US20140031182A1 - Wall-Mounted Home Fitness Training Equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

An overall fitness trainer and can be a wall mounted unit that can utilize clip resistance bands as well as other techniques. These bands generally clip on the unit and onto different handles, bars and attachments to perform exercises. The unit can have a removable/adjustable pull up bar, dip bar and seat. It also includes a spring loaded, pull pin carriage that moves freely up and down a vertical spine. This allows for easy adjustment of the carriage and allows the user to attach the bands at multiple angles, widths and levels. This in turn increases the number of exercises the user can perform on the unit. The unit can be attached to the wall with lag bolts into two or more studs.

Description

• This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 13/016,750 filed Jan. 28, 2011 which was a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 12/228,998 filed Aug. 19, 2008. Application Ser. Nos. 13/016,750 and 12/228,998 are hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
• 1. Field of the Invention
• The present invention relates generally to the field of home exercise equipment and more particularly to a wall-mounted home fitness unit with removable parts that adapts to numerous different exercises.
• 2. Description of the Prior Art
• It is known in the art to provide exercise equipment into the home which can be wall-mounted. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,339,125 teaches a single column exercising apparatus using a stack of weights. U.S. Pat. No. 5,383,525 teaches a wall-mounted shower exercise machine used for stretching muscles. U.S. Pat. No. 4,402,504 teaches an adjustable exercise device that uses a two-ended cable for providing resistance to pulling. U.S. Pat. No. 6,328,679 teaches a wall-mountable device that uses a horizontal hinge rod assembly with springs. U.S. published application 2001/0004624 teaches a body exerciser that leans against a wall. U.S. published application 2003/0158024 teaches a door mounted exercise device that allows pulling on bungee cords. None of these prior art systems allow parts to be removed and exchanged for different exercises. Also most of the prior art wall-mounted home systems do not allow adjustment for different users and for causing different muscles to be exercised. It would be advantageous to have a wall-mounted, home exercise system that overcomes the difficulties of prior art systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention relates to an overall fitness trainer and can be a wall mounted unit that can utilize clip resistance bands as well as other techniques. These bands generally clip on the unit and onto different handles, bars and attachments to perform exercises. The unit can have a removable/adjustable pull up bar, dip bar and seat. It also includes a spring loaded, pull pin carriage that moves freely up and down a vertical spine. This allows for easy adjustment of the carriage and allows the user to attach the bands at multiple angles, widths and levels. This in turn increases the number of exercises the user can perform on the unit. The unit also typically has an o ring that attaches through the arm of the pull up attachment as well as a ½ O-ring at the bottom of the unit again increasing the number of exercises the user can perform. The unit can be attached to the wall with lag bolts into two or more studs with two being preferred. Some embodiments of the present invention have an adjustable swivel foot that takes the stress off of the lag bolts and also adds to the overall load capacity of the unit. The present invention typically has an optional telescoping central vertical spine that splits in two pieces to make the unit easier to ship. The central vertical spine allows attachments to be added and removed using spring loaded pins or plunger pins. Various embodiments of the invention can have an oscillating and telescopic bench, a dip bar, a seat, a knee stabilizer and a foot rest. All of these accessories can be attached and removed to the central spine adding to the versatility and scope of exercises that can be performed. The present invention is suitable for physical therapy/rehabilitation facilities, commercial gyms and schools, as well as home use.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
• Attention is directed to several figures that illustrate the concepts of the present invention:
• FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention with several accessories attached.
• FIG. 2 shows the embodiment ofFIG. 1 with several metal accessories on the vertical spine.
• FIG. 3 shows a side view of the embodiment ofFIG. 2.
• FIG. 4 shows a front view of the embodiment ofFIG. 2.
• FIG. 5 shows a user facing the unit performing an exercise.
• FIG. 6 shows a particular embodiment of a two-piece spine.
• FIG. 7 shows a detail of a removable horizontal bar.
• FIG. 8 shows a detail of a removable arm bar.
• FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of the invention with an ankle cuff.
• FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of the invention with a baseball bat.
• FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of the invention with a baseball.
• FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of the invention with the bench attached and extended.
• FIG. 13 shows an embodiment of the invention arranged for chest presses.
• FIG. 14 shows an embodiment of the invention arranged for chin-ups.
• FIG. 15 shows an embodiment of the invention arranged for curls.
• FIG. 16 shows an embodiment of the invention with a football.
• FIG. 17 shows an embodiment of the invention with a golf club.
• FIG. 18 shows an embodiment of the invention with a plyo ball.
• FIG. 19 shows an embodiment of the invention arranged for a single curl.
• FIG. 20 shows an embodiment of the invention arranged for a squat.
• FIG. 21 shows an embodiment of the invention arranged for a tricep exercise.
• FIG. 22 shows a baseball bat handle with a ring.
• FIG. 23 shows a baseball with a ring.
• FIG. 24 shows a medicine ball with a ring.
• FIG. 25 shows boxing gloves with rings.
• FIG. 26 shows a straight bar.
• FIG. 27 shows a football with a ring.
• FIG. 28 shows a curl bar.
• FIG. 29 shows a squat belt.
• FIG. 30 shows a band with clips.
• FIG. 31 shows a golf club handle.
• FIG. 32 shows details of a band clip and attachment.
• FIG. 33 shows a group of bands with different pull forces.
• FIGS. 34A-34C show an ab-exerciser cart.
• Several drawings and illustrations have been presented to aid in understanding the present invention. The scope of the present invention is not limited to what is shown in the figures.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention relates to a wall-mountable home fitness or exercise apparatus and method that allows a user to perform numerous exercises on the same piece of equipment by simply changing out accessory parts. The unit generally has a single rigid central spine. A two inch rectangular steel channel is preferred; however, any strong vertical member can be used. Onto this spine, a group of removable accessories can be attached or removed at will. Several different elastic cord attachments and attachment points inject resistance into various exercises. At least the following accessories can be used with the present invention: straight bar with ½ O-ring and outer attachments, leg press, ankle cuffs, Ab blaster/leg extension, single Handle, curl bar, rope, bench, step, Ab slings, Plyo ball, boxing gloves w/sewn in D-ring, base ball bat handle, golf handle, baseball/softball and football. It should be noted that the abbreviation Ab means abdomen.
• Turning toFIG. 1, a portion of awall1 and afloor2 can be seen. Avertical spine3 is securely attached to thewall1. At the top of thespine3, anoutward hanging portion10 allows attachment of various items such as abungie19 andbar15, a boxing bag or punching bag, or other device. Further down thespine3, ahorizontal bar7 is shown with abungie18 and hand pull16. Further down, a set ofarm bars6 andback rest5 can be seen. Still further down, aseat4 is attached. Each of these attachments shown can slide up and down on thespine3. In addition, each attachment or accessory can be removed using a pin or spring-loaded pull pin, where the pin inserts in ahole12 in thespine3. In particular, any of the accessories can be arranged vertically in any order. The order shown inFIG. 1 is simply to illustrate a particular configuration of the device.
• FIG. 2 shows the embodiment ofFIG. 1 without the bungies. Here several stud mounts orstud plates14 can be seen. These are typically chosen to reach between two studs so that secure mounting can be made with a pair of lag bolts on each of these stud mounts14. The embodiment ofFIG. 2 has three stud mounts14 vertically along thespine3. Shown also inFIG. 2 is aring11 attached to the center of thehorizontal bar7.
• FIG. 3 shows a side view of the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-2. The stud mounts14 can be clearly seen against thewall1. Each of the attachments or accessories can have a partial or full channel to fit around thespine3. The seat has achannel8; the arm bar achannel12; the horizontal bar has achannel13. Thetop extension10 can also be removed vertical from thespine3. InFIG. 3, thering11 on the horizontal bar can be seen as well as a ring or half-ring17 on thetop extension10. Other rings or attachments may be built into various accessories.
• FIG. 4 shows a straight-on front view of the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-3. The stud mounts14 can be seen. It should be noted that the stud mounts14 can be of any length to fit any types of studs or to attach to more than two studs. While two studs are preferred for strength and ease of mounting, any number of studs is within the scope of the present invention.FIG. 4 also shows a pull-upbar9 mounted to the top of the unit onto the top extension10 (seeFIGS. 1-3).
• FIG. 5 shows a stick-figure user performing one particular exercise. It should be noted that the apparatus and method of the present invention allows numerous different exercises to be performed. A complete list of exercises supported by the present invention can be found at the end of this disclosure.
• FIG. 6 shows a detail of a particular embodiment and realization of thevertical spine3. This particular embodiment allows thespine3 to be split into anupper part3aand alower part3bfor ease of packing and shipping. The two parts of the spine can be coupled together with bolts for strength or by any other strong coupling method. The particular embodiment shown inFIG. 6 has dimensions to aid in the understanding of the invention. These dimensions are for example only; any dimensions are within the scope of the present invention. These are preferred dimensions; however, many different dimensions may be used. In this particular example, both the top and bottom half-spines are 36 inches long. Each hasholes 2 inches apart, and each hole is 0.44 inch in diameter.
• FIG. 7 shows a detail of an embodiment of thehorizontal bar7. Here apartial channel20 allows it to be inserted and removed from the vertical spine3 (shown inFIG. 2). A spring-loadedpull pin23 allows thebar7 to be moved vertically along thespine3 and to be removed. Each end of thebar7 has attachment points22 for bungies which can also be called stretch cords, or other exercise accessories. The center of thebar7 can be optionally equipped with a half-ring21 and afull ring11.
• FIG. 8 shows a detail of an embodiment of anarm bar6. Thebar6 can haveflat plates15 which can hold pads or soft rolls to protect the arm. Ahalf channel25 allows attachment and removal from the spine3 (seeFIG. 2).Fittings24 can hold vertical handles.
• FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of the invention with anankle cuff26. Here the user stands and can pull thecuff26 against a bungie.FIG. 10 shows an embodiment with abaseball bat27. A standing user can swing thebat27 into a bungie.FIG. 11 shows abaseball39 attached to a bungie. A standing user can practices throwing theball39 against the force of the bungie.FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of the invention fully benched. Aseat29, back28 andlegs30 from a sitting bench that can be used in many exercises or with weights. The back28 andseat29 can be adjusted both in angle and height.FIG. 13 shows an arrangement of the device set up for chest presses. Abar31 can be pressed outward against a bungie.FIG. 14 shows an arrangement set up for chin-ups. A standing user can chin themselves vertically on thebar9.FIG. 15 shows a set up for curls using thebar32.FIG. 16 shows an embodiment of the invention with afootball33. A standing user can pass thefootball33 against the force of the bungie.FIG. 17 shows a set up with agolf club34. Here an individual can swing theclub34 into the force of the bungie.FIG. 18 shows a set up with a plyo ball35. The user can manipulate the ball35 against the force of the bungie.FIG. 19 shows a set up for a single curl using ahand grip18 that works against the force of a bungie.FIG. 20 shows an embodiment of the invention set up for squats. Astrap36 andpad37 allow the user to perform squats.FIG. 21 shows a setup with aspecial handle38 for a tricep exercise.
• As has been described, the present invention includes many different attachments and exercise devices that may be attached with snaps or rings, with or without stretch cords.
• FIG. 22 shows a baseball bat handle that is a streamlined version of a full length bat. The bat is cut off so that the user holds only the handle. A ring can attached to a stretch cord and onto any part of the apparatus.
• FIG. 23 shows a baseball with an embedded O-ring. This can be attached with a clip to a stretchable cord and to any piece of the apparatus. The ball can be gripped and a user can go through a pitching action.
• FIG. 24 shows a handled medicine ball with a ring that can be attached with a stretch cord to any part of the apparatus.
• FIG. 25 shows a pair of boxing gloves that can have rings that can be attached with a stretch cord to any part of the apparatus. A user can thus box against the force of the cord strengthening arm and wrist muscles.
• FIG. 26 shows a straight bar that can be used with the present invention.
• FIG. 27 shows a football with a ring that can be moved against the force of the cord such as in a pass movement strengthening the arm muscles.
• FIG. 28 shows a curl bar that can be used with the present invention.
• FIG. 29 shows a squat belt that can be worn around the waist using the straps shown. The belt can then be attached to the apparatus at one or several points with stretch cords. The belt can be used for squat or other exercises simply be setting where the cords are attached to the apparatus.
• FIG. 30 shows a typical stretch cord band with clips on each end. This type of band can be attached on one end to any of the accessories described, and on the other end to any part of the apparatus appropriate for a particular exercise.
• FIG. 31 shows a golf club handle that is cut off in a manner similar to the baseball handle ofFIG. 22. Many other accessories can be made like the baseball handle ofFIG. 22 or the golf club handle ofFIG. 31. In particular, a hockey stick can be cut off with an O-ring placed at the bottom part of the stick just above the blade, and a lacrosse stick can be made in a similar way by cutting it short and placing an O-ring on the back side just underneath the end.
• The present invention forms a complete system that can accommodate numerous exercises by simply changing the arrangement. The frame can mount simply to the wall in a garage, house or other building.
• List of Exercises Supported by the Present Invention
• Chest Exercises
1 Arm Standing Chest Press w/ Handle
• Standing Chest Press w/Straight Bar
Close Grip Bench Press Curl BarStanding Chest Fly w/ HandlesSeated Incline Bench Press Straight BarSeated Incline Bench Fly w/ HandlesSeated Bench Press w/ Straight BarSeated Bench Press w/ HandlesSeated Bench Flies w/ Handles
• Dips on Dip Bar attachment
Single Arm Chest Fly W/Handle Perpendicular toMachine2 Handled Chest Squeeze
• Pullovers w/handles or straight bar
Cable Cross Over HandlesElevated Resistance Push Ups (Feet on Bench)Back ExercisesHigh Standing Row Straight BarReverse Grip High Standing Row Straight Bar
• One arm high row handle
  One arm low row handle
Straight Arm Pull Downs Straight Bar
• Low Pulley Row sitting on Step Handle or Straight Bar
Wide Handled Reverse Fly HandlesSeated One Arm Pull Down HandleSeated Pulldown Straight BarWide Bent Over Row Straight BarGood Mornings Straight Bar or RopePull UpsChin Ups
• Back Hyper extensions
Lat Pull Over on Bench HandlesBicepsStanding Curls Straight BarStanding Curls Curl Bar
• 1 Arm Alternating Standing Curl Handles At multiple angles
2 Arm Standing Curls Handles1 Arm Hammer Curl1 Arm Handled Concentration CurlHigh Handled CurlHigh Curl BarSeated Curl Back To MachineIncline Handled CurlTricepsPush Downs Curl BarPush Downs Straight BarPush Downs RopeIncline French Presses Curl Bar or HandlesFlat French Presses Curl Bar or HandlesReverse Grip Pushdowns Curl Bar1 Arm Seated Tricep Extensions1 Arm Handled Reverse Grip PushdownStanding Tricep Extension Back To Machine Rope/Curl Bar1 Arm Kick Backs Handle2 Arm Kick Backs Facing Machine Curl BarDipsBench DipsCross Body Tricep Extension HandlesClose Grip Bench Press BarShouldersSeated Shoulder Press Bar1 Arm Handled Shoulder Press1 Arm Handled Arnold Shoulder PressUpright Rows BarUpright Rows Handle1 Arm Handled Lateral Raises2 Arm Straight Bar Frontal Raises1 Arm Handled Frontal RaisesBent Over Flies HandledHandled External Shoulder RotationHandled Shoulder Rotation Lying DownStanding Military Press BarHandled Internal Shoulder RotationShrugs BarElevated Push Ups W/or W/O Band ResistanceLegsSquat Bar W/ResistanceSquat In U-Can Squat Belt1 Legged Squat In U-Can Squat BeltSquats W/Handled ResistanceLunges BarLunges Handled ResistanceStanding Leg CurlsToe Raises In U Can Squat BeltToes Raises Bar/HandlesStraight Leg Dead Lift BarStanding Leg Curl Ankle StrapStanding Leg Kick Ankle StrapStanding Knee Ups Ankle StrapLying Down Single Leg Raise Ankle StrapLying On Side Single Leg RaiseLeg Raises Incredi-ab Attachment/Ankle StrapStanding Leg Abductor Ankle StrapTwisting Leg Raises on Dip AttachmentSeated Leg Extensions Incredi-ab or Ankle StrapStanding Leg Adductor Ankle StrapAbsCrunches On Knees Facing Unit RopeResistance Crunches on Bench Rope/Multiple AnglesCrunches With Exercise Ball and Band ResistanceHanging Leg Raises Pull Up BarKnee Ups Sitting on Bench Incredi-ab AttachmentOblique Knee Ups on Bench Incredi-ab AttachmentBridged Leg Lifts Ankle StrapRussian Twist Medicine Ball & Resistance BandsDiagonal Chops Medicine Ball & Resistance BandsForward Facing Chops Medicine Ball & Resistance BandsStanding Arm Rotation HandleStanding Rotational Chops Ball HandleCaptain's Chair Exercise on Dip Bar Back SupportResistance Side BendsSeated Ab TwistSports SpecificBaseball ThrowSoftball ThrowFootball ThrowGolf SwingBaseball SwingBoxing Punch Training Gloves w/D RingHeavy Bag Station Attach Bag to Pull Up ArmKicking Training Ankle Bands
• Returning toFIG. 30, an exact length of cord can be used with a particular diameter cord to achieve optimum results. It has been found that the optimal length of the cord is 18 inches. With the ends and two clips, this results in a device that is 28 inches long when laid out unstretched. The typical user will stretch the cord to twice the natural length for optimum pull and an optimum workout. It is important that the device not be too long (which results in less force) or too short (which results in the cord reaching a stretch limit which the athlete's movement at the wrong position). It is also very important to a good workout that there be a swivel clip on each end of the stretch cord. A piece of covered tubing, or other intermediate connecting section, can be used between the swivel clip and the cord to provide a possible hand-hold and to reach the correct total length. This connection section can be covered with a fabric such as NYLON™ This is shown inFIG. 32.
• It should be noted that the overall length of substantially 28 inches is very important so that the user can pull the cord to twice its length during a normal exercise. The length of the stretch cord of substantially 18 inches is also very important so that the correct force is achieved over a total pull for the particular diameter. A connecting section between the swivel clip and the stretch cord can be made from covered tubing and should be carefully chosen so that the unstretched length of the cord is substantially 18 inches and the unstretched length of the entire device is substantially 28 inches.
• Accessories may then be clipped to one end of the device with the other end attachable to the exercise device previously described, to a wall or to a ball that holds the cord by use of a closed room door.
• Different pull forces can be achieved by providing the device ofFIG. 30 with different diameter stretch cords. This is shown inFIG. 33 for several different diameter cords. The pull force is measured when the stretch cord is pulled to approximately twice its unstretched length, or approximately 36 inches. A range of different devices with different pull strengths can thus be created. Typical values are 5 lb., 9 lb., 12 lb., 18 lb., 25 lb., 35 lb., and 50 lb. devices. Cords can optionally be color-coded for easy identification of pull force. Because the lengths of the devices are all the same, it is also possible to double up two or more cords to achieve a particular force. Various accessories such as a handle grip, ankle strap, ab-strap, 8 lb. medicine ball, squat belt, curl bar and straight bar can be used. Wall or door anchors can be used to secure the un-pulled end. Typically, two of the devices with equal force are used in a particular workout. However, it is within the scope of the present invention to use one device or to use two devices with different pull forces at the same time. An example, might be a device of one force for one arm and a second device with a different pull force for the corresponding leg.
• A different accessory of the present invention is an ab-cart. This can be a flat dolly-like cart with typically four swivel wheels. Embodiments can have three rings for clipping onto the stretch cord devices just mentioned. This cart allows a complete workout of the abs by pulling via the stretch cords in three different directions. The user sits on the cart with the three cords connected. By moving the cart again
• Several descriptions and illustrations have been presented to aid in understanding the present invention. One skilled in the art will realize that numerous changes and variations are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. Each of these changes and variations is within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (9)

I claim:

1. An exercise device comprising:

a dolly-like cart with at least 4 wheels and three attachment hooks, said attachment hooks being placed on three sides of said cart;

at least three stretch cord devices, each attached to one of said attachment hooks on said cart at a first end and to a fixed structure at a second end;

each of said stretch cord devices comprising:

a stretch cord of a particular diameter substantially 18 inches long in an unstretched condition with first and second ends;

first and second swivel clips;

first and second connecting sections, wherein said first connecting section connects the first swivel clip with said first end, and said second connecting section connects the second swivel clip with said second end,

wherein, total length of the device including said first and second swivel clips, said first and second connecting sections and said stretch cord in an unstretched condition is substantially 28 inches long;

and wherein the particular diameter is chosen to achieve a desired pull force.

2. The exercise device ofclaim 1 wherein each stretch cord device is color-coded according to pull force.

3. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein said pull force is measured when said stretch cord is stretched to approximately twice its unstretched length.

4. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein said wheels are swivel wheels.

5. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein said stretch cords each have equal pull forces of 5 lbs, 9 lbs., or 12 lbs.

6. A workout apparatus comprising a rectangular cart with a bottom and four sides, said cart having four swivel wheels on said bottom, and three hooks on three different of said sides;

three workout pull cord devices of equal pull force, each attached at one end to one of said hooks and attached at a second end to a door or wall, each of said workout pull cord devices comprising:

an elastic stretch cord substantially 18 inches long with a diameter chosen for a particular pull force, said stretch cord having a swivel clip connected on each end with a connecting section, wherein said apparatus has a total unstretched length of substantially 28 inches.

7. The apparatus ofclaim 6 wherein each of said elastic stretch cords is color coded according to pull force.

8. The apparatus ofclaim 6 wherein said pull force is measured when said elastic stretch cord is stretched to approximately twice its unstretched length.

9. The apparatus ofclaim 6 wherein said elastic stretch cords each have equal pull forces of 5 lbs, 9 lbs., or 12 lbs.

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