US20050272574A1

US20050272574A1 - Versatile dismountable exercise apparatus

Info

Publication number: US20050272574A1
Application number: US10/862,168
Authority: US
Inventors: Sylvain Lessard
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-06-07
Filing date: 2004-06-07
Publication date: 2005-12-08
Also published as: CA2470296A1

Abstract

A versatile dismountable exercise apparatus has a basic structure comprised of key structural frame components which include a pair of base posts, each being releasably connected at their upper ends by upper posts and at their lower ends by base plates. The two upper posts are releasably connected to a wall mount. From that basic structure, a number of components are added. The wall mount is generally placed permanently on a wall surface using mechanical fateners or other means. Accessories are connected, by way of connecting means, to the basic structures or to components that are releasably attached to the basic structures.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the invention
The invention relates generally to exercise equipment but more particularly to a exercise training center capable of switching between a large variety of exercises and being dismountable for easy storage when not in use.
2. Background of the invention
Exercise apparatus, training center or home gymnasiums, no matter what they are called, have been around for decades and a large amount of patents have been delivered for such apparatuses.
Some are very specific and handle a limited series of possible exercises for specific muscle groups while others try to cover all the muscle groups and offer dozens of exercise possibilities.
The challenge of course in trying to have everything in one apparatus is to make it easy to modify certain parts of the apparatus by either adding or removing a module, changing the configuration by shortening or lengthening components, etc. . .
This is part of the challenge, another challenge is to have an apparatus which is sufficiently stable to handle large moving weights in addition to the weight of a user.
There is therefore still room for improvement in this field.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a first object of this invention to provide an exercise apparatus having a unique structure allowing for an easy and quick way to be dismountable.
It is a second object of this invention to provide an exercise apparatus having an angled vertical structure which makes possible a number of exercises not possible on a standard vertical structure apparatus.
It is a third object of this invention to provide an exercise apparatus having a structure allowing for a wall support providing added stability which makes possible a number of exercises not possible on equipment lacking the stability of a wall support.
In order to do so, the versatile dismountable exercise apparatus of this instant invention has a basic structure comprised of key structural frame components which include a pair of base posts, each being releasably connected at their upper ends by upper posts and at their lower ends by base plates. The two upper posts are releasably connected to a wall mount. From that basic structure, a number of components are added. The wall mount is generally placed permanently on a wall surface using mechanical fateners or other means. Accessories are connected, by way of connecting means, to the basic structures or to components that are releasably attached to the basic structures.
The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of this invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the preferred embodiment of the invention is shown and described, by way of examples. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details are capable of modifications in various obvious respects, all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 Orthogonal view of the basic structure of the exercise apparatus.
FIG. 2 Orthogonal view of a base post
FIG. 3 Orthogonal view of an upper post
FIG. 4 Orthogonal view of a wall mount
FIG. 5 Orthogonal view of a base plate
FIG. 6 Orthogonal view of the basic structure of the exercise apparatus with the multi-purpose bench.
FIG. 7 Orthogonal view of a transverse bar.
FIG. 8 Orthogonal view of the multi-purpose bench.
FIG. 9 Orthogonal view of the basic structure of the exercise apparatus with the multi-purpose bench's back raised.
FIG. 10 Orthogonal view of the basic structure of the exercise apparatus with the multi-purpose bench positioned at an angle.
FIG. 11 Orthogonal view of the basic structure of the exercise apparatus with the multi-purpose bench positioned upright.
FIG. 12 Orthogonal view of a foot rest pad.
FIG. 13 Orthogonal view of the basic structure of the exercise apparatus with the main pulleys rack receiving an accessory.
FIG. 14 Orthogonal view of a plate support.
FIG. 15 Orthogonal view of the basic structure of the exercise apparatus with a transverse bar set high, receiving a chin up bar accessory.
FIG. 16 Orthogonal view of the basic structure of the exercise apparatus with the transverse bar set low and a dead lift bar with an acessory.
FIG. 17 Orthogonal view of a tube for holding a deadlift bar.
FIG. 18 Orthogonal view of the basic structure of the exercise apparatus but with one side set closer and a pair of transverse bars receiving a scott bench.
FIGS. 19 abcd Orthogonal, back, and side views of a scott bench, respectively, and a side panel.
FIG. 20 Orthogonal view of the basic structure of the exercise apparatus with one side set closer and with elbow rest asembly and a pair of transverse bars receiving a pad.
FIG. 21 Orthogonal view of an elbow rest assembly.
FIG. 22 Orthogonal view of the basic structure of the exercise apparatus with an upright calf machine accessory.
FIG. 23 Orthogonal view of the upright calf machine accessory.
FIG. 24 Orthogonal view of the basic structure of the exercise apparatus with an extension rod holding a pulley and related pulleys and plate supports and accessory.
FIG. 25 Orthogonal view of a main pulley support
FIG. 26 Orthogonal view of a sitting down calf machine.
FIG. 27 Orthogonal view of a leg curl, leg extension machine.
FIG. 28 Orthogonal view of the basic structure of the exercise apparatus with a pulleys mount rod and related accessories.
FIG. 29 Orthogonal view of an extension pulley support
FIG. 30 Orthogonal view of a treadmill accessory
FIG. 31 Orthogonal view of the basic structure of the exercise apparatus with all accessories installed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 1-5 A versatile dismountable exercise apparatus (10) has a basic structure (12) comprised of key structural frame components which include a pair of base posts (14), each being releasably connected at their upper ends by upper posts (16) and at their lower ends by base plates (18). The two upper posts (16) are releasably connected to a wall mount (20). From that basic structure (12), a number of components are added. Before describing these added components, however, there are more details to be known about the basic structure (12). The wall mount (20) is generally placed permanently on a wall surface using mechanical fateners although, depending upon the type of mechanical fasteners used, the wall mount (20) could easily be placed temporarily on a wall surface by way of hook and pile fasteners or even magnets. In this way, when dismounted, the dismountable exercise apparatus (10) doesn't leave a trace, except perhaps for a strip of magnet or pile which can be easily hidden by some decorative element such as a picture frame or other wall treatment. Accessories are connected, by way of connecting means, to the basic structure (12) or to components that are releasably attached to the basic structure (12). Some of those accessories or components are releasably connected to the basic structure (12) using biased push pins (34), well known in the art, and which are positioned at various places along both the base posts (14) and upper posts (16), ready to receive accessories. Other types of connectors could be used without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the base plates (18) offer a wide resting surface so as to spread the load since heavy equipment will be loaded on the basic structure (12), and because of the additional stress, they are releasably connected to the base post (14) by way of combination rod and clipped pins (70). Similar rod and clipped pins (70) can be used to connect the base posts (14) with the upper posts (16). Along the sides of the upper posts are equipment holes (104) set for receiving accessories as will be seen later. Equipment holes (104) can also be found on the base posts (14). There is an offset between the base post (14) and the upper post (16) created by a bend (22) at the upper extremity of the base post (14). The upper post (16) has an even larger grand bend (24) toward its upper end making the semi vertical upper post (16) horizontal from thereon so that it engages the wall mount (20) horizontally into one of three wall mount sockets (26). These bends (22, 24) give, in combination, a flying buttress like configuration to the basic structure (12). All along the length of both the base post (14) and upper post (16) are tongues (28) these tongues act as support for barbells and other parts described later. Just above the bend (22), on the upper post (16), is an extended support (30) which allows for equipment to be in line with the tongues (28) of the base posts (14) and its reinforced structure allows it to receive a heavy barbell. Also, on the opposite side of the tongues (28), the upper post (16), is a tongue (28′) meant for receiving accessories which require to be supported on that side of the upper post (14). At the lower end of the base post (16) is a perpendicular bracket (32) designed to receive accessories. Finally, big holes (82) are situated at various places between the tongues (28) for placing accessories.
FIGS. 6-7 In order to start using the versatile dismountable exercise machine (10), accessories are added, we can begin with a transverse bar (36) which has a pair of tabs (38) at each extremity and another one about a third of the way along the transverse bar (36), its location matches the location of the middle wall mount socket (26) on the wall mount (20). This intermediate setting is used when moving one side of the dismountable exercise machine (10), that is the base post (14) and upper post (16), closer to the other side as per FIG. 18, which is useful for certain types of exercises. The transverse bar (36) engages the two base posts (14) by snapping into push pins (34) by way of its tabs (38) which have holes for biased push pins (34). Also on the transverse bar (36) are guides (39) for centring a multi-purpose bench (40).
FIGS. 8-12 The multi-purpose bench (40) has an anchor point for equipment (108), a bench frame structure (110) <<L>> shaped to provide integral legs on which are leg holes (112) so that accessories such as foot rest pads (84) can be engaged thereto. As is well known in the art, exercise benches can have folded sections or different angle settings as exemplified in the figures, wherein a single multi-purpose bench (40) having different adjustable angles, ranging from horizontal to vertical, can accomplish what usually takes different types of benches. For any arrangement, the means of attachment of the multi-purpose bench (40) is by way of <<L>> hooks (138) of which a series of pairs set at different locations along the length of the frame structure (110) insures flexibility in the various adjustments. A separate sub frame (140) holds the back part (142) of the multi-purpose bench (40) and a rotational axis (144) made of mechanical fasteners rotationally attaches the sub frame (140) to the frame structure (110) and allows for the raising and lowering of the back part (142). Footrest plates (84) are inserted into the downward part of the bench frame structure (110) through footrest holes (112) wherein only one footrest peg (150) is inserted through the footrest hole (112) and the other footrest peg (150′) rests on the outside of the bench frame structure (110). The set distance between the footrest pegs (150, 150′) gives the correct angle to the footrest plates (84).
FIGS. 13-14 introduces a main pulleys rack (114) which comprises at least two pulleys (94) rotationally connected to pulleys supports (116), and the pulleys supports (116) themselves rotationally connected onto the pulleys rack (114) by mechanical fasteners (118). The same type of tabs (38) as on the transverse bar (36) are used to secure the pulleys rack (114) onto the dismountable exercise apparatus (10). As is known in the art, a cable (96) runs through one or more pulley (94) with one end of the cable (96) having an accessory while the other end is connected to a load or weights. Here, the load in the form of standard plates (not shown) is slipped around the shaft (120) of a plate support (54) comprised of a base (122), a spacer ring (124) so that the plates won't make contact with the floor, for ease in removal, and a ring (126) for engagement of a clip (128) from the end of the cable (96).
FIG. 15 The transverse bar(36) can also be fitted in lieu of the pulleys rack (114) so that an accessory such as a chin-up bar (64) can be installed. This chin-up bar (64) has a unique system of two oppositely oriented hooks (66) which eliminates the tendency to tilt that would be produced if the two hooks (66) would be oriented in the same direction.
FIGS. 16-17 Using the same rod and clipped pins (70) that hold the base plate (18) rotationally attaches a tube(130)—by way of an engagement hole (132)—for holding a deadlift bar (68) and optionally a close grip handle (202). It should be noted that in order to keep the dismountable exercise apparatus (10) from spreading apart, at least one component such as a transverse bar (36) should remain installed onto the dismountable exercise apparatus (10).
FIGS. 18-19 abc Two transverse bars (36) hold a scott bench (72) and/or an abs cushion (134). As can be seen in FIG. 19 b, the scott bench (72) has a pair of hook and pile releasably attached side panels (136) which, in combination with a pair of <<L>> hooks (138) set up the scott bench (72) at an angle as per FIG. 18. Similar (<<L>> hooks (138) are also part of the abs cushion (134). Except for size, both the scott bench (72) and the abs cushion (134) are essentially the same, that is why they are identified by either (72) or (134) in the figures. Also, the side panels (136) can be laid flat or on their edge against the scott bench (72) of abs cushion (134). In FIG. 18, hat one side of the dismountable exercise apparatus (10) has been brought closer to the other. This unique capability allows for the realization of several other types of exercises hardly doable on other exercise devices. The side panels (136) can be used for giving an angle to the scott bench (72) as seen on this figure as each pad (136) rests on the lower transverse bar (36) or they can serve as legs of sort to raise the scott bench (72) when it is put on the floor as a knee pad or riser of sort.
FIGS. 20-21 An elbow rest assembly (78) has elbow pads (80), grip handles (98) that are adjustable along handles holes (100) on a frame (102). The elbow rest assembly (78) inserts a big hole peg (81) into big hole (82) and uses tabs (38) to connect to the base posts (14) so that the elbow pads (80) do not rotate. The big hole peg (81) terminates with a clipped pin (70) to lock the elbow rest assembly (78) into place. The abs cushion (134) can be used to provide back support to a user.
FIGS. 22-23 show an upright calf machine (44) having a <<Y >> shaped frame with shoulders pads (46) at the top of the <<Y >> (48) and a chain (50) connected to where the top of the <<Y >> (48) joins the leg of the <<Y >>(52) and going downward therefrom to the plate support (54). The distal end of the leg of the <<Y >>(52) is rotationally connected to one of the upper posts (16) by way of equipment holes (104).
FIGS. 24-25 The main pulleys support (114) provides for another set of exercise. Two cables (96) can be connected together if needed. An extension pulley support (146) is similar in structure to the main pulleys support (114) since it also has pulleys (94) rotationally connected to pulleys supports (116).
FIG. 26 A sit down calf accessory (56) releasably attached to the multi-purpose bench (40) has adjustable knee pads (58), a support post (60), and a weight receiving peg (62).
FIG. 27 shows a leg curl accessory (74) with upper leg curl pads (76) and lower leg curl pads (76′), and a weight receiving peg (62).
FIGS. 28-29 The perpendicular bracket (32) holds the extension pulley support (146) with main pulley support (114) to make a shoulder exercise machine.
FIG. 30 A treadmill accessory (200) can be releasably attached to a transverse bar (36) much the way other accessories such as the bench press (40) is attached, that is by using <<L>> hooks (138) . A variety of such accessories can be created and can be hooked to the basic structure (12) in this fashion. The <<L>> hooks (138) are thus an important feature to have in order for an accessory to fit. As described earlier, there are other ways to conect to the versatile dismountable exercise apparatus (10).
FIG. 31 Shows the dismountable exercise apparatus (10) with most of its accessories installed.

Claims

1. A versatile dismountable exercise apparatus configured for receiving accessories adapted for it and consisting of a basic structure comprising:

a pair of base posts, each being releasably connected at its upper end by an upper post, and at its lower end by a base plate;

said two upper posts being releasably connected to a wall mount by way of wall mount sockets;

said pair of upper posts and said pair of base posts having connectors means to connect accessories therefrom;

said connectors being positioned at various places along both said base posts and said upper posts;

an offset between said base posts and said upper posts created by bends at the upper extremity of said base posts followed by a grand bend on said upper posts to create, in combination, a flying buttress configuration;

tongues acting as support and set all along the length of both said upper posts and said base posts;

on said upper post, on a side opposite said tongues is a tongue for receiving accessories to be supported on that side of said upper post; perpendicular brackets, one at the base of each said base posts for receiving accessories;

big holes situated at various places between said tongues for placing accessories; equipment holes situated at various places along the sides of said upper posts and said base posts;

a transverse bar having a first and second pair of tabs each said pair of tabs situated at one of two extremities in addition to a third pair of tabs situated therebetween and said transverse bar engaging said two base posts by snapping into connector means by way of its said pairs of tabs.

2. A versatile dismountable exercise apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said accessories includes a multi-purpose bench having a folded section said multi-purpose bench having an anchor point for equipment, a bench frame structure <<L>> shaped so as to provide integral legs on which are leg holes so that accessories can be engaged thereto; attachment means to releasably attach said multi-purpose bench to said transverse bar.

3. A versatile dismountable exercise apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said accessories include:

a main pulleys rack comprising at least two pulleys rotationally connected to pulleys supports and said pulleys supports themselves rotationally connected onto the pulleys rack by mechanical fasteners.

4. A versatile dismountable exercise apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said accessories include:

footrest plates inserted into the downward part of a bench frame structure through footrest holes wherein only one footrest peg is inserted through a footrest hole and the other footrest peg rests on the outside of the bench frame structure.

5. A versatile dismountable exercise apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said accessories include: an extension pulley support having one said pulley rotationally connected to said pulley support.

6. A versatile dismountable exercise apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said accessories include:

a tube holding a deadlift bar and said tube being rotationally engaged to said base post by a connector means.

7. A versatile dismountable exercise apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said accessories include:

a scott bench having <<L>> hooks fixedly attached and pads releasbly attached by way of hook and pile fasteners.

8. A versatile dismountable exercise apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said accessories include:

a chin-up bar having two oppositely oriented hooks to eliminate the tendency to tilt.

9. A versatile dismountable exercise apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said accessories include:

an elbow rest assembly having elbow pads, grip handles adjustable along handles holes on a frame;

said elbow rest assembly inserting a big hole peg into a big hole and using said tabs to connect to said base posts so that said elbow rest assembly does not rotate; said big hole peg terminating with a clipped pin to lock said elbow rest assembly into place.

10. A versatile dismountable exercise apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said accessories include:

an upright calf machine having a <<Y>> shaped frame with shoulders pads at the top of said <<Y>> and a chain connected at the junction of the top of said <<Y>> and the leg of said <<Y>>

and a distal end of said leg of said <<Y>> being rotationally connected to one of said upper posts by way of equipment holes.

11. A versatile dismountable exercise apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said accessories include:

A sit down calf accessory releasably attached to said multi-purpose bench having adjustable knee pads, a support post, and a weight receiving peg.

12. A versatile dismountable exercise apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said accessories include:

a leg curl accessory having upper leg curl pads and lower leg curl pads; and said weight receiving peg.

13. A versatile dismountable exercise apparatus as in claim 1 wherein: <<L>> hooks fixedly attached to various accessories insure interface between said acesory and said transverse bar.

14. A versatile dismountable exercise apparatus as in claim 1 wherein: said base post being connected to said base plate by a clipped pin.