US20030186792A1 - Exercise apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

An exercise aid with a crenellated surface is spaced from a support surface such as a wall or door. An elastomeric resistance member is slid between the crenellated surface and the support surface to be located in a selected crenel at a selected height. Exercises are performed by grasping the elastomeric resistance member and extending the member against the resistance of the exercise aid which is attached to the support surface.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION
• This invention relates to an exercise aid which when coupled with an elastomeric resistance element may be used as an exercise apparatus to perform various exercises to firm and tone the body as it stretches against the resistance offered by the elastomeric resistance member.[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• The benefits of exercise are well recognized particularly when performed on a regular basis. One disadvantage of many existing exercise apparatus is that they are bulky and expensive with the result that many individuals do not find them affordable or convenient to use in their home or when they are travelling away from home. As a result, many gymnastic facilities are available so that a number of exercise apparatus may be used, such facilities often being provided at holiday resorts as well as hotels to accommodate the requirements of guests who wish to maintain a regular exercise routine.[0002]
• An object of this invention is to provide a simple exercise aid which is inexpensive and readily mounted to a fixed structure so that it will be convenient and available to a user whether exercising at home or away from home.[0003]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• In accordance with this invention there is provided an exercise aid having a crenellated surface and which extends longitudinally between end portions, the end portions extending transversely to the crenellated surface for spacing the crenellated surface from a support surface such as a wall to define a space for slidingly receiving an elastomeric resistance member therebetween.[0004]
• When combined with an elastomeric member, preferably with handgrips fixed to opposite ends of the elastomeric member, the exercise aid defines an exercise apparatus which can be mounted permanently at the home or other desired location with fasteners to secure the apparatus to a wall or temporarily with securement straps to the front edge of the door.[0005]
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• In order that the invention can be more clearly understood, a preferred embodiment is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:[0006]
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the exercise aid in combination with an elastomeric member having hand grips;[0007]
• FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 mounted to a vertical wall surface;[0008]
• FIG. 3 is a similar view to FIG. 2 of circled area three and drawn to a larger scale;[0009]
• FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 secured to a door with securement straps; and[0010]
• FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an exercise aid made in accordance with the invention.[0011]
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT WITH REFERENCE TO DRAWINGS
• An exercise aid made in accordance with the invention is generally indicated in FIG. 1 by[0012]reference numeral20. Theexercise aid20 has a crenellated surface defined by a crenellatedrod22 having a plurality ofcrenels24 spaced along the length thereof betweenmerlons26. In the embodiment illustrated, thecrenellated rod22 is fixed at its ends to anelongate support member28 in the form of a wood bar. Theelongate support bar28, in this case, extends along the length of thecrenellated rod22 and has a pair of end portions in the form ofblocks30 which extend transversely to the elongate support bar so as to space thecrenellated rod22 from a support surface.
• The[0013]exercise aid20 is shown in FIG. 2 mounted to a vertical support surface such as awall32 having an exterior plaster covering34 and an inner vertically extendingwall joist36. Here it will be seen that theelongate support bar28 and theend blocks30 are pre-drilled to define a countersunk opening38 at each end of thesupport bar28 for receiving a threaded fastener40 (see detail view of FIG. 3).
• As seen most clearly in FIG. 3 the[0014]end blocks30 not only serve to mount theexercise aid20 to thewall32 but also space the crenellatedrod22 from the surface of thewall32 by a distance sufficient to slidingly receive anelastomeric resistance member42 between the crenellatedrod22 and the wall surface. Theelastomeric resistance member42 shown more fully in FIGS. 1 and 2 may consist of a length of rubber tubing or suitable equivalent which will resist stretching so that a user graspinghand grips44 provided at the ends of theelastomeric resistance member42 will have to exercise force to stretch the member and upon release of the force, themember42 will resume its original length. Thehand grips44 are shown in the form of loops having a slot for coupling to theelastomeric member42. In this way, thegrips44 may be disengaged from the elastomeric member, if this is desired, or the effective length of the elastomeric member can be adjusted. Conveniently, thehand grips44 are of sufficiently narrow width that they can be threaded through the space between thecrenellated rod32 and thewall34 to be disengaged from theexercise aid20.
• As indicated by the ghost-outline position shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings, the[0015]elastomeric resistance member42 may be moved vertically to a selectedcrenel24 to any desired height suitable for performing any particular exercise or for accommodating users of different height. In FIG. 3, theelastomeric resistance member42 is shown in cross-section and located by thecrenel24 adjacent to a bottom end of theexercise aid20.
• While it is preferred for the[0016]exercise aid20 to be mounted permanently to a vertical surface such as a wall in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, it will be appreciated that the device may be transported by a user for temporary mounting to any convenient vertical surface including a post, a door, or even a tree. In FIG. 4, theexercise aid20 is shown coupled to thefront edge46 of adoor48 shown in an open position spaced from adoor jam50. Thedoor48 may be held in the open position illustrated by a door stop (not shown). A pair of securementstraps52 adjustable in length and disposed at opposite ends of the exercise aid are used to encircle thedoor48 with theexercise aid20 disposed between thestraps52 and thefront edge46 of thedoor20. While theexercise aid20 has been shown in FIG. 4 to be mounted in an upper vertical portion of thedoor48, it may equally be mounted to a lower vertical portion of the door and if desired, two such aids could be mounted one above the other.
• It will be appreciated that several variations may be made to the above-described preferred embodiment of the invention within the scope of the appended claims, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The crenellated[0017]rod22 could be fixed to theend blocks30 instead of theelongate support bar28. It will also be appreciated that the elongated crenellated rod does not need to extend the full length of the associated support bar.
• As shown in FIG. 5, an exercise aid[0018]60 is integrally fabricated in one piece, a crenellatedsurface62 being formed on anelongate support bar64 on one side thereof between a pair of integrally formedend blocks66,68 for spacing thesupport bar64 from a support surface. Thecrenellated surface62 has a plurality ofcrenels70 spaced along the length thereof betweenrespective merlons72. Anelastomeric resistance member74 is shown in FIG. 5 trapped in acrenel70 at a selected height in similar fashion to theelastomeric resistance member42 of FIG. 1.Respective hand grips76 are provided at free ends of theelastomeric resistance member74.
• Still further variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.[0019]

Claims (9)

1. An exercise aid having a crenellated surface and extending longitudinally between end portions, said end portions extending transversely to said crenellated surface for spacing the crenellated surface from a support surface to define a space for slidingly receiving an elongate elastomeric resistance member therebetween.

2. Exercise aid according toclaim 1 having an elongate support member coupled to said end portions and supporting a crenellated rod, said rod defining the crenellated surface.

3. Exercise aid according toclaim 1 having fasteners for securing the end portions to a support surface.

4. Exercise aid according toclaim 1 having a pair of adjustable securement straps for securing the exercise aid to a support surface.

5. Exercise aid assembly having an exercise aid according toclaim 1 and an elongate elastomeric resistance member with hand grips fixed to opposite ends thereof.

6. Exercise aid according toclaim 2 having fasteners for securing the end portions to a support surface.

7. Exercise aid according toclaim 2 having a pair of adjustable securement straps for securing the exercise aid to a support surface.

8. Exercise aid assembly having an exercise aid according toclaim 2 and an elongate elastomeric resistance member with hand grips fixed to opposite ends thereof.

9. Exercise apparatus comprising

an exercise aid according toclaim 1 coupled to a vertical support surface at said end portions,

securement means for securing the exercise aid to said vertical support surface,

and an elongate elastomeric resistance member with hand grips formed on opposite ends thereof slidable between said crenellated surface and said vertical support surface for location at a selected crenel on said crenellated surface.

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