Abstract:
A three sectioned configurable exercise box. The sections may be configured to turn the exercise into standup or bench supported resistance band workout station. The system occupies a fraction of the size and price of any comparable home gym and free weight system.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/240,921, filed Oct. 13, 2015, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates exercise equipment, and more particularly to apparatus that are configurable to perform various exercises. 
         [0003]    Currently, people who wish to exercise have a range of options to maintain their personal fitness. Gym memberships can be expensive and many people prefer working out in the privacy of their own home. That too may also be expensive as complete home gym sets are quite costly. In addition, currently available home gym systems and free weights are too large and take up a great deal of floor space that typically must be committed to use as a fitness area. Moreover, the equipment is not very attractive, presenting an eyesore. 
         [0004]    As can be seen, there is a need for a complete fitness system that is a fraction of the size and price of any comparable home gym and free weight system. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In one aspect of the present invention, an configurable exercise apparatus, includes: a first section formed as an elongate plate having a substantially flat first side surface and a plurality of attachment points extending from a second side surface; a second section having opposed upstanding sidewalls, an top opening at an upper end of the sidewalls, a bottom opening at a lower end of the sidewalls, wherein the first section is configured to be removably received in the top opening as a closure of the top opening when the apparatus is configured in a stowed condition; and a third section having a base with an upstanding frame wall extending interiorly from a periphery of the base, the frame wall dimensioned to support a bench back rest and a bench seat, and to be received within the bottom opening of the second section when the apparatus is configured in a stowed condition. In some embodiments, the apparatus may include a pair of ground transport wheels operatively attached to at least one end of the apparatus. 
         [0006]    In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of attachment points extend a first end portion and a second end portion of the second surface. In other embodiments, the second surface further comprises a slot separating the first end portion and the second end portion from an intermediate portion. The second section may also have a notch formed in a bottom edge surface of the sidewalls, the notch is dimensioned to receive the intermediate portion of the first section; and the slot is dimensioned to receive the bottom edge surface of the sidewalls within the notch. 
         [0007]    In certain embodiments, the third section has a peripheral lip extending from a lateral edge surface of the base, wherein a bottom surface of peripheral lip is supported by the top edge surface of the sidewalls when the third section is configured on top of the second section. In other embodiments, the third section further comprises a peripheral lip extending from a lateral edge surface of the base, wherein the a top surface of peripheral lip supports the bottom edge surface of the sidewalls when the second section is configured on top of the third section. 
         [0008]    In other aspects of the invention, the bench back rest is pivotally attached to the bench seat. The second section may also be provisioned with a storage tray supported within an interior cavity of the second section. The configurable exercise apparatus may also include an exercise accessory including a band, a handle, and a snap link. The exercise accessory is secured to at least one of the plurality of attachment points. 
         [0009]    These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the invention shown in compact configuration. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a section view of the invention taken along line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the invention shown in an alternate configuration. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a section detail view of the invention taken along line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a section view of the invention taken along line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 5 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the invention shown in an alternate configuration. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a section view of the invention taken along line  8 - 8  in  FIG. 7 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the invention shown in an alternate configuration. 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is a section view of the invention taken along line  10 - 10  in  FIG. 9 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  is a representative embodiment of a band. 
           [0021]      FIG. 12  is a representative embodiment of a snap link. 
           [0022]      FIG. 13  is a representative embodiment of a handle. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]    The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
         [0024]    Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a complete home fitness system in a box that is configurable for a wide range of exercise regimens and may be conveniently stowed back into a compact and attractive container when not in use. 
         [0025]    As seen in reference to  FIGS. 1-3 , an embodiment of a configurable boxed home fitness system is illustrated. The configurable boxed fitness system includes three primary components: an first section  10  that serves as a cover for the system when a stowed configuration, a second section  12 , that serves as a storage container for accessories and components of the system when configured in a stowed condition, and a bottom section  14  that forms a base for the system when configured in a stowed condition. As seen in reference to  FIG. 3 , all the components of the system are dimensioned so that they may be neatly connected and configured as a visually attractive box in a stowed condition. While the components of the sections  10 ,  12 ,  14  may be formed from any suitable materials, such as plastics, composites, metal, or wood, the present invention presents a visually attractive and durable system when fabricated of wood with a suitable stain and finish applied. 
         [0026]    The first section  10  is formed as an elongate plate that has a substantially flat first surface that forms a top cover for the apparatus when stowed. As seen in reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the second surface is configured as an attachment station with a plurality of spaced apart attachment points  18 , such as ring bolts or screws, or loops, extending from the second surface at a first end portion and a second end portion of the first section  10 . The attachment points  18  provide for the attachment of one or more exercise accessories, such as a band  40 , a handle  42 , and a snap link  44 . The first section has a peripheral ledge surface  11  for engagement with the second section  12 . 
         [0027]    The band  40 , may be formed of an elastic or resilient material to perform variable resistance exercises. The bands  40  may have various grades of elasticity to provide a selectable resistance. Similarly, the bands may be combined with one or more additional bands  40  for increasing the resistance of an exercise. The band  40  may also be formed of an inelastic material in order to perform isometric exercises. As will be appreciated, the bands  40  may be formed in various lengths that are adapted to a particular exercise or a height of the user. The handle  42  may include any of a conventional exercise handle, including a single handed grip, a two handed straight bar. The handles are attachable to the bands  40  and the attachment points  18  via one or more snap links  44 . 
         [0028]    An intermediate portion of the second surface is substantially flat so that the first section  10  may be configured with the second section  12  and the bottom section  14  for various exercise regimen setups. A pair of transverse slots  16  may be defined across the second surface to facilitate configuration of the first section  10  with the middle  12  and bottom  14  sections. 
         [0029]    The second section  12  is a substantially box like configuration having a plurality of sidewalls and an opening at the top end and a bottom end of the sidewalls. One or more storage trays  30  having one or more bins may be carried within the second section  12 . The storage tray  30  may be utilized to hold the exercise accessories for the system. A notch  32  may be formed along a bottom edge of opposed lateral sidewalls of the second section  12  at a first end portion of the second section  14 . The notch  32  is dimensioned to receive the intermediate portion of the first section  10  therein and the slots  16  of the upper section are dimensioned to receive the bottom edge of the opposed lateral sidewalls within the notch  32  for certain configurations of the exercise system. 
         [0030]    The third section  14  is configured as an adjustable exercise bench assembly  14 . The bench assembly  14  includes an articulating back rest portion  20  moveably connected to a bottom or seat  22  of the bench via a hinge  24 . A base portion  21  is substantially rectangular in shape and has a lip  23  extending around a peripheral edge of the base. A top surface of the lip  23  is dimensioned to support the lower sidewall edges of the second section  12  in a stowed condition and to be supported by the upper sidewall edges of the second section  12  in certain exercise configurations of the system. 
         [0031]    A pair of ground transport wheels  36  may be attached to an end of the second section  12  or the third section  14  to facilitate repositioning of the system. The system may be configured with a handle  38  attached to at least one end of the system to facilitate repositioning and lifting of the system. The system may be readily transported from one location to another. 
         [0032]    One or more frame walls  25  may be formed to upwardly extend from a top surface of the base portion  21  and is dimensioned to provide a subjacent support structure for the bench back rest portion  20  and the bench seat portion. 
         [0033]    A support arm  26  may be pivotally attached to the back rest portion  20  via pivot  28 , which may be a hinge or a pin. One or more adjustment stops  34  may also be provided on the top surface of the base portion  21  to engage with a free end of the support arm  26  to provide an adjustment for an angle of incline for the back rest portion  20 . 
         [0034]    A first exercise configuration of the system is illustrated in reference to  FIGS. 4-6 . The first section  10  is positioned on a floor surface and is disposed substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal length of the second section  12 . The first section  10  is received within the notch  32  of the second section  12 . The edge surface of the notch  32  is received within the slots  16 . The third section  14  is supported by the sidewalls of the second section  12 . With this configuration the second section  12  and the first section  10  are secured to permit exercises to be perform by a user utilizing the bench. One or more of the exercise accessories may be attached to the attachment points to configure the apparatus for performing exercises. In this configuration the bench back rest  20  is positioned in a reclined position. 
         [0035]    A second exercise configuration is shown in reference to  FIGS. 7-8 . In this configuration, the back rest  20  is positioned in a first elevated condition, with the free end of the support arm  26  positioned in abutment with an interior surface of the frame walls  25 . This position is acceptable for performing an inclined press, an inclined curl, an inclined butter fly and other exercises. 
         [0036]    A third exercise configuration is shown in reference to  FIGS. 9-10 . In this configuration, the backrest  20  is positioned in a substantially upright condition. The free end of the support arm  26  is positioned in abutment with the stop  34 . In this configuration, the longitudinal orientation of the bench has been reversed with respect to the positioning of the first section  10  and the second section  12  such that the attachment points  18  are positioned proximal to the seat  22  rather than the back rest. 
         [0037]    As will be appreciated, the system of the present invention may be arranged in a myriad of positions to configure the apparatus for a virtually unlimited number of exercises. While the embodiments shown illustrate the top  10 , middle  12  and bottom  14  portions in combination. They may also be configured individually or in separate pairs. 
         [0038]    For example, the top portion  10  may be placed by itself on the floor with the attachment points  18  oriented upwardly. The user may then stand on the intermediate portion of the first section  10  and perform standing exercises, with one or more exercise accessories secured to the attachment points  18 . In like manner, the third section  14  may be utilized individually by placing it on the floor, permitting the user to utilize the bench as, for example a sit up board. The second section  12  and the third section  14  could also be configured in an inverted position, so that the bottom surface of the base  21  is received in an inverted second section  12 , to form a stepping platform. 
         [0039]    It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.