Abstract:
The present invention provides a new and improved article of exercise assembly. The device is adapted for attachment onto an upper portion of a doorway and is retained thereon without requiring attachment of permanent fixtures to the doorframe. The device includes a plurality of pulley wheels and a cable running therethrough. The cable is attached to a weight on a first end and a handle on a second end. The cable facilitates user exercises by raising or lowering the weights when a user pulls the handle and attached cable downward. The assembly is capable of supporting weighted plates, thereby providing resistance variety. Individuals can use the assembly at a variety of positions to exercise different muscles of the body.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/736,603 filed on Dec. 13, 2012, entitled “Door Sculptor.” The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to an exercise devices. More specifically the invention relates to a pulley system configured for removable attachment on a doorway, and wherein the system is further adapted for supporting weights. 
         [0004]    The exercise of weight lifting has origins that have been traced back to the beginning of recorded history and remains one of the most popular forms of exercises today. The act of lifting weights is a form of strength training that strengthens the muscles of the body and further serves to increase the overall health of a user&#39;s body. The exercise comprises lifting or moving an object having a certain mass against the force of gravity. Repeated acts of lifting facilitate the gradual increase in the strength and mass of the muscles that perform the lifting of the weights. 
         [0005]    Weight lifting can improve the overall health of the user, increase muscle mass, and promote weight loss. These body changes are particularly useful for those playing sports as well as those who typically live a sedentary life. To make exercise more convenient for those who may not have a lot of free time in their day, there are a variety of exercise devices that are available for use in a home setting. These devices include stationary equipment adapted for supporting a person, barbells and dumbbells moved by a user, and simple machine systems attached to a weight that is lifted by a user. These simple machines comprise a pulley, lever, a wheel, or an incline that alter the force of the weights a user must lift. 
         [0006]    Pulley systems are often favored among the plurality of available exercise machine systems because they enable a variety of exercise activities to be performed on a single setup. Furthermore, pulley systems enable quick changes between weight amounts and allow a single person to perform activities, often without requiring the assistance of a spotter. The setbacks of choosing a pulley system exercise machine are that they often are stand-alone systems that occupy a large section of a room and they are not easily movable once situated. 
         [0007]    There are several devices that attempt to provide pulley system exercise machines that do not require much space or setup. These pulley systems are door mounted or ceiling mounted to save interior room space. The drawbacks of these systems are that they are often either permanently attached to a doorway, or are attachable by a clip to a permanently installed frame. Because these devices are not supported on the doorway by their own forces, transporting the pulley systems from one location to another involves complex disassembly and reassembly in another doorway. Reinstallation typically requires securing the system with screws or similar fastening devices. What is needed is a pulley system exercise machine that is supported by its own weight when installed in a doorway. Furthermore, a pulley system is desired that is portable and comprises an attachment for the addition of a plurality of weights. 
         [0008]    The present invention relates to pulley system exercise machine assembly that is removable from a doorway and occupies a minimal amount of space. The exercise assembly includes a hanging pulley with a cable running through the pulley that connects a weight on one end with a handle on its opposite end. The assembly does not require any permanent connections such as screws inserted into the doorway. The installed assembly is supported within a conventional doorway by its own weight. The exercise assembly spans the width of the doorway and enables a user to completely remove the assembly after use, thus allowing the doorway to maintain a clean look when the system is not installed. The assembly has an attachment for addition of a plurality of weights to provide sufficient resistance for those of all fitness levels. In this way, the present invention provides a novel hanging pulley assembly that allows all users to exercise in their home without the need to purchase large equipment or systems that require mechanical supports that could potentially damage the frame of a doorway. 
         [0009]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0010]    Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to pulley assembly exercise devices. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications. These devices generally relate to pulley assemblies that occupy a large area of a room or systems that are permanently attached to a doorway. The following is a list of devices deemed most relevant to the present disclosure, which are herein described for the purposes of highlighting and differentiating the unique aspects of the present invention, and further highlighting the drawbacks existing in the prior art. 
         [0011]    Specifically U.S. Pat. No. 4,109,907 to Zito describes a home weight lifting exercise device having clips for engagement over an upper edge of a door. When the door is closed, the clips are between the door and a doorframe, the clips are held in place by the closure of the door on the doorframe. A pulley system is attached to the clips and provides a connection between a user and weighted sandbags adapted for strength training. While the exercise device of Zito is similar in nature and relevant to the present invention, it differs in that it is supported on the door instead of being self-supporting. 
         [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,428,578 to Kirkpatrick teaches an exercise device that is connected to the bottom edge of a door when the door is closed. The device includes a clamp that attaches to the bottom of the closed door, a stretchable cord, and a handle that connects to the cord. To use the device, the user attaches the clamp to the bottom of a door and closes the door to provide a secure connection therein, then to begin the exercise, the user pulls on the handles against the resistance of the cord. Although the exercise device of Kirkpatrick is similar in nature and relevant to the present invention, it differs in that it is supported by a door bottom rather than being self-supporting like the present invention, and further fails to offer a pulley system connected to weights. 
         [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,050,869 to Frate teaches a portable exercise machine that can be mounted to a side of a door frame. The exercise machine attaches to the side of the doorframe by a pair of fads that tighten to clamp onto the frame. The machine includes a pair of upper and lower pads, a pad adjusting means, a series of pulleys, a cable attached to the pulleys, and a handle. While the portable exercise machine of Frate is similar in nature and relevant to the present invention, it differs in that it doesn&#39;t span the width of the doorway. 
         [0014]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,820,529 to Weintraub discloses a dual operational exercise resistance device that attaches to a supporting structure, such as a freestanding platform base, a wall, or a door. The resistance of the device is easily adjustable and the device comprises a base unit and a pulley attached to the base unit. When a cable on the pulley is pulled, the lever arm pivots. As the lever arm pivots, the biasing means stretches and provides resistance to the user. Although the exercise device of Weintraub is similar in nature and relevant to the present invention, it differs in that it fails to provide its own support, and further differs in that it is not easily portable. 
         [0015]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,621,847 to Lamle teaches a doorway mounted exercise device having upper and lower bars bridging the doorway that support pulleys. The upper bar is collapsible for removal to enable a person to walk through the doorway, and the lower bridging bar is hinged to allow swinging against the door so as to not obstruct the doorway when not in use. Although the doorway mounted exercise device of Lamle is similar in nature and relevant to the present invention, it differs in that it fails to provide an exercise device that is supported without permanent attachments to the door frame, and further differs in that it is not easily removable. 
         [0016]    U.S. Patent Publication No. 2005/0250619 to Daikeler teaches a doorway mounted exercise apparatus that is held in place using the user&#39;s own body weight. The exercise apparatus comprises first and second L-shaped members, connecting members, and gripping members. When installed in a doorway, the device clamps against either side of the door and the user can hold the gripping bars and hang therefrom to perform pull-ups. The user&#39;s own weight serves to hold the exercise apparatus securely in place in the doorway. While the exercise apparatus of Daikeler is similar in nature and relevant to the present invention, it differs in that it fails to offer a pulley system for attachment to weights. 
         [0017]    The present invention relates to a new and improved on-door exercise system. The device spans the width of a doorway, occupies a minimal amount of space when compared to stand-alone systems, and is easily and completely removable from the doorway. The exercise system includes a hanging pulley system including a series of three pulley wheels with a cable running through that connect a weight on one end with a handle on its opposite end. The system comprises an attachment for holding a plurality of weights that provide a range of resistance levels to suit the needs of users with a variety of fitness levels. Additionally, the system does not require any permanent connections such as screws inserted into the doorway, and the system is supported on a conventional doorway under its own weight. Furthermore, the removable exercise system enables a user to exercise at home while maintaining an unobstructed doorway when the system is not in use. 
         [0018]    In view of the drawbacks of the prior art devices, it is shown that the prior art has several known setbacks and that the present invention is substantially divergent in design elements from the prior art and subsequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing in-doorway exercise devices. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of in-door exercise systems now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new in-door hanging pulley exercise assembly wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when the user desires a system that is held in place without requiring fixtures that might damage a doorway. 
         [0020]    The on-door exercise assembly of the present invention is designed for those who wish to exercise in a home setting, but do not have the space necessary for large gym equipment. The assembly comprises a main body portion configured for supporting itself on a doorway and a pulley and weight system adapted to provide resistance to a user. The pulley system is attached to the main body section and facilitates a connection between a user and a selected amount of weights, which the user lifts to perform an exercise routine. 
         [0021]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved pulley exercise assembly that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages. 
         [0022]    It is another object of the present invention to provide an in-door exercise assembly that is completely removable from a doorframe. 
         [0023]    Another object of the present invention is to provide an in-door exercise assembly that comprises a pulley assembly for lifting weights. 
         [0024]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an in-door exercise assembly that does not require permanent door fixtures to support the assembly. 
         [0025]    Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0026]    Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout. 
           [0027]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the in-door exercise assembly of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the in-door exercise assembly installed on a doorframe. 
           [0029]      FIG. 3  illustrates a view of the connection between the pulley system and a set of weights. 
           [0030]      FIG. 4A  illustrates a view of the preferred embodiment of the in-door exercise assembly. 
           [0031]      FIG. 4B  illustrates a view of the preferred embodiment of the in-door exercise assembly in use. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0032]    Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the in-door exercise assembly of the present invention. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for enabling the use of a pulley exercise assembly in a home setting. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect. 
         [0033]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown the preferred embodiment of the in-door exercise assembly of the present invention. The in-door assembly  5  is designed to enable a user to exercise with a pulley system in a home setting and includes a main body frame  10  with an attached pulley system  40 . 
         [0034]    The main body frame  10  comprises a pair of arcuate members  15 ,  16 , and three steel cross members  20 ,  25 , and  26  that connect the left  15  and right  16  arcuate members together. Each of the arcuate members and cross members are secured together by bolts  33 , welding, or by fastened by other suitable means in the art. The arcuate members curve and may form a bend such that they are substantially L-shaped. 
         [0035]    The cross members  25  and  26  support the pulley system  40 , and are secured opposite cross member  20 , which is rectangularly shaped and is configured to lie flat against a door frame. The opposing arcuate members  15  and  16 , are attached at their proximal ends by the rectangularly shaped cross member  20 , and at an opposing end by cross members  25  and  26 . The cross members  25  and  26  are securely attached to the distal ends of the arcuate members  15  and  16 , however the cross members  25  and  26  lie on the lower and upper surfaces of the arcuate members respectively. The securement of the cross members  25  and  26  on differing surfaces of the arcuate members aids in distributing the forces that accompany the use of the exercise device  5 . 
         [0036]    The pulley system comprises a pulley body frame  40  including apertures  35 ,  36 , for the reception of two of the cross members  25  and  26  of the main body frame  10  and further includes a series of three pulley wheels  45 ,  46 , and  47  connected to the pulley body frame  40  by a plurality of apertures  48  and bolts  49  about which the pulleys  45 ,  46 , and  47  rotate. The set of three pulleys  45 ,  46 , and  47  are located at the proximal, middle, and distal ends of the pulley frame  40 . These pulleys facilitate the distribution of the forces applied to the assembly  5  when the assembly  5  is connected to a plurality of weights during exercise movements. 
         [0037]    To assemble the preferred embodiment of the in-door pulley assembly  5  the pulley system  40  is secured to the main body frame  10 . First the rectangular shaped crossing member  20  including a door protecting padding  21 , is secured at its proximal and distal ends to the left  15  and right  16  arcuate members by bolts  33  or by other suitable fastening means of the art. Separately the pulley system  40  is secured to the cross bars  25 ,  26 . The cross bars  25  and  26  are inserted through apertures  35 ,  36  respectively, that are located on either side of the pulley system  40 . Next the crossbars  25  and  26  that are connected to the pulley system  40  are secured to the arcuate members  15 ,  16  by bolts  33  similar to that which secure the crossing member  20  to the arcuate members  15  and  16 . 
         [0038]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , once the frame  10  is secured to the pulley system  40 , the pulley cable  50  can be attached to the system  5 . The cable  50  can be comprised of wire ropes, nylon coated wire ropes, braided cables, chain links, or other suitable cable that fits around the pulley system  40  and supports the forces of the attached weights  80 . To install the cable  50 , one end of the cable  50  is placed around the top of a first pulley  45  and pulled until a sufficient length of cable  50  reaches the underside of a second pulley  46 . The cable  50  is pulled around the underside of the second pulley  46  around the pulley  46  until the cable  50  reaches an upper portion of the third pulley  47 . Finally, the cable  50  is pulled along the upper side of the third pulley  47  and down along the pulley  47  to enable the series of pulleys rotate with the movement of the cable  50 . 
         [0039]    To secure the assembly  5  to a doorway  85 , first the crossbar  20  and the pair of arcuate members  15  and  16  are inserted through the doorway at a length that does not permit the crossbars  25  and  26  to pass through the door entrance. The crossbar  20  is placed on an upper portion of the doorway  85  and the rest of the assembly  5  is rotated downward until the pair of rubber paddings  30  and  31  of the crossbar  25  contact the sides of the doorway  85 . The placement of the doorframe  85  positioned between the crossbars  20  and  25  enables the assembly  5  to remain attached to the doorway  85  under its own weight and orientation of the crossbars  20  and  25 . Furthermore, placement of the rubber paddings  30  and  31  on the ends of the crossbar  25  and the padding  21  of the first crossbar  20  aid in providing friction against the doorway  85  to prevent any slippage of the assembly  5 . Furthermore, the paddings  21 ,  30 ,  31  additionally aid to protect the doorway  85  against any damage as a result of the forces applied to the assembly  5  when a user is performing an exercise routine. 
         [0040]    The pulley cable  50  includes an attachment clip  55  for connection to a variety of gripping attachments  60  that a user can grasp to perform their exercises. The gripping attachments  60  can be one or more of abdominal straps, ankle cuffs and straps, curl bars, traditional grips, lat bars, seated row handles, straight bars, and triceps ropes, or other suitable attachments known in the art. 
         [0041]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there are shown a plurality of weights attached to a weight holder  70 . The weight holder  70  includes central stem  75  and a large base  76 . The selected amount of weights is slid over or onto the weight holder  70  until the proper resistance is achieved; wherein the weights can be weighted plates  80 . The stem  75  of the weight holder  70  is adapted to receive a plurality of weights  80 , and the base  76  is adapted to hold the weights  80 . Although the base is shown to be circular, it is within the scope of the present invention to include a base section having other shapes including but not limited to shapes such as oval, square, rectangular and triangular. 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , there are shown a perspective views of the preferred embodiment showing the connection to a set of weights  80  in the doorway  85 , and a view of the in-door assembly  5  of the present invention while in use, respectively. The assembly  5  comprises a main frame  10  including a set of three crossbars  20 ,  25 , and  26 , connected by left  15  and right  16  arcuate bars. Furthermore, the main frame  10  is connected to a pulley system  40  having a set of three pulley wheels  45 ,  46 , and  47  that hold a pulley cable  50 . The cable connects the user to weights  80  that reside on a weight holder  70  having a central stem  75  and a base  76  having cutouts  78  thereon, with an opposing end connected to a gripping portion  60  that the user grasps to apply an opposing force to the weights  80 . When the user applies a force to the gripping portion  60 , the cable  50  moves along the pulleys  45 ,  46  and  47  of the pulley system  40 . The cable  50  movement initiates pulley  45 ,  46 ,  47  rotation and facilitates the lifting of the weights  80  off the ground when a force is applied to the gripping section  60 . The gripping portions  60  can be one or more of a plurality of attachments including that of abdominal straps, ankle cuffs and straps, curl bars, traditional grips, lat bars, seated row handles, straight bars, and triceps ropes. Thus, the device is capable of being used in a variety of positions that best fit the type of attachment used. Furthermore, the assembly can be used in a sitting, standing, kneeling or other similar positions to exercise. 
         [0043]    To remove the assembly  5  from the doorway  85 , first the weight holder  70  and the gripping  60  portions are separated from the clips  55  of the ends of the pulley cable  50 . Next the pulley cable  50  is pulled from one of the ends and removed from the pulley system  40 . Finally the assembly  5  is lifted and rotated forward so that the crossbar  20  is moved away from the doorway  85  and the assembly is separated from the doorway  85 . 
         [0044]    The present invention is designed for users who wish to exercise at home without requiring the use of large exercise equipment such as those commonly seen in gyms. The present invention is further designed for those who wish to have an exercise assembly that is installable on a doorway  85  and supported by its own weight. The present invention spans the width between sides of a doorway and is easily removable therefrom. The in-door exercise system  5  of the present invention includes a main body section  10  securable to a doorway  85 , and a hanging pulley system  40  connected to the main body section  10 . The pulley  50  is inserted through the pulley system  40  by being pulled over a first pulley  45 , under a second pulley  46 , and over the third pulley  47 . The opposing ends of the pulley cord  50  are then connected to a gripping handle  60  at one end and to a plurality of weights  80  at the opposite end that apply a resistive force for the user. 
         [0045]    Furthermore, the present invention is easily installed and removable on a doorway, and comprises no permanent fixtures that have the potential to damage a doorway  85 . The assembly  5  includes a clip  55  for the attachment of a variety of gripping portions  60  for the manipulation of the resistive weights  80 . Furthermore, the assembly can be used in a variety of positions including sitting and standing that enable a user to perform a wide range of exercises with the in-door assembly  5  of the present invention. After use, the exercise assembly  5  completely removes from the doorway  85 , enabling a user to have an unobstructed doorway when not in use. In this way, the present invention provides an assembly  5  for performing a multitude of exercises in a home setting without needing equipment that requires a large amount of space or permanent fixtures. 
         [0046]    It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
         [0047]    Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.