Modular squat stand system

The modular squat stand system may include a plurality of upright members, each including a plurality of upright member holes. The modular squat stand system may further include a base including a plurality of upright member sockets, each the plurality of upright member sockets including first, second, and third sides. The first and third sides may be connected by the second side. The first and third sides may be parallel relative to each other, and perpendicular relative to said second side. The first and third sides may each include a plurality of upright member socket holes. At least one of the first and third sides may include an integrated gusset. The plurality of upright member sockets may be configured to removably accept the plurality of upright members by receiving fastening members through the plurality of upright member socket holes and the plurality of upright member holes.

BACKGROUND

Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to exercise equipment. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to a modular squat stand system.

2. Description of the Related Art

Squat stands are known in the art. Existing squat stands may be used for a variety of exercises. However, different squat stands may be required for different exercises. For example, squats may require one type of squat stand while pull-ups may require a different type of squat stand. Not only may this be inconvenient from the standpoint of a user, it also may be undesirable from a manufacturing standpoint in that, for example, each particular type of squat stand may have specific parts custom to that particular design.

In light of the foregoing and other shortcomings in the art, it is desirable to provide an improved squat stand system.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the invention, a modular squat stand system may be provided. The modular squat stand system may include a base including at least one upright member socket, the at least one upright member socket including first, second, and third sides. The first and third sides may be connected by the second side. The first and third sides may be parallel relative to each other, and perpendicular relative to the second side. The first and third sides may each include at least one upright member socket hole. The at least one upright member socket may be configured to removably accept an upright member including at least one upright member hole by receiving a fastening member through the at least one upright member socket holes and the at least one upright member hole.

According to another aspect of the invention, a modular squat stand system may be provided. The modular squat stand system may include a plurality of upright members, each including a plurality of upright member holes. The modular squat stand system may further include a base including a plurality of upright member sockets, each the plurality of upright member sockets including first, second, and third sides. The first and third sides may be connected by the second side. The first and third sides may be parallel relative to each other, and perpendicular relative to the second side. The first and third sides may each include a plurality of upright member socket holes. At least one of the first and third sides may include an integrated gusset. The plurality of upright member sockets may be configured to removably accept the plurality of upright members by receiving fastening members through the plurality of upright member socket holes and the plurality of upright member holes.

According to another aspect of the invention, a modular squat stand system may be provided. The modular squat stand system may include two upright members, each of said two upright members including a plurality of upright member holes. The modular squat stand system may further include a base including two upright member sockets, each of said two upright member sockets including first, second, and third sides. The first and third sides may be connected by the second side. The first and third sides may be parallel relative to each other, and perpendicular relative to the second side. The first and third sides each may include a plurality of upright member socket holes. At least one of the first and third sides may include an integrated gusset. The two upright member sockets may be configured to removably accept the two upright members by receiving fastening members through the plurality of upright member socket holes and the plurality of upright member holes.

The foregoing and other aspects will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used in the description of this application, the terms “a”, “an” and “the” may refer to one or more than one of an element (e.g., item or act). Similarly, a particular quantity of an element may be described or shown while the actual quantity of the element may differ. The terms “and” and “or” may be used in the conjunctive or disjunctive sense and will generally be understood to be equivalent to “and/or”. Elements from an embodiment may be combined with elements of another. No element used in the description of this application should be construed as critical or essential to the invention unless explicitly described as such. Further, when an element is described as “connected,” “coupled,” or otherwise linked to another element, it may be directly linked to the other element, or intervening elements may be present.

An embodiment of the present invention may provide a modular squat stand system. Two upright members (or “uprights”) may be easily placed within and removed from two upright member sockets. Accordingly, upright members of different sizes or configurations may be placed within the upright member sockets. For example, a first set of upright members may be easily removed, and either taller or shorter upright members may be placed within the upright member sockets. Thus, upright members chosen from among upright members of different heights may be selected and used by a user for a particular desired exercise. Similarly, four plate holder and foot assemblies may be removably attached to a base of the modular squat stand system for desired yoke exercises. In at least these two aspects, the squat stand system may be modular.

FIG. 1is a schematic representation of a modular squat stand system100according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The modular squat stand system100may include two upright members102and a base104. Although the modular squat stand system100is shown including two upright members102and a base104, the invention is not so limited. For example, in an alternative embodiment, a modular squat stand system may include a single upright member with a single base (e.g., a two-part “H-base” squat stand).

Each of the two upright members102may include two upright member holes202(FIG. 2). In addition, each of the upright members102may include additional holes204for connection to additional elements (additional elements not shown in this embodiment). Each of the two upright members102may be 72 inches tall, 2 inches wide, and 3 inches deep. Although each of the two upright members102are shown including two upright member holes202and being, for example, 72 inches tall, the invention is not so limited. For example, in alternative embodiments, an upright member102may include three upright member holes, or may be, for example, 70 inches, 92 inches or 110 inches tall. Further, upright members chosen from among upright members of different heights may be selected and used by a user for a particular desired exercise. Thus, the squat stand system may be modular.

The base104may include two upright member sockets106,108. It would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the first upright member socket106is a “mirror image” of the second upright member socket108. The two upright member sockets106,108may be welded to the base104. Specifically, a lower edge of the upright member sockets106,108may be welded to a top surface of the base104. Portions of the base104(e.g., four end portions) may each include two base holes that may be used to secure the base to a floor. Although the base104is shown including two upright member sockets106,108that are mirror images of each other and that are welded to the base104, and portions that each may include base holes, the invention is not so limited. For example, in alternative embodiments, the base104may include one upright member socket, or may include a plurality of upright member sockets that are identical and not mirror images to each other, and each upright member socket may be bolted to a base.

Referring now to FIGS.1and3-5, the first upright member socket106may include first, second, and third sides110,112,114. The first110and third114sides may be connected by the second side112. The first110and third114sides may be parallel relative to each other, and perpendicular relative to said second side112. Although the first upright member socket106is shown including first, second, and third sides110,112,114, the invention is not so limited. For example, in an alternative embodiment, an upright member socket may include only first and second sides that may be parallel relative to each other. The first110and third114sides may each include two upright member support holes302. One of the two upright support holes302may be positioned above the other. Although each of the first110and third114sides are shown including two upright member support holes302, one being positioned above the other, the invention is not so limited. For example, in an alternative embodiment, each of first and third sides may include three upright member holes.

The first side110may include a gusset502(FIG. 5). The gusset502may be integral to the first side110as shown in FIGS.1and3-5. The gusset may be triangular. For example, the gusset may be in the shape of a right triangle. A lower edge of the gusset502(which may be an extension of the first side110) may be welded to the top surface of the base104(along with lower edges of the first, second, and third sides). The gusset502may increase the stability of the upright member socket106. Although the gusset502is shown as triangular and part of the first side110, the invention is not so limited. For example, in alternative embodiments, a gusset may be rectangular and may additionally or alternatively be part of a third side, or may be omitted.

Referring now to FIGS.1and6-9, the second upright member socket108may include first, second, and third sides116,118,120. The first116and third120sides may be connected by the second side118. The first116and third120sides may be parallel relative to each other, and perpendicular relative to said second side118. Although the second upright member socket108is shown including first, second, and third sides116,118,120, the invention is not so limited. For example, in an alternative embodiment, an upright member socket may include only first and second sides that may be parallel relative to each other. The first116and third120sides may each include two upright member support holes602. One of the two upright support holes602may be positioned above the other. Although each of the first116and third120sides are shown including two upright member support holes602, one being positioned above the other, the invention is not so limited. For example, in an alternative embodiment, each of first and third sides may include three upright member holes.

The first side116may include a gusset802(FIG. 8). The gusset802may be integral to the first side116as shown in FIGS.1and6-9. The gusset may be triangular. For example, the gusset may be in the shape of a right triangle. A lower edge of the gusset802(which may be an extension of the first side116) may be welded to the top surface of the base104(along with lower edges of the first, second, and third sides). The gusset802may increase the stability of the upright member socket108. Although the gusset802is shown as triangular and part of the first side116, the invention is not so limited. For example, in alternative embodiments, a gusset may be rectangular and may additionally or alternatively be part of a third side, or may be omitted.

The two upright member sockets106,108may be 9 inches tall. The first sides110,116may be 3 inches wide at the top and 4 inches wide at the bottom, inclusive of the integrated gussets502,802. The second sides112,118may be 2 inches wide. The third sides114,120may be 3 inches wide. Although the two upright member sockets106,108are described as being certain dimensions, the invention is not so limited. For example, in an alternative embodiment, the two upright member sockets106,108may be different dimensions.

The two upright member sockets106,108may be configured to removably accept the two upright members102. Referring toFIGS. 1-5, an upright member102may be placed within the upright member socket106. That is, a bottom of the upright member102may be placed within the first, second, and third sides110,112,114of the upright member socket106such that the two upright member support holes302of the first110and third114sides and the upright member holes202of the upright member102align. Fastening members may secure the two upright members102to the two upright member sockets106,108. The fastening members may each include a threaded bolt124and a nut122. Threaded bolts124may be inserted through the two upright member support holes302of the first side110, then the two upright member holes202, and then the two upright member support holes302of the third side114. Nuts122may then be attached to the threaded bolts124. Although the upright member socket106is shown accepting the upright member102using threaded bolts and nuts, the invention is not so limited. For example, in an alternative embodiment, an upright member socket may accept an upright member using a latch assembly.

Referring toFIGS. 1,2, and6-9, an upright member102may be placed within the upright member socket108. That is, a bottom of the upright member102may be placed within the first, second, and third sides116,118,120of the upright member socket108such that the two upright member support holes602of the first116and third120sides and the upright member holes202of the upright member102align. As noted above, fastening members may secure the two upright members102to the two upright member sockets106,108. The fastening members may each include a threaded bolt124and a nut122. Threaded bolts124may be inserted through the two upright member support holes602of the first side116, then the two upright member holes202, and then the two upright member support holes602of the third side120. Nuts122may then be attached to the threaded bolts124. Although the upright member socket108is shown accepting the upright member102using threaded bolts and nuts, the invention is not so limited. For example, in an alternative embodiment, an upright member socket may accept an upright member using a latch assembly.

It would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the two upright members102may be easily placed within and removed from the upright member sockets106,108. Accordingly, the upright members102may be removed and upright members of a different size or configuration may be placed within the upright member sockets106. For example, the 72 inch tall upright members102may be removed and either 92 inch or 110 inch tall uprights may be placed within the upright member sockets. Thus, upright members chosen from among upright members of different heights may be selected and used by a user for a particular desired exercise. In other words, the squat stand system may be modular.

All or part of the modular squat stand system may be formed of metal. For example, the upright member sockets106,108may be formed of ⅜ inch flat steel that may be bent into a desired shape. Although, for example, the upright member sockets are described as being formed of bent flat steel, the invention is not so limited. For example, in an alternative embodiment, all or part of the modular squat stand system may be formed of alternative materials.

FIGS. 10-11are schematic representations of a modular squat stand system1000according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The modular squat stand system1000may include two upright members1002and a base1004. Aspects of the modular squat stand system1000including the two upright members1002, and the base1004may be similar to the modular squat stand system100ofFIGS. 1-9, including the alternative embodiments discussed above. Accordingly, further description of such aspects is omitted in the interest of brevity.

In addition to two upright member sockets1006,1008, the base1004may include four plate and foot assemblies1010. Each of the four plate and foot assemblies1010may include a top surface1012, a first side1014, a bottom skid plate1016, and a second side1018, which together may form a rectangular tube. The top surface1012of each plate and foot assembly1010may include a plate holder1020. Each plate holder1020may be cylindrical in shape. Plates1026may be placed on the plate holders1020. Although the plate and foot assemblies1010are shown including a top surface1012, a first side1014, a bottom skid plate1016, a second side1018, and a cylindrical plate holder1020, the invention is not so limited. For example, in alternative embodiments, elements (e.g., the second side1018) may be omitted or altered (e.g., each plate holder may be of a different shape).

The first and second sides1014,1018may each include two plate and foot assembly holes. Portions of the base1004(e.g., four end portions) may each include two base holes. Although each of the first and second sides are described as including two plate and foot assembly holes, and each of the portions of the base1004are described as including two base holes, the invention is not so limited. For example, in an alternative embodiment, each of a top surface and a bottom skid plate may include more than or less than two plate and foot assembly holes, and each of the portions of the base1004may include corresponding base holes.

The four plate and foot assemblies1010may be removably attached to the base. Each of the four plate and foot assemblies1010may be placed over each of the portions of the base1004such that the two plate and foot assembly holes of each of the first and second sides1014,1018align with the two base holes. Fastening members may secure the four plate and foot assemblies1010to four portions of the base1004. The fastening members may each include a threaded bolt1026and a nut1028. Threaded bolts1026may be inserted through the two plate and foot assembly holes of the first side1014, then the two base holes, and then the two plate and foot assembly holes of the second side1018. Nuts1028may then be attached to the threaded bolts1026. Although the portions of the base are shown accepting the plate and foot assemblies1010using threaded bolts and nuts, the invention is not so limited. For example, in an alternative embodiment, a portion of a base may accept a plate and foot assembly using a latch assembly. As noted above, elements from one embodiment may be combined with elements from another. Thus, elements of the modular squat stand system100may be combined with elements of the modular squat stand system1000. It would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that such a combination would allow for even more selection of elements by a user for a particular desired exercise.

Embodiments of the present invention may provide multiple advantages. For example, because upright members of different sizes and configurations may be easily removed and placed within the upright member sockets, and because plate and foot assemblies may be easily added, the squat stand system may be modular. Thus, one modular squat stand system may be used for a variety of different exercises. Because upright members of different sizes and configurations may be easily removed and placed within the upright member sockets, manufacture of the uprights may be simpler and more cost efficient than in systems that require uprights manufactured for particular bases. As yet another exemplary advantage, the upright member socket according to an embodiment of the present invention may provide for improved strength between an upright and a modular squat stand base.