Exercise bar assembly

A horizontal bar exercising device for use in a room having a floor and a ceiling, the device comprising first and second support posts designed to extend vertically between the floor and ceiling and a horizontal bar having first and second ends interconnected with the first and second posts respectively by sleeve members, the sleeve being slidable along the first and second posts by means of friction reducing means interposed therebetween to minimize binding between the sleeves and posts. The device preferably includes extension arms located at the upper distal end, each of the extension arms having a pressure rod to indicate a preset pressure to be applied to the ceiling.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to an exercising device and more 
particularly, it relates to an exercising device having a horizontal bar 
extending between first and second vertical posts. 
The use of home exercise equipment is becoming wide spread as the public 
has increasing concern about their physical well being. Many different 
types of home exercise devices are known including treadmills, stationary 
bicycles, various resistance training devices such as weight lifting 
equipment, etc. Among the more basic and inexpensive types of equipment is 
that which is known as the horizontal bar and which can be used to perform 
a variety of exercises. 
Different types of devices which provide a horizontal bar are well known in 
the art. The devices range from horizontal bars provided as a part of 
fairly complex resistance training apparatus those which function as a 
stand alone unit. These stand alone units generally comprise vertically 
extending posts having a horizontal bar extending therebetween and secured 
to the posts by various means. 
An example of such a device is that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,642,278 which 
teaches a horizontal bar exercising device having vertical posts with a 
horizontal bar extending therebetween. A similar device is illustrated in 
U.S. Pat. No. 1,085,486. 
While the prior art devices are functional for various uses, there are 
certain disadvantages. Thus, it would be desirable to provide a device 
wherein the device would be functional for installation within a wide 
range of ceiling heights and wherein it can be used in a typical 
residential room wherein gypsum boards are provided as a ceiling finish. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is an object of the present invention to provide a horizontal bar 
exercise device which is functional over a wide range of ceiling heights. 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a horizontal bar 
exercise device wherein the adjustment of the horizontal bar from one 
height to another height is easily accomplished. 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a horizontal bar 
exercise device which may be used in most residential environments 
including those having gypsum board ceilings. 
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a 
horizontal bar exercising device for use in a room having a floor and a 
ceiling, the device comprising first and second support posts designed to 
extend vertically between the floor and ceiling, a horizontal bar having 
first and second ends, first and second sleeve members, the first sleeve 
member interconnecting the first post and the first end of the horizontal 
bar, the second sleeve member interconnecting the second post and the 
second end of the horizontal bar, the sleeves being slidable vertically 
along the first and second posts, each of the sleeve members having 
friction reducing means interposed between the sleeve and the posts to 
thereby permit movement of the horizontal bar and sleeves to minimize 
binding therebetween. 
The support posts are preferably arranged to come in two different portions 
with the portions being interconnected together by means of a dowel like 
arrangement. The posts are preferably cut at a vertical angle so that self 
alignment is achieved. 
In preferred embodiments, each of the posts has an extension arm 
telescopically arranged with respect to the post and which is vertically 
moveable. A locking means prevents the extension arm from withdrawing back 
into the support post once it has been extended. 
Pressure rods are preferably spring biased such that a predetermined amount 
of force may be applied to retain the posts in the vertical position. 
A locking arrangement for locking the sleeve and the horizontal bar in a 
desired position are described. 
The present invention in an aspect provides in a horizontal bar exercising, 
device for use in a room having a floor and a ceiling, the device 
comprising 
first and second support posts, 
a horizontal bar having first and second ends, and 
connecting means connecting said horizontal bar at each end thereof to a 
respective support post, 
said first and second support posts being designed to extend vertically 
between said floor and ceiling, 
said support posts each having a ceiling end and a floor end, 
the improvement wherein said device comprises 
a pair of extension arms, 
a pair extension arm displacement means and 
a pair of releasable locking means 
each support post having a tubular configuration such that the support post 
has an interior communicating with an opening at said ceiling end, 
each extension arm being telescopically mounted with respect to the 
interior of a respective support post, 
each releasable locking means being associated with a respective extension 
arm for locking the extension arm in an extended position, 
each extension arm displacement means being associated with a respective 
extension arm for urging the respective extension arm out of the interior 
of the respective post through the opening at the ceiling end thereof to 
an extended position. 
In accordance with the present invention there is provided in a horizontal 
bar exercising, device for use in a room having a floor and a ceiling, the 
device comprising 
first and second support posts, 
a horizontal bar having first and second ends, and 
connecting means connecting said horizontal bar at each end thereof to a 
respective support post, 
said first and second support posts being designed to extend vertically 
between said floor and ceiling, 
said support posts each having a ceiling end and a floor end, 
the improvement wherein said device comprises 
a pair of extension arms, and 
a pair of releasable locking means 
each releasable locking means being associated with a respective extension 
arm for locking the extension arm in an extended position, 
each extension arm being associated with a respective cable means and a 
respective cable mounting means, 
each support post having a tubular configuration such that the support post 
has an interior communicating with an opening at said ceiling end, 
each extension arm being telescopically mounted with respect to the 
interior of a respective support post, 
the cable means and the cable mounting means associated with each extension 
arm being configured and disposed such that a portion of the cable means 
is exterior of a respective post and the cable means extends into the 
interior of the respective post and engages the respective extension arm 
such that by pulling on the portion of the cable means exterior of the 
respective post such pulling induces the cable means to urge the 
respective extension arm out of the interior of the respective post 
through the opening at the ceiling end thereof to an extended position. 
In accordance with the present invention each releasable locking means 
associated with a respective extension arm may comprise a pivotally 
mounted lever member and spring bias means, said lever member and spring 
bias means being configured and mounted on a respective support post such 
that said lever element is displaceable between an arm locking 
configuration wherein a contact element of the lever member is biassed in 
locking contact with the extension arm and an arm release configuration 
wherein the contact element is spaced form said extension arm. 
In accordance with the present invention pulley means may be located at the 
ceiling end of each of said support posts, the cable means associated with 
each extension arm extending from a lower end of a respective extension 
arm about a respective pulley means to a location exterior of a respective 
post. 
In accordance with the present invention each extension arm may comprise a 
sleeve element and a pressure rod element telescopically mounted within 
said sleeve element, said pressure rod element being biassed outwardly at 
a distal end of said sleeve element. Each of pressure rod element may be 
biassed outwardly by a spring means located within a respective sleeve 
element. 
In accordance with the present invention the device may comprise a pressure 
beam designed to engage the ceiling and extending between distal ends of 
said extension arms. 
In accordance with the present invention the connecting means may comprise 
first and second sleeve members, 
a pair of releasable locking components, and 
first and second friction reducing means, 
said first sleeve member interconnecting said first post and said first end 
of said horizontal bar, 
said second sleeve member interconnecting said second post and said second 
end of said horizontal bar, 
said sleeve members being respectively slidable along said first and second 
posts, 
said first and second friction reducing means each being interposed between 
a respective sleeve member and a respective post, and 
each releasable locking component being associated with a respective end of 
the horizontal bar for locking the respective end of the horizontal bar to 
a respective support post in predetermined position. 
In accordance with the present invention the first and second friction 
reducing means may each comprise glide members on an interior surface of a 
respective sleeve member. 
In accordance with the present invention the first and second friction 
reducing means may each comprise four spaced apart glide elements, each 
glide element comprising an upper glide member and a lower glide member, 
each upper glide member being vertically aligned with and vertically 
spaced apart from a respective lower glide member so as to define a 
respective glide element. 
In accordance with the present invention each of the support posts may have 
a plurality of vertically aligned lock apertures, said vertically aligned 
lock apertures being disposed so as to be between a pair of guide 
elements. 
In accordance with the present invention each of the support posts may have 
a plurality of vertically aligned lock apertures, and each of the 
releasable locking components may comprise 
said vertically aligned lock apertures of a respective support post, 
a further sleeve member slidable along said horizontal bar, 
a pivotally mounted locking member disposed at a respective end of the 
horizontal bar, said locking member having a locking pin extended 
therefrom configured to fit within the lock apertures of the respective 
support post, said further sleeve member being connected by connecting 
means to the locking member, 
biassing means, 
the locking member, the further sleeve member, the biassing means and a 
respective sleeve member interconnecting the respective support post and 
the horizontal bar being configured and mounted such that the locking 
member is displaceable by the further sleeve member between a locking 
configuration wherein the locking pin thereof is biassed in locking 
engagement within a lock aperture and an extracted configuration wherein 
the locking pin is an extracted position relative to said apertures such 
that respective sleeve member interconnecting the respective support post 
and the horizontal bar is permitted to vertically slide along the 
respective support post. 
In accordance with the present invention each of the support posts may 
comprise an upper portion and a lower portion, said portions being secured 
together by means of a dowel extending from one of said portions to within 
another of said portions, one of said portions having a end cut at an 
angle with respect to the horizontal and the other of said portions having 
the dowel and having a ledge element of complimentary shape and angle to 
that of the cut end so as to engage the cut end so as to thereby permit 
self-aligning of the locking apertures of each of said portions. 
In accordance with a further aspect the present invention provides in a 
horizontal bar exercising device for use in a room having a floor and a 
ceiling, the device comprising 
first and second support posts, 
a horizontal bar having first and second ends, and 
connecting means connecting said horizontal bar at each end thereof to a 
respective support post, and 
said first and second support posts being designed to extend vertically 
between said floor and ceiling, 
said support posts each having a ceiling end and a floor end, 
said connecting means comprising first and second sleeve members, said 
first sleeve member interconnecting said first post and said first end of 
said horizontal bar, said second sleeve member interconnecting said second 
post and said second end of said horizontal bar, said sleeve members being 
respectively slidable along said first and second posts, 
the improvement wherein said connecting means comprises a pair of 
releasable locking components, 
each releasable locking component being associated with a respective end of 
the horizontal bar for locking the respective end of the horizontal bar to 
a respective support post in predetermined position, and wherein each of 
said support posts has a plurality of vertically aligned lock apertures, 
wherein each of said releasable locking components comprises 
the vertically aligned lock apertures of a respective support post, 
a further sleeve member slidable along said horizontal bar, 
a pivotally mounted locking member disposed at a respective end of the 
horizontal bar, said locking member having a locking pin extended 
therefrom configured to fit within the lock apertures of the respective 
support post, said further sleeve member being connected by connecting 
means to said locking member, and 
biassing means, 
the locking member, the further sleeve member, the biassing means and a 
respective sleeve member interconnecting the respective support post and 
the horizontal bar being configured and mounted such that the locking 
member is displaceable by the further sleeve member between a locking 
configuration wherein the locking pin thereof is biassed in locking 
engagement within a lock aperture and an extracted configuration wherein 
the locking pin is an extracted position relative to said apertures such 
that respective sleeve member interconnecting the respective support post 
and the horizontal bar is permitted to vertically slide along the 
respective support post. 
In accordance with the further aspect of the present invention each of the 
support posts may comprise an upper portion and a lower portion as 
described herein. 
In accordance with the further aspect of the present invention the 
connecting means may comprise first and second friction reducing means as 
described herein. 
In accordance with the further aspect of the present invention the first 
and second friction reducing means may each comprises four spaced apart 
glide elements as described herein. 
Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to 
the accompanying drawings illustrating an embodiment thereof, in which:

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by reference characters 
thereto, the horizontal bar exercise device according to the present 
invention includes first and second vertical support posts 10 and 10' and 
having a horizontal exercise bar 14 extending therebetween. Posts 10 and 
10' are designed to extend between a floor 11 and a ceiling 12. When 
erected, posts 10 and 10', in the illustrated embodiment, are adapted to 
contact a pressure beam 16 to distribute the force exerted by vertical 
posts 10 and 10' over a wide area. Cushioning 18 may be provided between 
pressure beam 16 and ceiling 12; pressure beam 16 extends between distal 
ends of the extension arms described below. 
Vertical support posts 10 and 10' are similar and thus, only one will be 
described in detail herein. As may be seen in FIG. 2, in order to occupy 
the minimum space in a knock down condition, vertical post 10 is comprised 
of an upper section 20 and a lower section 22. A dowel 24 is secured 
inwardly of lower section 22 and is adapted to receive upper section 20. 
It is to be noted that the upper peripheral edge of lower section 22 and 
the lower peripheral edge of upper section 20 are angled, preferably at an 
angle of approximately 30.degree., such that proper positioning an 
alignment of upper section 20 on lower section 22 is assured. 
At its upper portion, vertical post 10 is supplied with a collar 28. 
Mounted interiorly of vertical support post 10 is a telescopic extension 
arm 30 and which is vertically moveable within vertical support post 10. A 
pulley 32 is mounted on axle 34 so as to be rotatable. A rope 36 engages 
the extension arm 30 at a point 37 located at the lower portion of 
telescopic extension arm 30 (e.g. engage a lower pulley). Rope 36 is 
entrained about pulley 32 and terminates in a pull chain 38 which extends 
exteriorly of vertical support post 10. 
The means for locking telescopic extension arm 30 in the position comprises 
a locking member having a general V-shaped configuration. The locking 
member is mounted about a pivot point 42 with the member being moveable as 
indicated by arrow 44. Arm 46 is biased outwardly by a suitable spring 
such that arm 40 bears against telescopic extension arm 30 in an angular 
relationship to thereby permit upward movement of telescopic extension arm 
30 but prevent downward movement thereof so long as spring pressure is 
exerted on arm 46. 
At the upper end of telescopic extension arm 30 there is provided pressure 
(e.g. force indicating) rod 50 which is mounted interiorly of telescopic 
extension arm 30 and is biased outwardly by means of a coil spring 52; 
i.e. the extension arm 30 comprises a sleeve element in which is mounted 
rod 50 and spring 52, the rod 50 extending outwardly at a distal end of 
the sleeve element. 
Horizontal bar 14 has a center indicating marking 90 and is mounted on 
vertical support members 10, 10' by means of sleeves 56 and 56' 
respectively. Again, sleeves 56 and 56' are similar and thus only one will 
be described in detail herein. 
A problem encountered in vertical movement of most horizontal bars is that 
the length of bar is substantial compared to the vertical length of 
sleeves and therefore a pinching or jamming action occurs. In order to 
overcome this, in the preferred embodiment, four upper glide members 58 
are mounted within sleeve 56 to ensure smooth movement of sleeve 56 along 
vertical support bar 10. It will be noted that the glides 56 are spaced 
90.degree. from each other. Bottom glides 60 are provided at the bottom 
portion of sleeve 56 and are also spaced 90.degree. from each other in 
substantially the same vertical planes as top glides 58. 
In order to provide a locking action, vertical support member 10 has a 
plurality of apertures 64 formed therein. Apertures 64 are spaced apart a 
vertical distance suitable to provide the degree of adjustment required 
for horizontal bar 14. It will be noted that apertures 64 are spaced 
45.degree. from glides 58 and 60 to thereby prevent damage thereto during 
vertical movement adjustment of the horizontal bar 14. An aperture 66 is 
also provided within sleeve 56. 
A locking member 68 is mounted so as to be pivotable about a pivot point 70 
and has a locking pin 72 sized to fit within apertures 56 and 64. A 
tubular handle 74 extends about an end of horizontal bar 14 and has a lock 
engaging member 76 such that movement, in the right hand direction as seen 
in FIG. 4B, will cause locking pin 72 to enter apertures 66 and 64 to 
maintain the horizontal bar in position. A reverse movement to the left 
will allow for compression of a biassing component such as an helicoidal 
spring 70 to cause disengagement of locking pin 72 from within apertures 
64 and 66 and thereby permit adjustment of horizontal bar 14. 
For engagement with the floor 11, and as may be seen in FIG. 1, each 
vertical support post 10 and 10' is provided with shoes 80, 80' 
respectively. Shoes 80 and 80' are substantially identical. As may be seen 
in FIG. 1, shoe 80 has a recess adapted to receive vertical support post 
10. Vertical support post 10 has, in turn, a U-shaped recess generally 
designated by reference numeral 82 to fit over a pin 84. Pin 84 ensures 
that there is no rotational movement of vertical support post 10 which 
would cause misalignment of the device. 
In operation, the device may be assembled on the ground or floor and then 
brought into a vertical position. Final vertical adjustment can be made by 
the use of chain 38 and rope 36 for vertical movement of telescopic 
extension arm 30. In this respect, chain 38 may be pulled until pressure 
rod 50 is pushed within telescopic extension arm 30 by the ceiling 12 to a 
desired degree. Preferably, pressure rod 50 may have indicia thereon to 
indicate a desired amount of pressure which is to be exerted on ceiling 
12. At the same time, ring 9 functions as a plumb line to ensure the 
vertically of vertical support post 10. 
It will be understood that the above described embodiments are for purposes 
of illustration only and that changes and modifications may be made 
thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.