Patent ID: 6645130
Filing Date: 2003-11-11
Classification: A63B

Abstract:
A foldable exercise bench apparatus, comprisinga stationary frame; an exercise bench pivotally mounted on the frame for movement between a retracted, generally upright storage position and at least one deployed position for supporting a person during exercise, the bench having opposite first and second ends; a support foot adjacent the first end of the bench having an upper end pivotally mounted relative to the bench for rotation between a first, storage position extending generally alongside the bench when the bench is in the upright, storage position, and a second, support position in which the support foot extends at an angle to the bench and engages the floor to support the bench in the deployed position; a pivotal linkage between the support foot and frame for automatically pivoting the support foot from the second position to the first, storage position when the bench is moved into the upright, storage position; the pivotal linkage comprising a four-bar linkage having a first connecting link and a second connecting link, a front pivot pivotally connecting the first connecting link to the support foot, a rear pivot pivotally connecting the first connecting link to the frame, and second front and rear pivots pivotally connecting the second connecting link to the support foot and the frame, respectively, at locations spaced below the first connecting link pivots; the relationship between the front and rear pivots of the first and second connecting links being such that, when the bench is moved from the deployed position to the storage position, the front pivot of the second connecting link is moved to a predetermined location relative to a line connecting the front pivot of the first connecting link to the rear pivot of the second connecting link, whereby the bench and support foot are locked in the storage position and can be released only by first rotating the support foot upwardly about said first connecting link front pivot; and the bench and support foot each being freely movable from the deployed and second positions to the storage and first positions, respectively, by lifting the bench.