FIG. 3 and taken along the line 5--5 thereof.

The device 10 is seen installed in operational position in a doorway 11 and supporting the weight of a person 12.

As can be seen from a consideration of FIG. 3, the device 10 is supported (in unloaded condition) only on the jamb 13 of the doorway 11. The device 10 consists of a first horizontally elongated member 14 which is equipped with a generally vertically disposed, planar bearing surface 15 and which abuts one of the walls 16 defining the doorway 11. The first member 14 is connected by means of a generally L-shaped frame 17 to a second horizontally elongated member 18. The member 18 also is equipped with a generally vertically disposed, planar bearing surface 19. It will be appreciated that when a force (such as that designated W) is applied to the frame 17, a moment or couple is developed so that the device is cocked slightly and the weight of the user is carried by the walls 16 and 20. More particularly, the member 18 has horizontally ribbed rubber pads 19a at the ends thereof which bear against the door frame 20a-- compare FIGS. 1, 3 and 4.

As can be appreciated from a consideration of FIG. 2, the frame 17 is L-shaped and extends from one side of the doorway 11 to the other, i.e., being connected as by clips 21 (see FIG. 3) to the first mentioned member 14 and fixed by adjustable set screw clamps 22 relative to the second member 18. Due to the various wall thicknesses found in different types of construction, the portable chinning bar assembly 10 is adjustable via the clamps 22, but once it is adjusted for the particular door where it will be used, by tightening the screws 23, the adjustment need not be changed unless the unit is used on a wall of a different thickness. The tubes of the frame 17 extend through openings in the second member 18 with suitable clearance so that the member 18 can be pushed against the frame 20a. The member 18 is then immobilized relative to the frame 17 by tightening the screws 23 of the set screw clamps 22.

Also, I provide an adjustable safety lock generally designated by the numeral 24 (see FIG. 5), which includes an L-shaped member 25 (see FIG. 3) slidably mounted centrally of the lower member 18 and fixed in place by wing nuts 26 (see FIG. 5). This prevents dislodgment of the assembly 10 by pushing the edge of the bar upwards or toward the ceiling. To prevent such an unlikely accident, I provide the safety lock 24. Also, through the use of felt and rubber pads on the members 15 and 18 (see particularly 19a in FIG. 5), the wall finish and the side casings of the doorway are never marred or altered in any way.

In operation, once the clamps 22 have been adjusted for the particular door where the bar will be used, the user need only place the chinning bar in position and tighten the two wing-nuts 26 to secure it. Aside from the initial cross bar portion 27 (see FIG. 2), which is located approximately 6 feet, 6 inches from the floor to accommodate adults, I also provide means for accommodating the exercise and play of children. For example, S hooks as at 28 are provided at the ends of the chinning bar which can be utilized to secure chains (not shown) for children's usage. Therefore, the adjustable bar can also be utilized as a swing, and to perform various exercises thereon. Further, spring straps or other accessories for exercise and pleasure functions can be attached in similar fashion.

The construction of the chinning bar assembly is such that it can be used in any standard door opening regardless of whether the door is hung to the left or to the right. The back, or upper member 15, is always placed up, over, and in the same room as the door, directly above the casing.

The L-shaped member 17 is advantageously constructed of tubular material such as pipe having the two horizontal runs extending through the doorway spaced apart about 24 inches. The lengths of the two pipes running through the door opening are advantageously kept to a minimum so as to allow the chinning bar to be adjustable and self-supporting but still not place undue stress on the wall by affording the user too much leverage. The chinning bar also compensates for the user's weight in the sense that the more weight that is placed on the bar (i.e., as at W), the tighter it will grip the wall between the members 14 and 18. In testing the chinning bar, it was found that even if the wall above the casing were paneled, there is still enought offset so as not to affect the operation of the device and this applies also whether the casing is modern, ranch, fluted, etc. Advantageously, the members 14 and 18 are 1 inch thick by 31/2 inches high and have a length of 36 inches. The overall length of the pipe extending through the doorway is 14 inches so that a compact device is provided. Due to the offset center line of the unit, the leverage obtained at the chinning bar (point W) causes a cocking action and the device becomes self-supporting in the sense that it will remain in place dependent on nothing but this weight. The actual overall weight is supported by the casing through the usual filler studs which are nailed to the inner studs. However, because of the offset of the members 14 and 18, the chinning bar will remain in place irrespective of the type of wall construction employed.

Claims

I claim:

1. In combination, a wall having a doorway extending therethrough from one side to the other of said wall, a frame on said wall about said doorway and including jambs extending over the doorway top,

a portable chinning bar assembly mounted on said wall and extending through said doorway, said assembly comprising

a first horizontally elongated member having a vertically disposed, generally planar bearing surface positioned against said wall on one side of said doorway above one of said jambs, a generally L-shaped frame depending adjacent one end thereof from said first member and extending through said doorway, said frame at the end thereof from said first member being equipped with a chinning bar, said frame including a pair of L-shaped elements spaced apart and disposed in side-by-side relation and connected together at the ends thereof remote from said first member to provide said chinning bar, and a second horizontally elongated member connected to said frame intermediate the ends thereof and having a vertically disposed, generally planar bearing surface and positioned against the other side of said wall below said first member, said second member being horizontally spaced from said first member a distance at least greater than the thickness of said wall whereby a downward force on said chinning bar is resisted essentially by the reaction of said walls to the moment generated by said bearing surfaces.

2. The structure of claim 1 in which an adjustable clamp is interposed between said second member and said frame to permit adjustment of said second member relative to said wall.

3. The structure of claim 1 in which said second member is equipped with a slidable bracket adapted to bear against a jamb of said doorway and prevent inadvertent demounting of said assembly.