Abstract:
A free-standing exercise apparatus is provided which comprises a base, at least one leg extending, in use, upwardly from the base, and a substantially horizontal bar attached to the at least one leg at an end substantially opposite to the base, wherein the bar has a substantially rectilinear first portion and at least one second portion arranged substantially in the same plane as, but substantially non-perpendicularly to, the first portion.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present non-provisional patent application claims the benefit of priority of foreign Patent Application No. GB1000997.5 which is entitled A FREE-STANDING EXERCISE APPARATUS and which was filed Jan. 22, 2010, which is incorporated in full by reference herein. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to a free-standing exercise apparatus, a method of assembly of said apparatus and to a method of exercise using said apparatus and finds particular, although not exclusive, utility in improving a user&#39;s fitness. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Free standing exercise apparatus are useful for exercising in both domestic situations and gymnasia. Exercise apparatus which allows a user to pull themselves upwardly away from the floor are typically substantially attached in some way to the fabric of a building, or to the floor, or require to be braced against part of a building such as in a door way. However, free-standing apparatus does not require any such attachment or bracing which means it is more easily installed and allows it to be moved as required. 
         [0004]    Such apparatus may also be capable of disassembly for ease of transport and may therefore be portable. 
         [0005]    One such exercise apparatus is described in GB-A-2393919. However, the apparatus is relatively heavy and bulky and comprises separate members which have to be attached together using standard nuts and bolts. In other words, the apparatus has to be put together by selection of the appropriate adjacent members. Moreover, the apparatus provides limited positions for a user&#39;s hands to grip in use. It would be desirable therefore to provide an alternative apparatus which offers improved assembly/disassembly and the possibility of different hand gripping positions. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    In one aspect, the invention provides a free-standing exercise apparatus comprising a base, at least one leg extending, in use, upwardly from the base, and an upper gripping member attached to the at least one leg at an end substantially opposite to the base, wherein the upper gripping member comprises a substantially horizontal and rectilinear first portion, two second portions arranged substantially in the same plane as, but substantially non-perpendicular to, the first portion, and a third portion arranged substantially in the same plane as, and substantially perpendicular to, the first portion, wherein the two second portions are arranged either side of the third portion forming a triangular shape, with the first portion, in the said plane. 
         [0007]    In one embodiment, the apparatus may be assembled such that the upper gripping member is above a user&#39;s head when the user stands adjacent it such that the user may use the apparatus to pull themselves up. Alternatively, the apparatus may be assembled such that the upper gripping member is substantially at chest height when the user stand adjacent it. Alternatively, the apparatus may be at assembled such that the upper gripping member is at waist height so that a user may push themselves upwardly. Other intermediate positions are also possible for the height of the upper gripping member relative to the base. 
         [0008]    The arrangement of the first and second portions allows a user to grip one portion with each hand, in use, such that the user&#39;s hands are oriented at differing angles within the said plane. This may provide a more comfortable experience for the user and allows for different muscle groups to be worked compared to a situation where the user&#39;s hands are substantially in line with one another along a rectilinear bar. In this respect, the at least one second portion may be arranged such that it is not parallel to the first portion. 
         [0009]    The first, second and third portions may be tubular, although other shapes are contemplated. 
         [0010]    The base may include at least one telescopically extendable foot. This allows the area of the base to be adjusted as required. More than one foot may also be provided, such as two feet. The telescopic nature of the foot also allows for the apparatus to be packed into a relatively small volume when disassembled. The foot may be of square-section, although other shapes are contemplated. 
         [0011]    The second portion may be connected to the first and third portions. This connection may be at each end of the second portion. In this way a triangle of portions lying substantially in the same plane as each other may be provided. This allows more hand gripping positions and combinations thereof. 
         [0012]    There are three triangles provided with the arrangement of the first, second and third portions; one arranged on one side of the third portion and formed by the first, second and third portions, one arranged on the other side of the third portion and formed by the first, other second, and third portions, and one formed by the first and two second portions. This provides even more versatility and allows a user to grip the gripping member with each hand at a multitude of angles and also allows the user to position their body at differing angles relative to the apparatus. This allows for more muscle groups to be worked than has hithertofore been possible. 
         [0013]    The free-standing exercise apparatus may include more than one arrangement of second and third portions at differing locations along the length of the first portion. In this way, another one to three triangular shape portions may be provided at least at one other location along the length of the first portion. 
         [0014]    The gripping member may include a carrying handle. This permits the apparatus to be portable when disassembled. In one sense therefore the apparatus is portable. 
         [0015]    The first portion may include at least one fourth substantially rectilinear portion arranged at one end and extending out of the plane in which the first portion substantially lies. This portion may also be tubular. It may extend downwardly towards the base. Alternatively, it may extend upwardly. Two fourth portions may be provided one at each end of the first member. They may both extend downwardly or upwardly or in substantially opposite directions. 
         [0016]    The gripping member may be removably attachable to the apparatus and may be arranged to accept weights for the purpose of using it as a bar bell. This allows greater versatility for the user and obviates the need for a separate bar bell for the purpose of weight lifting. 
         [0017]    The free-standing exercise apparatus may include resiliently biased bolts (or “pull-pins”) for adjustably maintaining the position of at least some of the base, leg and upper gripping member in relation to one another. These resiliently biased bolts may include springs which bias the bolts to an extended or retracted position. Such bolts may have to be manually pulled, pushed or twisted to overcome the biasing force such that they can be moved to the retracted or extended position to allow movement between the various members comprising the apparatus. One or more such bolts may include means, such as cotter pins, for locking the bolts in the extended or retracted position such that free movement of two or more members is possible. These bolts allow for relatively quick assembly and disassembly and obviate the need for tools such as spanners etc. In at least this sense, the free-standing exercise apparatus may include quick-release bolts for allowing the apparatus to be assembled and disassembled relatively easily and substantially without the need for tools. 
         [0018]    In one embodiment, each of the adjacent members comprising the apparatus, apart from possibly the gripping member, remain linked to one another so that assembly is relatively easy in that the assembler does not have to select the correct members from a multitude of members. The link between members may be effected by hinges or pivots in the case of the feet and leg members. The link may be the telescopic nature of the feet members (front and rear members), and they may contain means for preventing the two portions from being completely separated. The leg members (upper and lower members) may also comprise such features to prevent their complete separation. In this way, the apparatus may be “un-folded”. 
         [0019]    In a second aspect, the invention provides a method of assembly of a free-standing exercise apparatus comprising the steps of providing a free-standing exercise apparatus according to the first aspect and as described and/or claimed herein, arranging the base on a surface, moving the at least one leg such that its length is substantially perpendicular to the base, and attaching the gripping member to the upper end of the leg. 
         [0020]    The locking of the various members relative to one another to prevent movement therebetween in use may be effected by means of resilient biased bolts although other means are contemplated. 
         [0021]    The at least one leg of the free-standing exercise device may be telescopic, and the method may further comprise the step of extending the length of the leg as required. 
         [0022]    The apparatus may include two legs and the length of each may be adjustable independently. This allows for the apparatus to be assembled on an uneven surface. 
         [0023]    The base of the free-standing exercise apparatus may include two feet each telescopically extendable, and the method may further comprise the step of extending the length of each foot as required. 
         [0024]    The free-standing exercise apparatus may include two legs and adjustable bracing therebetween, and the method may further comprise the step of bracing the two legs apart to substantially fix their positions relative to one another. 
         [0025]    The bracing may comprise two struts each pivotably connected at one end to each leg and pivotably coupled together at their other ends. A movable locking member may be provided to substantially fix the position of the two struts relative to one another. The pivotable connection allows the struts to move relative to the legs during disassembly thereby allowing the two legs to move close to one another thus effecting a small volume when “packed” and disassembled. 
         [0026]    In a third aspect, the invention provides a method of exercise comprising the steps of providing a free-standing exercise apparatus according to the first aspect and as described and/or claimed herein, wherein the at least one leg of the free-standing exercise apparatus is telescopic, attaching at least one weight to the gripping member, and moving the gripping member upwardly and downwardly relative to the base such that the at least one leg extends and contracts telescopically. 
         [0027]    In this way the gripping member is guided as it travels upwardly and downwardly. This provides a safer environment as the user does not need to be concerned if the gripping member is released as it will not hit the floor or the user. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0028]    The above and other characteristics, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. This description is given for the sake of example only, without limiting the scope of the invention. The reference figures quoted below refer to the attached drawings. 
           [0029]      FIG. 1  is an elevational view of the apparatus in an assembled form with the legs extended; 
           [0030]      FIG. 2  is an elevational view of the apparatus in an assembled form with the legs retracted; and 
           [0031]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the apparatus in a disassembled and packed state. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0032]    The present invention will be described with respect to particular embodiments and with reference to certain drawings but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. The drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn to scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and the relative dimensions do not correspond to actual reductions to practice of the invention. 
         [0033]    Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking or in any other manner. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than described or illustrated herein. 
         [0034]    Moreover, the terms top, bottom, over, under and the like in the description and the claims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other orientations than described or illustrated herein. 
         [0035]    It is to be noticed that the term “comprising”, used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being restricted to the means listed thereafter; it does not exclude other elements or steps. It is thus to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components as referred to, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps or components, or groups thereof. Thus, the scope of the expression “a device comprising means A and B” should not be limited to devices consisting only of components A and B. It means that with respect to the present invention, the only relevant components of the device are A and B. 
         [0036]    Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may refer to different embodiments. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments. 
         [0037]    Similarly it should be appreciated that in the description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into this detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention. 
         [0038]    Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination. 
         [0039]    In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practised without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description. 
         [0040]    The invention will now be described by a detailed description of several embodiments of the invention. It is clear that other embodiments of the invention can from the true spirit or technical teaching of the invention, the invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims. 
         [0041]    In  FIG. 1 , the assembled and erected apparatus  10  comprises a base  20 . This base  20  comprises two feet  30 , one at the lower end of each leg  40 . Each foot comprises a rectilinear length of box-section section. Each foot  30  comprises a rear  34  and a front  36  member. The front member  36  has a smaller cross-section than the rear member  34  such that it may be moved telescopically into and out of the larger rear member  34 . This allows the length of the feet  30  to be adjusted as required and allows the apparatus to be packed into a small volume as may be seen in  FIG. 3 . The position of the two members  34 ,  36  of each foot  30  relative to one another may be adjustably fixed by means of a pin (not shown), attached to the rear member  34  by means of a chain  93 , passing through a hole in each member  34 ,  36 , the hole selected from a plurality of holes for the appropriate length as required. Other means of adjustably maintaining the relative positions of the two feet members  34 ,  36  are contemplated such as the pull-pins discussed above. 
         [0042]    Each leg  40  comprises two members  44 ,  46  of generally tubular shape. The lower leg  44  has a larger cross-section than the upper leg  46  such that the upper leg  46  may be moved telescopically into and out of the larger lower leg  44 . This allows the length of the legs  40  to be individually adjusted to cater for uneven ground and for adjustment of the height of the upper gripping member  50  relative to the base  20 . It also allows the apparatus to be packed into a small volume as may be seen in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0043]    The upper  46  and lower  44  leg members are retained in position relative to one another by means of bolts  49   a  provided at the upper end of the lower leg members  44 . Corresponding holes  49   b  are provided in the upper leg members  46  at various positions along their lengths to allow positive locking of the bolts  49   a  therein. Other means of adjustably maintaining the relative positions of the upper  46  and lower  44  leg members are contemplated such as the pull-pins discussed above. 
         [0044]    Each leg  40  may be releasably attached to each foot  30 . Alternatively, or additionally, each leg  40  may be pivotable connected to each foot  30 . 
         [0045]    Slots  91 ,  92  are provided on each lower leg member  44 . These will be described in more detail in conjunction with the discussion regard  FIG. 3  below. 
         [0046]    The upper gripping member  50  is provided at the upper end of the legs  40 . It comprises a first portion  52  which is substantially rectilinear and horizontally positioned. The first portion includes downwardly depending portions which fit inside the upper end of each upper leg member  46 . The position of these downwardly depending portions are indicated by reference numeral “ 54 ”. These portions  54  may be locked to the upper leg members  46  by use of bolts similar to the ones describe above and referenced “ 49   a ”. However, other means of releasably maintaining the upper gripping means  50  to the upper leg members  46  are contemplated such as the pull-pins discussed above. 
         [0047]    From the upper end of each downwardly depending portion  54  a portion  53  extends substantially horizontally. It is to these horizontal sections  53  that the first portion  52  is attached. The first portion  52  extends over the top of both legs  40  and projects beyond the area defined by the base  20 . 
         [0048]    Two second portions  55  are connected to the middle of the length of the first portion and each extends towards a leg  40  such that they extend in different directions to one another. Each second portion  55  extends to the same side of the first portion  52 . Each second portion  55  lies in the same plane as the first portion  52 , but not parallel to it. Each second portion  55  makes a “V” shape arrangement with the first portion  52 . 
         [0049]    A third portion  58  extends from the end of each horizontal portion  53  in the same direction thereas. Each third portion  58  connects the end of each second portion  55 , opposite from the end which is connected to the first portion  52 , to the first portion  52 , to form a triangular shape therebetween. Each third portion  58  extends beyond the end of each second portion  55  to provide another position for gripping by the user in use. 
         [0050]    An additional second portion  56  is also provided substantially above each leg  40 . These additional second portions  56  connect to each end of the first portion  52  at one end and to each of the third portions  58  at their other end in the vicinity where the second portions  55  connect to each third portions  58 . This arrangement provides a triangular shape therebetween. 
         [0051]    The additional second portions  56  also lie in the same plane as the first  52  and second  55  portions. 
         [0052]    A fourth portion  59  is also provided at each end of the first portion  52 . These fourth portions are not in the same plane as the first, second and third portions. Rather, they depend downwardly. 
         [0053]    The arrangement of various portions allows a user to grip the upper gripping member  50  in numerous ways. 
         [0054]    A handle  80  is included at one point along the length of the first portion  52  as will be described in more detail below. 
         [0055]    The various portions may be integral with one another in that they may be manufactured from one piece. Alternatively, one or more various portions may be attached or connected together, such as by welding. 
         [0056]    The apparatus  10  may comprise steel and/or aluminium, although other materials are contemplated. 
         [0057]    To provide greater stability to the apparatus  10  a brace  70  is provided between the legs  40 . This brace  70  comprises two struts  72 ,  74  which are each connected at one end to each of the lower leg members  44 . The two struts  72 ,  74  lie substantially horizontally, in this assembled state shown, and meet in the middle between the two legs  40 . The two struts are hinged or pivoted together. A locking means  76  in the form of a channel is located at this mid-point to prevent the two struts  72 ,  74  from moving relative to one another. The locking means  76  may be moved to allow the struts  72 ,  74  to pivot relative to one another during disassembly. 
         [0058]      FIG. 2  shows the apparatus  10  with the upper leg members  46  retracted fully inside the lower leg members  44 . A handle  80  is shown attached to the upper gripping member  50  for use as a carrying handle when the apparatus is disassembled and packed as shown in  FIG. 3 . All other referenced elements are the same as described with reference to  FIG. 1 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 3  demonstrates how the apparatus  10  may be packed into a relatively small volume for ease of storage and or portability. 
         [0060]    The upper gripping member  50  is attached to the lower leg members  44 , which have the upper leg members  46  substantially fully retracted inside. The lower leg members  44  are, in turn, attached to the rear feet members  34 , which have the forward members  36  fully retracted inside them. The legs  40  have been brought together and the feet  30  have been rotated relative to the legs (by means of pivoting means  90 ) such that the longitudinal axes of the feet  30 , legs  40  and first portion  52  of the upper gripping member  50  are substantially parallel and adjacent with one another. The legs  40  may be releasably fixed in this position, relative to the feet  30 , by use of a locking means, such as one or more pins  99  passing through appropriate holes in the pivoting means  90 . The upper gripping member  50  is attached to the lower leg members  44  by means of the slots  91 ,  92  provided on the surface of the lower leg members  44 . The two third portions  58  each fit inside the slots  91 ,  92  and are retained therein by means of a releasable pin  94 .