EXERCISE APPARATUS

Abstract: Exercise apparatus comprises a plane of two parts (1, 2) including a joint arrangement (3) for accomplishing an angle between the parts of the plane (1, 2). The plane of two parts (1, 2) comprises at the lower part thereof a stationary joint arrangement (4), which is arranged to be fixed substantially above the horizontal base (L). The exercise apparatus further comprises organs (5, 7) for locking the plane of two parts into erected vertical position. Further, the exercise apparatus comprises organs (6) for supporting the plane of two parts (1, 2) to form an inclined plane between the stationary joint arrangement (4) of the plane of two parts (1, 2) and the base (L) and for supporting the plane to form an angular plane. The angular plane comprises the first plane part (1) between the stationary joint arrangement (4) and the joint arrangement (3) of the plane of two parts (1, 2) in substantially horizontal position and the second plane part (2) between the joint arrangement (3) of the plane (1, 2) and the base (L) in substantially vertical position.

Description: Exercise apparatus This invention relates to an exercise apparatus more closely defined in the preamble of the claim 1. The conventional exercise apparatuses of the kind to which the invention relates comprise several drawbacks. Most of the apparatuses are not suitable for more than one type of body exercise. If the conventional appartus is constructed for several body exercises the construction of the apparatus is very complicated and the requirement of space for the apparatus is significant. US-patent 4 358 109 describes an adjustable exercise bench, which represents the state of art in the field of the exercise apparatuses. The construction described in the patent is very complicated, although the possibilities to vary the positions of the bench are limited, as far as the training of large groups of muscles is concerned. The use of the bench is complicated due to the great number of different adjustments to change the positions of the body supporting members. The purpose of this invention is to provide a novel exercise apparatus, which is easy to adjust for the training purposes of different groups of muscles. The apparatus has been constructed . so, that requirement of space is not significant when the apparatus is arranged to its erected position. To achieve the purpose of the invention the exercise apparatus has the characteristics defined in the characteristic part of the claim 1. The claimed construction of the exercise apparatus can be positioned so that all the great groups of muscular tissue, e.g. the muscles in the abdomen region, spinal region, arm region and leg region can be trained either in combination or separately. The annexed subclaims further describe some advantageous embodiments of the invention. These subclaims describe the advantageous features, by means of which it is possible to combine the constructional parts of the exercise apparatus, so that most of them have a functional purpose in accomplishing a certain position of the exercise apparatus even if these parts are not used in the body exercise itself. On the whole the invention describes a very simplified construction resulting from a deep analyzis of on the other hand the needs of the body exercises and on the other hand the function of the parts of the exercise apparatus, so that the assembly is integrated. This fact makes it possible to use this exercise apparatus in accordance with the invention also in private households because the need of space of the exercise apparatus is minimized. Thus, one purpose of the invention is to provide private households with an exercise apparatus which is constructionally adapted to suite their demands. This kind of need is nowadays becoming more actual with increasing popularity of various body exercise courses. The description hereinafter refers to one advantageous embodiment of the invention with simultaneous references to the annexed drawings, in which Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of the exercise apparartus in the first erected position, Fig. 2 shows also a perspective view of the exercise apparatus in the second position, in which the apparatus has the general form of an inclined plane and Fig. 3 shows also a perspective view of the exercise apparatus in the third position, where it has the general form of an angular plane. As the Figures illustrate, the exercise apparatus can be adapted for different body exercises, because the exercise apparatus can be quickly and easily- assembled to different positions. In the erected vertical position the exercise apparatus forms a ladder comprising a set of horizontal rounds for exercise and in this position the exercise apparatus further comprises a single horizontal bar. From the erected position as shown in Fig. 1 the plane of two parts 1, 2 can be put down onto the firm horizontal base L as shown in Fig. 2 whereby an inclined plane is formed between the firm horizontal base L and the stationary joint arrangement 4. Further the exercise apparatus can be positioned to form an angular plane as shown in Fig. 3, wherein the parts 1, 2 of the plane have been positioned in relation to each other by inflecting the plane at the joint arrangement 3 between the said parts so that the parts 1, 2 form a substantially right angle. Hereby the first plane part 1 between the stationary joint arrangement 4 and the joint arrangement 3 connecting the planes 1, 2 is substantially in a horizontal position and the second plane part 2 between the joint arrangement 3 connecting the planes 1, 2 and the horizontal base L is substantially in a vertical position. Although the exercise apparatus can be constructed within the scope of the basic idea of the invention also in other ways it is advantageous to fix the exercise apparatus to a vertical base such as wall S especially in order to satisfy the requirements of domestic use and other small spaces. Hereby the stationary joint arrangement 4 at the bottom of the plane of two parts 1, 2 has been fixed to the wall S. Further the organs for locking the plane of two parts to the wall S in order to accomplish the erected, vertical position of the exercise apparatus can be fixed to the wall S. In Fig 1 these fixing organs has been indicated by the reference numeral 5. The construction of these organs can vary considerably and the fixing organs for this purpose are commercially available so that these constructions are not described more closely in this connection. Further the plane of two parts 1, 2 comprises counterpart organs 7, which have been attached to or formed on the plane of two parts 1, 2 in order to lock the exercise apparatus to its erected, vertical position by means of said organs 5. The stationary joint arrangement 4 can be fixed to the vertical base S by means of a supporting part 8, which is placed beneath the plane of two parts 1, 2 and which suitably reaches the horizontal base L. The parts 1, 2 of the plane of two parts comprise two parallel beams 9a, 9b; 10a, 10b, in the longitudinal direction of the exercise apparatus. These beams have been attached to each other by means of plate parts 11, 12 so that they are substantially separated in the transversal direction of the exercise apparatus. These plate parts are placed in relation to the beams so that they face the vertical base S in .the erected position of the exercise apparatus and in the positions where the plane of two parts 1, ? has been put down, these plate parts are on the beams 9a, 9b; 10a, 10b providing an even plane on which the body exercises can be performed. The beams 9a, 9b and 10a, 10b have been connected in the both plane parts to each other by means of one or several her: zontal rounds 13. The rounds 13 have been placed in relation to the beam constructions so that a suitable distance between them and the plate parts 11, " 12 are accomplished for the functional purposes of said rounds. The supporting part comprises advantageously beams 17a, 17b between which one or several rounds 13 have been attached in a similar manner as the rounds in the plane of two parts 1, 2. Thus the exercise apparatus comprises a set of ladder rounds along its total height in the erected, vertical position. The organ 6 for supporting the plane of two parts 1, 2 alternatively to form the inclined plane of Fig. 2 or alternatively the angular plane of Fig. 3 comprises advantageously a projecting angular beam arrangement 14, 15 fixed to the second plane part 2 of the plane of two parts. The projecting angular beam arrangement comprises a, first beam part 14, which projects in an inclined position from the second plane part 2 from the upper edge thereof. The angle between the first beam part 14 and the second plane part 2 corresponds substantially to the angle between the inclined plane and the horizontal base L in Fig. 2. The second beam part 15 is connected to the projecting free end of the first beam part 14. Said second beam part is fixed to the joint arrangement 3 between the parts of the plane of two parts 1, 2. The angle between the longitudinal direction of the said second beam part 15 and the plane part 2 is substantially a right angle. The projecting first beam part 14 lies against the horizontal base L when the exercise apparatus is positioned to form the inclined plane whereby the joint arrangement 3 is locked by means of the angular beam arrangement 14, 15, especially by means of the second beam part 15, which connects the joint arrangement 3 to the horizontal base L. For forming the angular plane shown in Fig. 3 from the plane of two parts, the second beam part and/or an organ 16 in connection with the second beam part, especially the horizontal bar is, brought to lie against the first plane part 1. The horizontal bar 16 for exercise purposes is advantageously fixed to the exercise apparatus in such a manner, that the angular beam arrangement 14, 15 comprises two separate parts, which are fixed to each other at the horizontal bar and which are further fixed to the second plane part 2, especially to the beams thereof. The joint arrangements 3, 4 of the exercise apparatus have been formed so, that the horizontal distance between two surfaces facing to each other in the first plane part 1 e.g. the inner surfaces of the longitudinal beams 9a, 9b comprise substantially the horizontal distance between two surfaces facing away each other in the second plane part 2 and the supporting part 8 e.g. the outer surfaces of the beams 10a, 10b; 17a, 17b. Hereby the beams in all parts have been placed at the ends of the first plane part in an adjacent position in relation to each other. This enables the positioning of articulated rods 18 in the bores in the beams at the adjoining area. The joints can be provided also with other organs which promote the positioning of the exercise apparatus in the different positions. These organs can be e.g. barrels, plaLc≤ between the surfaces of the beams facing each other as well as other constructional parts of plastic or other suitable material which facilitate the above mentioned positioning. The constructional materials which advantageously can be applied in the exercise apparatus are wooden materials as far as the vertical beams, rounds and the angular beam arrangement are concerned. Accordingly, the plane -parts can be made of wood based plate materials such as plywood, coated wooden particle board etc. The plane parts can further comprise a coating made of suitable material such as leather or plastic textile with suitable amount of pad between the wood based base plate and the coating material for the purposes of comfortability. The first plane part 1 can be provided with a belt arrangement 19 affixed to said first plane part and serving as a footrest for a person during the exercises on the plane of two parts. As previously discussed, the exercise apparatus in accordance with the invention is very suitable for domestic use, because the requirement of space . is very small when the exercise apparatus is in its erected vertical position, which simultaneously is the storage position of the exercise apparatus. On the other hand the multiple purposes to wh_..- * :h the exersice apparatus can be applied, means that the exercise apparatus can be used also in schools and enterprises etc. It should be also noted that -f-he support part 8 of the exercise apparatus can be placed on a movable base whereby the ex rcise apparatus can be moved supported by the sai J base. On the other hand, especially in the domestic use, the supporting part 8 which reaches the horizonta. 1 Lό.≥. L is not necessary because there exists in the knowledge of a person skilled to the art, several ways to fix the stationary joint arrangement 4 to the wall so that the vertical distance between the horizontal base and the stationary joint arrangement corresponds substantially the length of the second plane part 2.

Claims: Claims : 1. Exercise apparatus , c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that it comprises a plane of two parts (1, 2) including a joint arrangement (3) for accomplishing an angle between the parts of the plane (1, 2), said plane of two parts (1, 2) comprising at the lower part thereof a stationary joint arrangement (4), which is arranged to be fixed substantially above the horizontal base (L) and that the exercise apparatus further comprises organs (5, 6, 7) for locking the plane of two parts into erected vertical position (Fig. 1), for supporting the plane of two parts (1, 2) to form an inclined plane (Fig. 2) between the stationary joint arrangement (4) of the plane of two parts (1, 2) and the base (L) and for supporting the plane to form an angular plane (Fig. 3) comprising the first plane part (1) between the stationary joint arrangement (4) and the joint arrangement (3) of the plane of two parts (1, 2) in substantially horizontal position and the second plane part (2) between the joint arrangement (3) jf tne plane (1, 2) and the base (L) in substantially vertical position. 2. Exercise apparatus in accordance with claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the exercise apparatus is arranged to be fixed onto a vertical base such as a wall (S), that the stationary joint arrangement (4) and the organs for locking the plane of two parts to vertical position have been arranged to be fixed to this vertical base (S) and that the plane of two parts (1, 2) comprises the counterpart organs (7) for locking the plane of two parts in vertical position together with the said organs (5) fixed to the vertical base (S). 3. Exercise apparatus in accordance with claims 1 and 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the stationary joint arrangement is arranged to be fixed to the vertical base (S) by means of support part (8) preferably reaching the horizontal base (L) . 4. Exercise apparatus in accordance with the claim 1, c ha r a c t e r i z e d in that both parts of the plane of two parts (1, 2) comprise two parallel, longitudinal beams (9a, 9b; 10a, 10b) which have been attached to each other y means of plate parts (11, 12) so that in each pair of beams the beams are separated from each other in the transversal direction of the exercise apparatus, the said plate parts (11, 12) being so positioned that in the positions where the plane of two art is put down (Fig. 2 and 3) said plate parts lie on said beams (9a, ' 9b; 10a, 10b) and that s id beams have been connected by means of one or horizontal rounds (13) or the like. 5. Exercise apparatus in accordance with claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the organ for supporting the plane of two parts (1, 2) on the other hand to form the inclined plane (Fig. 2) and on the other hand the angular plane (Fig. 3), comprises an angular beam arrangement (14, 15) fixed to the second plane part (2), the first beam part (14, 15) of the angular beam arrangement being arranged to project in an inclined position from the second plane part (2) and the second beam part (15) of- the angular beam arrangement (15) being arranged to be in substantially right angle relative to the second plane part (2) whereby the inclined first beam part (14) is arranged to lie against the base when the plane is positioned to form the inclined plane and whereby the second beam part (15) and/or the organ attached to the angular beam arrangement is arranged to lie aga'inst the second plane part when the plane of two parts is positioned to form the angular plane. 6. Exercise apparatus in accordance with claims 4 and 5, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the angular beam arrangement (14, 15) is formed of two parts and that the parts of said angular beam arrangement are fixed to the longitudinal beams (10a, 10b) of the second plane part (2) and that a horizontal bar {1 ~ } is fixed between the parts of the angular beam arrangement. 7. Exercise apparatus in accordance with claim 3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the supporting part (8) comprises longitudinal beams (17a, 17b) between which one or several rounds (13) or the like are attached. 8. Exercise apparatus in accordance with claims 1 and 4, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the joint arrangements (3, 4) are formed so that the horizontal distance between the inner surfaces of the longitudinal beams (9a, 9b) of the first plane part (1) corresponds substantially to the horizontal distance between the outer surfaces of the longitudinal beams (10a, 10b; 17a, 17b) of the second plane part (2) and the supportingint part (8), that the longitudinal beams are placed at the ends of the first plane part (1) in an adjacent position in relation to each other and that rods (18) or the like for providing articulated joints are positioned at these adjacent portions.

Inventors: NIEPPOLA HEIKKI, NIEPPOLA, HEIKKI
Applicants: NIEPPOLA HEIKKI, NIEPPOLA, HEIKKI
Application year: 1986
Main classification: A63B17
IPC codes: A63B9