Abstract:
The present invention is a telescoping plyometric exercise device which can be rapidly adjusted for height using a single lifting motion. The apparatus is incrementally height-adjusted and secured in a position capable of withstanding force. The apparatus requires a single lifting motion to securely and incrementally adjust the device, and to balance impact and force through the use of novel, contoured inner components and structural assemblies. These inner components and structural assemblies are engineered to provide the capability for rapid height adjustment of the apparatus.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates to the field of exercise equipment, and more specifically to a recirculating ratcheting assembly utilized in plyometric equipment. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Plyometrics, also known as “jump training,” are primarily used by athletes, especially martial artists, high jumpers, to improve performance and are used in the fitness field to a much lesser degree. This type of training program does not require mechanical equipment or set up time. 
     Plyometric exercises are high-intensity, forceful moves designed to increase muscle speed and power by having a user to jump on or off a platform. Plyometrics routines require the plyometric platform height to be height-adjusted to accommodate the user and the progression of the training. 
     Originally used in training drills for athletes, plyometrics are rapidly being integrated into gym workouts and group exercise classes. There is a growing market for plyometrics equipment to supply gyms, health clubs and other work-out facilities with durable equipment that will withstand the high impact of many users. 
     As the trend in plyometrics moves from specialized athletic training to the general population, the usage of the equipment will be much heavier than the usage of equipment formerly experienced in specialized training environments. Many users will experience plyometrics through group classes and environments. The physical wear on the equipment is of concern. 
     There are advantages to plyometric equipment for home use and in settings such as schools where mechanized equipment is not practical. One advantage safety. Since there are no fast-moving mechanical such as belts or spokes, the equipment does not pose a hazard to children or pets. The equipment does not produce noise, and the moving parts do not require servicing. 
     A further concern as plyometrics moves into the commercial market is that there must be room to store the equipment. Although users require various levels of customized training and equipment, and facilities have limited storage capability and work-out space to accommodate work-out equipment which must be stored on the periphery of the work-out area for specific classes. Other users require compact devices which can be stored at home in living areas. 
     As opposed to specialized training environments, the devices must be readily adaptable for users of different heights and body proportions. 
     It is a further problem known in the art that detachable components which are user-modifiable to customize a device easily lost. 
     It is a further problem known in the art that users must be able to easily adjust equipment in a work out facility without special tools, equipment or training. 
     It is desirable to have plyometric work-out device that structurally meets the needs of commercial facilities and individual users in a growing market. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a telescoping plyometric device utilizing a novel ratcheting system capable of bearing weight. The invention includes two telescoping structures designated as “outer” and “inner” telescoping structures. The system further includes at rod having a cylindrical face. A first side and a second side of the inner structure have at least one slot with a diameter equal to or larger than the cylindrical face of the at least one rod. At least two sides of the outer structure have a series of contours comprising a plurality of semi-circular contours interspersed with a plurality downward sloping contours. This series of contours begins at an angled upper surface and ends at an angled lower surface. The semi-circular contours comprise a radius equal to or larger than said cylindrical face of at least one rod, while the downward sloping contours comprise faces angled between zero and ninety degrees to push the at least one rod in a laterally outward direction. 
     The rod component transfers weight to the lower assembly and the contours themselves are capable of bearing weight. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an isometric view of the recirculating ratchet assembly. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a side view of the recirculating ratchet assembly at one stage of the movement cycle. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of the recirculating ratchet assembly at another stage of the movement cycle. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of the recirculating ratchet assembly at another stage of the movement cycle. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a side view of the recirculating ratchet assembly at another stage of the movement cycle. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a side view of the recirculating ratchet assembly at another stage of the movement cycle. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a side view of the recirculating ratchet assembly at another stage of the movement cycle. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a side view of the recirculating ratchet assembly at another stage of the movement cycle. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates multiple views of a rack of the instant recirculating ratchet assembly. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates multiple views of a side plate of the instant recirculating ratchet assembly. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates multiple views of a rod of the instant recirculating ratchet assembly. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates an embodiment of a plyometrics exercise assembly combined with an embodiment of the recirculating ratchet assembly. 
         FIG. 13  illustrates an embodiment of the plyometrics exercise assembly separated into base and box sub-assemblies. 
         FIG. 14  illustrates an exploded isometric view of the base assembly of  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 15  illustrates an exploded isometric view of the box assembly of  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 16A  shows a first side view of the base assembly of  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 16B  shows a second side view the base assembly of  FIG. 13 , rotated through 90 degrees from  FIG. 16A . 
         FIG. 16C  shows an isometric overview of the base assembly of  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 17A  shows a first side view of the box assembly of  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 17B  shows a second side view the box assembly of  FIG. 13 , rotated through 90 degrees from  FIG. 16A . 
         FIG. 17C  shows an isometric underview of the box assembly of  FIG. 13 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 
     For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the present invention, references are made in the text to exemplary embodiments of a ratcheting device, only some of which are described herein. It should be understood that no limitations on the scope of the invention are intended by describing these exemplary embodiments. One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that alternate but functionally equivalent parts or components may be used. The inclusion of additional elements may be deemed readily apparent and obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art. Specific elements disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art to employ the present invention. 
     It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale; instead emphasis has been placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In addition, in the embodiments depicted herein, like reference numerals in the various drawings refer to identical or near identical structural elements. 
     Moreover, the terms “substantially” or “approximately” as used herein may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a recirculating ratcheting assembly is designated by the reference number  10 . The device is referred to as “recirculating” because it mechanically resets from the highest ratchet position when extended past the maximum height. 
     Ratcheting assembly  10  includes at least one rack  12  which is moved vertically during its operation, at least one indexing rod  37  and at least one side plate  23 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , the rack  12  as a rectangular shaped member having an upward face  18  and a second downward face  19 . The two faces are connected by a contoured sidewall  17 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , the side plate  23  has an upward face  28  and a second, downward face  29 . The two faces are connected by a contoured sidewall  27 . Side plate  23  also includes a contoured slot  26  that supports cylindrical face  38  of rod  37 .  FIG. 11  shows rod  37  with cylindrical face  38 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , when rod  37  is positioned in slot  26 , the cylindrical face  38  of rod  37  communicates the sidewall  27  of the side plate  23 . Face  19  of rack  12  communicates with face  28  of side plate  23 . 
       FIG. 2  shows the rack  12  and rod  37  in the seated position. Cylindrical face  38  of rod  37  rests on surface  31  of side plate  23 . The semi-circular surface  16  of rack  12  rests on the cylindrical face  38  of rod  37 . In this position, rack  12  is prevented from moving downward with respect to side plate  23 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , when rack  12  is lifted vertically, angled face  15  contacts cylindrical face  38  of rod  37 , thereby lifting rod  37  clear of the ratchet rack  12  and allowing each rack tooth to pass as rack  12  is lifted. As shown in  FIG. 2 , lowering rack  12  allows rod  37  to pass between the teeth of rack  12  and settle back onto surface  31  of side plate  23 . With rod  37  in this position, it stops rack  12  from traveling down any further thus supporting rack  12  in this location. 
       FIGS. 4 ,  5 ,  6 ,  7  and  8  detail resetting the ratchet assembly  10  so that it may be set to its lowest position as shown in  FIG. 8 .  FIG. 4  shows rack  12  being lifted to a point where lower surface  13  of rack  12  contacts cylindrical face  38  of rod  37 . Continuing to lift rack  12  allows lower surface  13  of rack  12  to contact cylindrical face  38  of rod  37 , lifting it into the reset position as shown in  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 6  shows rack  12  being lowered with rod  37  in the reset position sitting on surface  30  of side plate  23 . As rack  12  continues downward, upper surface  14  of rack  12  will contact cylindrical face  38  of rod  37  removing it from surface  30  of side plate  23  and allowing rod  37  to drop down to surface  31  of side plate  23 . This places rack  12  in its lowest position as shown in  FIG. 8 . From this point rack  12  can be lifted vertically and rod  37  can be placed in any position on rack  12 . This process can continue until rod  37  is once again places in the reset position allowing rack  12  to be lowered into its lowest position. 
     As shown in  FIG. 12 , the ratcheting assembly  10  is combined with a plyometrics exercise assembly  40  to provide box assembly  40  with a recirculating, ratcheting movement. Exercise assembly  40  comprises at least two sub-assemblies, base assembly  40   a  and box assembly  40   b . Base assembly  40   a  comprises at least two base side walls  41  alternately interconnected with at least two side plates  23 , at least one base plate  43 , and at least one rod  37 . Box assembly  40   b  comprises at least two box indicia walls  45  alternately interconnected with at least two box side walls  46  (only one visible in  FIG. 12 ), at least one ratchet  12 , and at least one exercise platform  47 . 
     Each indicia wall  45  comprises at least one measurement indicia  48  utilized to determine how far box assembly  40   b  has been raised. At least one of base side walls  41  may also comprise at least one indicia slot or groove  42 , which clearly indicates the measurement. 
       FIG. 13  shows separate fully assembled embodiments of base assembly  40   a  and box assembly  40   b.    
       FIG. 14  illustrates an exploded isometric view of base assembly  40   a . Each lateral side of side plate  23  comprises at least one tab  23   a . During assembly, tab  23   a  is inserted into at least one slot  41   a  of a base side wall  41 . Side plate  23  also comprises at least one slot  23   b . During assembly, slot  23   b  receives at least one tab  43   a  of base plate  43 . The components of base assembly  40   a  are thereby strongly interconnected. 
       FIG. 15  illustrates an exploded isometric view of box assembly  40   b . Each lateral side of each indicia  45  and side  46  wall comprises at least one tab-and-groove configuration  45   a  and  46   a , respectively. During assembly, tabs of configuration  45   a  are inserted into complementary grooves of configuration  46   a . Likewise, tabs of configuration  46   a  are inserted into complementary grooves of configuration  45   a . Each side of exercise platform  47  also comprises at least one slot  47   a . During assembly, slot  47   a  receives at least one tab  46   b  of side wall  46  or at least one tab  45   a  of indicia wall  45 . The components of box assembly  40   b  are thereby strongly interconnected. 
     In various embodiments the components of box assembly  40   b  may be connected by screws, bolts, nails, or adhesives, interlocking components or by any other mechanical means known in the art. 
       FIGS. 16A ,  16 B, and  16 C show a first side view of base assembly  40   a , second side view of base assembly  40   a  rotated through 90 degrees from the previous view, and isometric overview of base assembly  40   a , respectively. 
       FIGS. 17A ,  17 B, and  17 C show a first side view of box assembly  40   b , second side view of box assembly  40   b  rotated through 90 degrees from the previous view, and isometric underview of box assembly  40   b , respectively. Plyometrics exercise assembly  40  is preferably constructed of engineered wood, such as high-density plywood. 
     It can be seen through the description of this invention that various alternative embodiments are possible without deviating from the scope and spirit of this invention.