Abstract:
The present invention includes a detachable device for connection to a motorized vehicle. The detachable device may retain pieces of exercise equipment in a safe, effective, and secure manner in order to allow an individual to conduct desired physical activities in a wide variety of environments and/or locations.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present invention claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/746,312 as filed May 3, 2006. 
     
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
       [0003]    Not applicable. 
       INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
       [0004]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND ON THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0006]    The present invention relates generally to exercise equipment and devices. More particularly, the various exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to device that can be temporarily or permanently attached to a motor vehicle such that an individual may conduct a variety of strength training, cardiovascular related exercises, and physical activities in a wide variety of settings. 
         [0007]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0008]    The popularity of personal exercise equipment has grown in the past decade at a feverish pace. As individuals&#39; lives have become busier and living spaces become more confining, there is less space to store and utilize exercise equipment. This is even more evident when the desired exercise equipment may require additional stabilization and/or means for securing the equipment in a safe and effective manner. 
         [0009]    Numerous types of personal exercise equipment have been put forth, ranging from elaborate universal workout apparatuses to simple step boxes and dumbbells. Several of these personal exercise devices are portable, and others are stationary. The vast majority, however, are designed for use in a home. 
         [0010]    However, as living space becomes a greater commodity for a vast number of individuals, the ability to train using particular pieces of exercise equipment becomes more difficult to perform without paying the high gym membership fees. 
         [0011]    For example, for training for martial arts, an individual may wish to practice boxing skills which is aided using punching bags, focus pads, makiwara boards, speed bags, double-end speed bags, pull-up bars, and the like. One of the primary characteristics of each of these pieces of equipment is the need for adequate, effective, and safe mounting. Such mounting requires possible structural modifications to a building; something likely not permitted for individuals renting property. Further, mounting such equipment diminishes the amount of living, storage, and/or work space in an individual&#39;s home. Such space is becoming a greater premium for many individuals, especially those individuals in highly populated metropolitan regions. 
         [0012]    In addition, many individuals prefer the flexibility of being able to physically train in both indoor and outdoor settings. Some individuals enjoy being able to continue an exercise regime while also taking time out of daily life to camp or take short travels away from home. Under most circumstances, using any of the above exemplary equipment limits an individual to having to physically train in an indoor setting. 
         [0013]    Thus, what is desired is a detachable device to substantially assist an individual in being able to physically train using exercise equipment that must be safely and effectively mounted and transported. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0014]    The various exemplary embodiments of the present invention include a detachable device for retaining exercise equipment for use by an individual. The detachable device is comprised of a base having a proximal end and distal end, a vertical bar having a top end and bottom end, an arm connected to the top end of the vertical bar, a top base member connected to the arm, and a first retaining means connected to the top base member. The proximal end of the base is able to be temporarily retained by a tow hitch of a motorized vehicle. The bottom end of the vertical bar is connected to the base between the proximal end and the distal end of the base, and the vertical bar is substantially perpendicular to the base. The arm is directed away from the motorized vehicle at an angle of about go degrees to about  179  degrees relative to the vertical bar. 
         [0015]    The various exemplary embodiments of the present invention also include a method of exercising. The method is comprised of connecting a detachable device for retaining exercise equipment to a tow hitch of a motorized vehicle. The detachable device is comprised of a base having a proximal end and distal end, a vertical bar having a top end and bottom end, an arm connected to the top end of the vertical bar, a top base member connected to the arm, and a first retaining means connected to the top base member. The proximal end of the base is able to be temporarily retained by a tow hitch of a motorized vehicle. The bottom end of the vertical bar is connected to the base between the proximal end and the distal end of the base, and the vertical bar is substantially perpendicular to the base. The arm is directed away from the motorized vehicle at an angle of about go degrees to about  179  degrees relative to the vertical bar. The motorized vehicle is then positioned in a desired location, and one or more pieces of exercise equipment are connected to the detachable device. Then, an individual conducts one or more physical activities associated with the one or more pieces of exercise equipment connected to the detachable device; and then the one or more pieces of exercise equipment are removed from the detachable device. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    The various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, which will become more apparent as the description proceeds, are described in the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is another illustration of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCED NUMERALS 
       [0019]    In reference to the drawings, similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout all the drawings. The following is a list of the reference characters and associated element: 
         [0020]      10  detachable device 
         [0021]      20  base 
         [0022]      22  proximal end 
         [0023]      23  distal end 
         [0024]      24  second retaining means 
         [0025]      30  vertical bar 
         [0026]      32  bottom end 
         [0027]      34  top end 
         [0028]      36  accessory holding means 
         [0029]      38  detachable stem 
         [0030]      40  arm 
         [0031]      50  top base member 
         [0032]      52  first retaining means 
         [0033]      60  exercise equipment 
         [0034]      90  motorized vehicle 
         [0035]      91  bumper 
         [0036]      95  tow hitch 
         [0037]      96  pin hole 
         [0038]      97  retaining pin 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0039]    The drawings show, for purposes of further illustration and understanding, that the various exemplary embodiments of the present invention include a detachable device for retaining exercise equipment, the device indicated generally by the reference number  10 . 
         [0040]    In the exemplary embodiments illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the detachable device is connected to a motorized vehicle  90 . Such motor vehicle may be, for example, a car, truck, all terrain vehicle (ATV), etc. It is preferred that the detachable device be connected to the motorized vehicle by way of a tow hitch  95 , e.g., a “Reese” hitch, typically located underneath a bumper  91  of the motorized vehicle  90 . Typically, in the United States, the tow hitch  95  is rectangular or substantially square in shape and serves to receive and retain a base  20  of the detachable device. 
         [0041]    The base  20  is substantially parallel to the ground and in a preferred embodiment is a bar directed away from the motorized vehicle. The base has a proximal end  22  which is substantially retained by the tow hitch  95 . A pin hole  96  may accept, for example, a retaining pin  97  by which the device is held in position once inserted into the tow hitch. 
         [0042]    A distal end  23  of the base may be attached to a second retaining means  24 . The second retaining means may be used to attach to a portion of a piece of exercise equipment retained by the detachable device  10 . The second retaining means may be, for example, a carabineer, a hook, chain, and the like. 
         [0043]    In a preferred embodiment, the base is about 20 inches or less in length. 
         [0044]    In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the second retaining means may be connected to a detachable stem  38  that substantially extends outward from the base away from the tow hitch. The detachable stem may be connected to the base via a hole and retaining pin system or the like. 
         [0045]    The detachable stem is advantageous for individuals who may wish to conduct particular physical activities with the exercise equipment connected to the mobile device, but want more space to move without contacting his foot, shin, and/or knee with the actual mobile device. That is, if an individual is kicking at a makiwara board, the individual may prefer not having to kick around or step around the base or detachable stem. Thus, the individual may remove the detachable stem and have more space to conduct the desired physical activity. 
         [0046]    In a preferred embodiment, the detachable stem is about  16  inches or less. 
         [0047]    Between the distal and proximal end of the base a vertical bar  30  is attached. The vertical bar is preferably substantially perpendicular to the base  20 . A bottom end  32  of the vertical bar may be connected to the base by wielding, adhesive, one or more screws, one or more pins, one or more spring-loaded pins, hole in peg design, or a combination thereof. 
         [0048]    In an exemplary embodiment, the vertical bar may be telescoping, i.e., the length of the vertical bar may be adjusted to various heights. 
         [0049]    In various exemplary embodiments, the vertical bar may have one or more accessory holding means  36 . The one or more accessory holding means may allow for placement and temporary fastening of exercise equipment  60 , such as, for example, makiwara boards and/or focus pads/targets. The one or more accessory holding means allows for more stable placement of exercise equipment and accessories that an individual would like positioned in various heights in a more stationary position that would not sway or substantially move upon contact by the individual. 
         [0050]    The one or more accessory holding means may be spaced at predetermined regular intervals between the bottom end and a top end  34  of the vertical bar. In an exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the one or more accessory holding means may be a series of holes through with a pin or spring-loaded pin system may be placed in order to retain an associated piece of exercise equipment in a substantially stationary position. 
         [0051]    The top end  34  of the vertical bar is attached to an arm  40 ; the arm preferably extending in a direction away from the motorized vehicle. The arm may be at an angle of about 90 degrees relative to the vertical bar to about 179 degrees relative to the vertical bar. In a preferred embodiment, the arm is at an angle of about 120 degrees to about 150 degrees relative to the vertical bar. The arm and the vertical bar may be connected by wielding, adhesive, one or more screws, one or more pins, one or more spring-loaded pins, hole in peg design, or a combination thereof. 
         [0052]    In a preferred embodiment, the arm is about 25 inches or less in length. 
         [0053]    It is preferred that a top base member  50  be connected to the arm at the end of the arm furthest from the vertical base. The arm and the base may be connected by wielding, adhesive, screws, pins, hole in peg design, or a combination thereof. The top base member is preferably substantially parallel to the base. The top base member is connected to a first retaining means  52 , which may be, for example, a carabineer, a hook, chain, and the like. 
         [0054]    In a preferred embodiment, the base measures about 5 inches or less by about 2 inches or less. 
         [0055]    In a preferred embodiment, the base, the vertical bar, and the arm are comprised of a substantially hollow square steel tube. 
         [0056]    Exercise equipment  60  may be retained by one or both of the first retaining means and the second retaining means. For example, a punching bag may be held by one or both of the first retaining means and the second retaining means. 
         [0057]    An individual may then connect the detachable device to the tow hitch of, for example, car or truck, and drive to a local park or other desired location. Upon parking the car or truck, the individual may attached one or more various pieces of exercise equipment to one or both of the first retaining means and second retaining means. The height of the vertical bar may be adjusted to the individual&#39;s needs. Examples of pieces of exercise equipment may include punching bags, focus pads, makiwara boards, speed bags, double-end speed bags, pull-up bars, dip bars, pulley resistance system for weight training, and the like. When the individual has completed the desired physical activity associated with the detachable device, the exercise equipment and detachable device may be removed from the tow hitch and stored away. 
         [0058]    While this invention has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the invention as set forth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.