# Patent

## Title
Climbing exercise apparatus

## Abstract

A climbing exercise apparatus having homolateral and contralateral modes of operation may include a frame supporting generally vertically oriented movable slide members in spaced apart relationship to one another. The slide members may include foot supports secured at the lower distal ends thereof and handlebars in adjustable telescopic relationship with the slide members. Handgrips may be rotatably mounted proximate the upper distal ends of the handlebars. The handgrips may be rotatably about a canted axis which is canted relative to the longitudinal axis of the handlebars and selectively locked for homolateral and contralateral operation of the climbing exercise apparatus.

## Background
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application claims priority to and the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/920,559, filed May 3, 2019, and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/246,665, filed Jan. 14, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/361,368, filed Nov. 25, 2016, which claims benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/386,276, filed Nov. 24, 2015, and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/687,478, filed Nov. 18, 2019, which claims benefit of the filing dates of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/917,028, filed Nov. 16, 2018 and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/919,562, filed Mar. 18, 2019, which applications are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.


BACKGROUND
The present invention relates to fitness equipment, more particularly to climbing exercise apparatus where the exercise paths are substantially vertical and parallel to each other.
Climbing exercise machines permit a user to simulate climbing activities where two coordinated body movements are generally possible. A first motion may be referred to as homolateral movement where an asymmetrical movement of the upper limb and the lower limb on the same side occurs, and a second motion referred to as contralateral movement where diagonal movement of an upper limb with the opposite lower limb occurs. The first motion of homolateral movement or straight climbing is more closely correlated with martial arts where martial arts typically employ homolateral movements, whereas the second motion of asymmetrical or cross climbing action is more closely correlated with oppositional exercises such as swimming and walking. In homolateral motion the body halves do not cooperate but move separately, and in contralateral motion both sides of the brain function at the same time in a coordinated manner.
SUMMARY
A climbing exercise apparatus having homolateral and contralateral modes of operation may include a frame supporting generally vertically oriented movable slide members in spaced apart relationship to one another. The slide members may include foot supports secured at the lower distal ends thereof and handlebars in adjustable telescopic relationship with the slide members. Handgrips may be rotatably mounted proximate the upper distal ends of the handlebars. The handgrips may be rotatable about a canted axis which is canted relative to the longitudinal axis of the handlebars. The handgrips may be selectively locked for homolateral and contralateral operation of the climbing exercise apparatus.



BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
So that the manner in which the above recited features, advantages and objects of the present invention are attained can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings.
It is noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a climbing exercise apparatus.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the climbing exercise apparatus shown in FIG. 1.
FIGS. 3A-3C are partial perspective views depicting the transition from the contralateral exercise mode to the homolateral exercise mode of the climbing exercise apparatus shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a top view of the climbing exercise apparatus shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is an exploded partial perspective view of a handlebar of the climbing exercise apparatus shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 6 is an exploded partial perspective view of an alternate configuration of a handlebar of the climbing exercise apparatus shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a climbing exercise apparatus.
FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of the climbing exercise apparatus shown in FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 is a front view of the climbing exercise apparatus shown in FIG. 7.
FIG. 10 is a side view of the climbing exercise apparatus shown in FIG. 7.
FIGS. 11A-11C are perspective views depicting the transition from the homolateral exercise mode to the contralateral exercise mode of the climbing exercise apparatus shown in FIG. 7.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a climbing exercise apparatus.
FIG. 13 is a side view of the climbing exercise apparatus shown in FIG. 12.
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a climbing exercise apparatus.
FIG. 15A is an enlarged perspective view of the handgrips of the climbing exercise apparatus shown in FIG. 14.
FIG. 15B is an exploded view of the handgrips shown in FIG. 15A.
FIG. 16 is an enlarged perspective view of an alternate configuration of the handgrips of the climbing exercise apparatus shown in FIG. 14.
FIG. 17 is a partially broken away enlarged perspective view of the handgrips shown in FIG. 16.
FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of the handgrips in FIG. 16.



DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring first to FIG. 1, a climbing exercise apparatus is generally identified by the reference numeral 100. The climbing exercise apparatus 100 may include a frame 110 comprising spaced apart base members 112, 113 interconnected by a cross connecting member 114. A generally vertically extending left guide member 118 and a right guide member 120 may be fixedly secured to the base member 112. The left and right guide members 118, 120 may be spaced apart and connected proximate the upper distal ends thereof by a transverse bracket 122 bridging the space between the left and right guide members 118, 120 and maintaining the parallel relationship between one another. A generally angularly extending brace member 116 may have a lower end secured to the base member 113 and an upper end connected to the bracket 122. The left and right guide members 118, 120 may extend generally vertically upward from the base member 112 angled generally toward the base member 113 at an acute angle α of about fifteen (15°) degrees.
The left and right guide members 118, 120 may movably support left and right tubular slide members 124, 126, respectively. The guide members 118, 120 and slide members 124, 126 are depicted in the drawings as having a substantially rectangular cross section. It will be appreciated, however, that the guide members 118, 120 and slide members 124, 126 may include other cross-sectional shapes, such as, but not by way of limitation, circular, cylindrical, triangular and the like cross-sectional shapes. The slide members 124, 126 may be linearly reciprocated relative to the guide members 118, 120. Rollers 128 and the like may provide a linear bearing surface in a manner known in the art. Foot platforms 130 may be secured proximate the lower distal ends of the reciprocating members 124, 126, generally in a non-adjustable manner. A cover or shroud may be secured to the frame 110 to cover or enclose the central portion of the climbing exercise apparatus 100.
The rollers 128 may be disposed between front and rear plates of the bracket 122. The rollers 128 may be rotatable about shafts 132 fixedly securing the bracket 122 to the left and rights guide members 118, 120. The bracket 122 may include a center block 134 secured between the front and rear plates thereof. The center block 134, in cooperation with the rollers 128, may provide lateral constraint to the reciprocal movement of the slide members 124, 126.
Foot platforms 130 may be fixedly secured proximate the lower ends of the slide members 124, 126 in a generally non-adjustable manner. In some instances, the foot platforms 130 may be configured for pivotal movement. The foot platforms 130 may be secured to generally C-shaped foot brackets 138 fixedly secured proximate the lower ends of the slide members 124, 126. Rollers 140 may be rotatably secured to the foot brackets 138 providing lateral constraint at the lower ends of the slide members 124, 126.
The slide members 124, 124 are generally vertically oriented and may be linearly reciprocated by a user a distance which corresponds to the maximum desired stepping height of the user. A pulley 142 may be rotatably secured to the bracket 122. A flexible member or cable 144 may be utilized to provide reciprocal or oppositional dependent action of the slide members 124, 126. The cable 144 may be routed over the pulley 142 and the distal ends thereof secured to respective slide members 124, 126.
Left and right handlebars 146, 148 may be adjustably secured to the slide members 124, 126. The handlebars 146, 148 may include elongated handlebar leg members 150 in telescopic relationship with a respective slide member 124, 126. The handlebars 146, 148 may be selectively adjusted relative to the slide members 124, 126. The handlebars 146, 148 may releasably engage with detent adjustment holes 152 formed in the slide members 124, 126 to set the handlebars 146, 148 to the expected arm reach of a user of the climbing exercise apparatus 100.
The left and right handlebars 146, 148 may include left and right handgrips 154, 156 secured to the upper distal ends of the handlebar leg members 150. The left and rights handgrips 154, 156 may be rotatably secured to mounting stubs 158 projecting from the handlebar leg members 150. The mounting stubs 158 may extend outwardly from the handlebar leg members 150 defining an axis A perpendicular the longitudinal axis of the handlebar leg members 150. The mounting stubs 158 may include a stub boss 160 at the distal ends thereof having an outwardly facing generally flat or planar face 162 which is slanted rearward from the top edge to the bottom edge of the planar face 162. The stub boss 160 may include a threaded borehole 164 defining an axis B perpendicular to the face 162 of the stub boss 160. The axes A and B may define a canted angle θ between five to thirty degrees (5° to 30°). The handgrips 154, 156 may be coupled to the handlebar leg members 150 by threading the threaded shaft 166 of a knob 168 through a hole 155 extending through the handgrips 154, 156 proximate the distal ends thereof into the borehole 164 of the stub boss 160 so that the handgrips 154, 156 are canted relative to the longitudinal axis of the handlebars leg members 150.
Referring now to FIG. 4, it will be recognized that the axes B of both handgrips 154, 156 lie in a vertical plane P1 at the transverse center of the climbing exercise apparatus 100, illustrating that the lateral displacement of the handgrips 154, 156 is equal in both the homolateral and contralateral modes of operation of the climbing exercise apparatus 100.
The handgrips 154, 156 may be secured to the handlebar leg members 150 for a user to operate the climbing exercise apparatus 100 in both a homolateral (straight) or a contralateral (cross) exercise mode. Changing the mode of operation of the climbing exercise apparatus 100 from a homolateral mode to a contralateral mode or vice versa may be performed by loosing the knob 168 and rotating the handgrips 154, 156 about the axis B to the opposite lateral side of the climbing exercise apparatus 100. The canted axis B of the handgrips 154, 156 prevents collision of the handgrips 154, 156 upon rotation about the axis B, as depicted in FIGS. 3A-3C which show the transition of the handgrips 154, 156 from the contralateral mode to the homolateral mode of operation of the climbing exercise apparatus 100. The canted angle θ, for example, but not by way of limitation, illustrated in FIG. 1 may be approximately eighteen (18°) degrees.
Referring now to FIG. 5, the planar face 162 of the stub boss 160 and the interface surface of the handgrips 154, 156 may include a crown or circumferentially displaced tips and divots 170, 172, respectively, to minimize the torque required to tighten or loosen the knob 168. The tips and divots 170, 172 may permit angular micro adjustments to enable the user to set the handgrips 154, 156 at angles relative to the axis B other than horizontal, as desired.
An alternate configuration for locking the handgrips 154, 156 to the handlebar leg members 150 is shown in FIG. 6. The face 162 of the stub boss 160 may include a generally vertical groove 174 intersecting the threaded borehole 164. The handgrips 154, 156 may include upstanding tabs 176 on opposite sides of the hole 155 at the distal ends of the handgrips 154, 156. The grooves 174 and tabs 176 may intersect the axes B at right angles. The tabs 176 may be received in respective grooves 174 and the knob 168 tightened to lock the handgrips 154, 156 to the handlebar leg members 150.
Referring now to FIG. 7-FIGS. 11A-11C, a second embodiment of a climbing exercise apparatus is generally identified by the reference numeral 200. As noted by the common use of reference numerals, the climbing exercise apparatus 200 is similar to the climbing exercise apparatus 100 with the exception that the tubular slide members 224, 226 are generally displaced front to back with respect to each other, rather than the side by side arrangement of the climbing exercise apparatus 100. Similar to the climbing exercise apparatus 100, a pulley 142 and cable 144 may cooperatively provide oppositional dependent action of the slide members 224, 226, where the cable 144 is routed over the pulley 142, and the distal ends of the cable 144 are fixedly secured to respective slide members 224, 226. Handlebars 246, 248 may adjustably telescope into or out of respective slide members 224, 226 in a selective manner. Detent adjustment holes 252 and the like arranged on the leg members 250 of the handlebars 246, 248 may be cooperatively engaged by spring biased pins 253 and the like secured to the slide members 224, 226 to position the handgrips 154, 156 to the user's expected arm reach height. Foot platforms 230 may be secured proximate the lower ends of the slide members 224, 226 generally in a non-adjustable manner, however, in some instances pivoting of the foot platforms 230 may be provided to permit orientation change of the user's foot.
The climbing exercise apparatus 200 may include a frame comprising a base 210 and a stanchion 212 extending generally vertically upward from the base 210 angled generally forward at an acute angle β of about fifteen (15°) degrees, shown in FIG. 10. The slide members 224, 256 may be linearly secured to the frame 210 by rollers or unillustrated slides. The slide members 224, 226 may be secured to the frame 210 by guide members comprising two or more generally U-shaped brackets 270 and 272 which are vertically spaced from one another and are fixedly secured to the stanchion 212. For purposes of illustration, but not by way of limitation, the slide members 224, 226 may be linearly constrained by rollers 260, 262 and 264. Rollers 260 and 264 may be disposed between the sidewalls of the brackets 270, 272 and rotatably secured thereto. Front to back rolling constraint may be provided by center roller 264 disposed between slide members 224, 226 (where roller 264 is tangent with opposed moving surfaces) and by the rollers 260 which may be in rolling contact with the sides of the slide members 224, 226 opposite the rollers 264. Additional side to side rolling constraint may be provided by the lateral rollers 262 which are rotatably secured to roller brackets 274. The roller brackets 274 may be fixedly secured to the brackets 270, 272. The lateral rollers 262 may be oriented perpendicular to the rollers 260 and may be in rolling contact with opposite sides of the slide members 224, 226. It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that the rollers 262 may be omitted in the event the rollers 260 include circumferential flanges.
The pulley 142 may be disposed between the slide members 224, 226 below the bracket 270. The pulley 142 may be rotatably supported by support arms 225, 227 which are secured to and extend downward from opposite sides of the bracket 270. The frame 210 may include fixed handles 119 that a user may grasp to steady himself or while reciprocating only his legs in an up and down motion.
As with the climbing exercise apparatus 100, the canted orientation of the handgrips 154, 156 prevents collision of the handgrips 154, 156 upon rotation about the axis B. FIGS. 11A-11C depict the transition of the handgrips 154, 156 from the homolateral mode to the contralateral mode of operation of the climbing exercise apparatus 200. The canted angle θ, for example, but not by way of limitation, illustrated in FIG. 7 may be approximately eighteen (18°) degrees.
Referring now to FIGS. 12-13, a third embodiment of a climbing exercise apparatus is generally identified by the reference numeral 300. As noted by the common use of reference numerals, the climbing exercise apparatus 300 is similar to the climbing exercise apparatus 200 with the exception that the handgrips 354 and 356 are not canted. Similar to the climbing exercise apparatus 200, the tubular slide members 224, 226 are generally displaced front to back with respect to each other. A pulley 142 and cable 144 may cooperatively provide oppositional dependent action of the slide members 224, 226, where the cable 144 is routed over the pulley 142, and the distal ends of the cable 144 are fixedly secured to respective slide members 224, 226. Handlebars 346, 348 may adjustably telescope into or out of respective slide members 224, 226 in a selective manner. Detent adjustment holes 352 and the like arranged on the leg members 350 of the handlebars 346, 348 may be cooperatively engaged by spring biased pins 253 and the like secured to the slide members 224, 226 to position the handgrips 354, 356 to the user's expected arm reach height. Foot platforms 230 may be secured proximate the lower ends of the slide members 224, 226 generally in a non-adjustable manner, however, in some instances pivoting of the foot platforms 230 may be provided to permit orientation change of the user's foot.
The handgrips 354, 356 may be releasably secured to the leg members 350 of the handlebars 346, 348 for homolateral or contralateral exercise modes. For purposes of illustration, but not by way of limitation, bolts or pins 358 and the like may be utilized to secure the handgrips 354, 356 to the leg members 350. Alternatively, pins may project from the distal ends of the handgrips 346, 348 (not shown in the drawings) that may be inserted into the hole 352 to secure the handgrips 354, 356 to the leg members 350. Other means and methods may be employed to secure the handgrips 354, 356 to the leg members 350, such as frictions clamps. Geometric shapes (male or female) such as a square, rectangle or triangle may be formed on the leg members 350 and a corresponding square, rectangle or triangle formed on the handgrips 354, 356 for mating engagement therewith.
Referring now to FIG. 14, a fourth embodiment of a climbing exercise apparatus is generally identified by the reference numeral 400. As noted by the common use of reference numerals, the climbing exercise apparatus 400 is similar to the climbing exercise apparatus 100 with the exception of the handgrip assemblies 410. The handgrip assemblies 410 may be rotatably secured to mounting stubs 158 projecting from the handlebar leg members 150. As described above with reference to the climbing exercise apparatus 100, the mounting stubs 158 may extend outwardly from the handlebar leg members 150 perpendicular the longitudinal axis of the handlebar leg members 150. The mounting stubs 158 may include a stub boss 160 at the distal ends thereof having an outwardly facing generally flat or planar face 162 which is slanted rearward from the top edge to the bottom edge of the planar face 162. The stub boss 160 may include a threaded borehole 164 defining an axis B perpendicular to the face 162 of the stub boss 160. A hub 414 may be fixedly secured to the planar face 162 of the stud boss 160. The hub 414 may include two notches 415 at a circumferential displacement of one hundred eighty degrees (180°).
The handgrip assemblies 410 may include a handgrip support member 416 rotatably secured to the stud boss 160. The handgrip support member 416 may include a support arm 418 fixedly secured to a generally L-shaped bracket 420. The bracket 420 may enclose a cavity 421.
The handgrip assemblies 410 may further include a handgrip 422 fixedly secured to a generally L-shaped index shaft 424. An index pin 426 may project from the distal end of the index shaft 424. Upon assembly with the handgrip support member 416, the handgrip 422 may slide over the support arm 418 and the index shaft 424 extend through an opening 430 into the cavity 421 of the bracket 420. The index pin 426 may project through a slot 428 formed in the bracket 420 into engagement with one of the notches 415 of the hub 414 to position the handgrip assemblies 410 for either homolateral or contralateral climbing exercise. The handgrip assemblies 410 may be rotatably secured to the stud boss 160 by a hub shaft 431 which extends through a hole 433 in the bracket 420 and is threadedly secured to the stud boss 160.
A biasing member 432, for example but without limitation, a compression spring, may provide a biasing force to maintain the index pin 426 in contact with the notches 415. The biasing member 432 may be journaled about a bolt 434 threadedly connected to the support arm 418. The biasing member 432 may be disposed between the bolt head 436 and an end of the handgrip 422. Securing the bolt 434 to the support arm 418, compresses the biasing member 432 against the end of the handgrip 422 and thereby providing a biasing force moving the index pin 426 into engagement with one of the notches 415 of the hub 414. Switching climbing modes may be accomplished by moving the handgrip 422 laterally outward to disengage the index pin 426 from one of the notches 415 and rotating the handgrip assemblies 410 about the hub shaft 431 to align the index pin 426 with the other of the notches 415. The biasing force applied by the biasing member 432 moves the index pin laterally into the notch 415.
Referring now to FIGS. 16-18, an alternate configuration of the handgrip assemblies is generally identified by the reference numeral 500. As noted by the common use of reference numerals, handgrip assemblies 500 are similar to the handgrip assemblies 410. The handgrip assemblies 500 may include a thumb ring 510 which may be actuated laterally outward while the handgrip 422 is generally stationary and not directly connected to the index shaft 424. The thumb ring 510 may be fixedly secured to an end of the index shaft 424 (shown in FIGS. 17 and 18) which may be enclosed within the L-shaped bracket 420. The handgrip 422 may be fixedly secured to the bracket 420. A biasing member 512, for example but without limitation, a compression spring, may be interposed between an end face of the handgrip 422 and the index shaft 424 to bias the index pin 426 into engagement with one of the notches 415 of the hub 414. The biasing member 512 may be journaled about a pin 514 having an end secured to the index shaft 424 and the opposite end extending into a borehole 516 formed in the handgrip 422, shown in FIG. 17. The index pin 426 may be disengaged from the notches 415 by moving the thumb ring 510 laterally outward against the biasing force of the biasing member 512 and rotating the handgrip assemblies 500 about the hub shaft 431 to align the index pin 426 with the other of the notches 415.
While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims which follow.

## Claims

1. A climbing exercise apparatus, comprising:
a) a frame;
b) a pair of guide members fixedly secured to said frame;
c) a tubular member movably supported by each said pair of guide members;
d) a handlebar coupled to each said tubular member;
e) a handgrip assembly movably secured to said handlebar, said handgrip assembly movable about a canted axis, wherein said handgrip assembly includes a handgrip support arm fixedly secured to a generally L-shaped bracket, said bracket enclosing a cavity; and
f) a foot support secured proximate to a lower distal end of each said tubular member.

2. The climbing exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein said handlebar includes a leg member slidably received by said tubular member, and further including a mounting stub projecting from said leg member defining a first axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said leg member.

3. The climbing exercise apparatus of claim 2 further including a stub boss fixedly secured to said mounting stub, wherein said stub boss includes an outwardly facing planar surface inclined rearward from a top edge to a bottom edge of said planar surface.

4. The climbing exercise apparatus of claim 3 wherein said canted axis is canted at an angle between 5° to 30° relative to said first axis.

5. The climbing exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein said handgrip assembly includes a handgrip fixedly secured to an index shaft, said index shaft including an index pin projecting from a distal end of said index shaft.

6. The climbing exercise apparatus of claim 3 including a hub fixedly secured to said outwardly facing planar surface, said hub including at least two notches circumferentially displaced one hundred eighty degrees (180°) from one another.

7. The climbing exercise apparatus of claim 5 including a biasing member journaled about said handgrip support arm applying a biasing force to said index shaft.

8. The climbing exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pair of guide members comprise a left guide member and a right guide member fixedly secured to said frame, said left guide member and said right guide member extending generally vertically in spaced apart, parallel alignment with one another, and further including a transverse bracket connected proximate to an upper distal end of said left guide member and said right guide member, and further including a plurality of rollers rotatably supported by said transverse bracket providing lateral constraint to each said tubular member.

9. The climbing exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pair of guide members comprise a first bracket and a second bracket fixedly secured to said frame vertically spaced apart from one another, said first bracket and said second bracket slidably supporting each said tubular member in spaced apart front to back relationship to one another.

10. The climbing exercise apparatus of claim 9 including a plurality of rollers linearly constraining each said tubular member, said plurality of rollers including a center roller disposed between said tubular members rotatably secured to a respective said first bracket and said second bracket.

11. The climbing exercise apparatus of claim 9 including lateral rollers rotatably secured to a respective said first bracket and said second bracket providing side to side rolling constraint for each said tubular member.

12. The climbing exercise apparatus of claim 3 wherein said planar surface of said mounting stub includes circumferentially displaced tips and divots cooperatively engaging an interface surface of a respective said handgrip assembly.

13. The climbing exercise apparatus of claim 3 wherein said planar surface of said mounting stub includes a generally vertical groove configured for receipt of upstanding tabs projecting from an interface surface of a respective said handgrip assembly.

14. A climbing exercise apparatus, comprising:
a) a frame;
b) a pair of vertically oriented members movably supported by said frame, a mounting stub projecting from an upper distal end of each said pair of vertically oriented members, wherein said mounting stub includes an outwardly facing planar surface inclined rearward from a top edge to a bottom edge of said planar surface;
c) a handgrip movably secured to each said mounting stub, each said handgrip movable about a canted axis; and
d) a foot support secured proximate to a lower distal end of each said pair of vertically oriented members.