Abstract:
An exercise system selectively suspendable from a door frame that includes a right forearm engaging member that supports at least a portion of the weight of a user during the performance of an exercise, a left forearm engaging member that supports at least a portion of the weight of a user during the performance of an exercise, and a connecting structure that attaches at one end to the right and left forearm engaging members and that has an attachment mechanism at the other end that facilitates selective suspension of the right and left forearm engaging members from a door frame.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/610,934 filed Mar. 14, 2012. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    In general, the present invention relates to exercise devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to exercise devices that can be mounted on a door frame and that can be used to perform exercises that focus on differing muscle groups including abdominal and core muscles groups. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Portable and light-weight exercise devices have become an increasingly popular way to work out. Some of these devices mount to one or more structural elements that are built within a house during the construction process. For example, a device may be mounted to a door frame and/or within a doorway. While existing door frame mountable exercise devices are proficient at targeting certain muscle groups, these exercise devices are limited both in the type of exercises that can be performed and the muscle groups that can be targeted. 
         [0004]    One example of a door frame mountable exercise device can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,417,628 titled “Exercise Device for Chin-Ups.” This patent discloses an exercise device that can be mounted to a door frame and can be used to do pull-up or chin-up type exercises. Additional door frame mountable exercise devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,405,127 titled “Doorway mounted Horizontal Bar” and U.S. Patent Pub. No. US2005/0250619 titled “Doorway Mounted Exercise Apparatus.” Each of these publications also disclose an exercise device that can be mounted to a door frame and can be used to do pull-up or chin-up type exercises. 
         [0005]    While each of these devices enable a user to perform certain specific types of exercises, the types of exercises that can be performed using these devices is extremely limited. Indeed, use of the devices disclosed in the aforementioned publications may be limited to pull-up type exercises. As a result of the limited types of exercises that can be performed with these devices, the muscle groups targeted through use of these devices may also be limited. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    In one embodiment, an exercise system is selectively suspendable from a door frame. The system includes a right forearm engaging member that supports at least a portion of the weight of a user during the performance of an exercise, a left forearm engaging member that supports at least a portion of the weight of a user during the performance of an exercise, and a connecting structure that attaches at one end to the right and left forearm engaging members and that has an attachment mechanism at the other end that facilitates selective suspension of the right and left forearm engaging members from a door frame. 
         [0007]    In one aspect of the disclosure that may be combined with any of the aspects herein, the attachment mechanism may be selectively secured to and suspended from a mounting structure that is selectively connectable to a door frame. 
         [0008]    In another aspect that may be combined with any of the aspects herein, the attachment mechanism is a mounting structure that is selectively connectable to a door frame. 
         [0009]    In another aspect that may be combined with any of the aspects herein, the mounting structure comprises a first cross member that selectively engages a first side of wall above a doorway, a second cross member that selectively engages a second side of the wall, and a mounting member connecting the first cross member with the second cross member. 
         [0010]    In another aspect that may be combined with any of the aspects herein, the mounting structure comprises a first inner door frame mount, a second inner door frame mount, and a bar that extends between the first and second inner door frame mounts within a doorway. 
         [0011]    In another aspect that may be combined with any of the aspects herein, the connecting structure comprises a pair of elongated members that are generally parallel to one another. 
         [0012]    In another aspect that may be combined with any of the aspects herein, the lengths of the elongated members are selectively adjustable such that the vertical position of the right and left forearm engaging members can be varied within a doorway. 
         [0013]    In another aspect that may be combined with any of the aspects herein, the right and left forearm engaging members include right and left cushions. 
         [0014]    In another aspect that may be combined with any of the aspects herein, the exercise system further comprises a back engaging member. 
         [0015]    In another aspect that may be combined with any of the aspects herein, the back engaging member includes a cushion. 
         [0016]    In another aspect that may be combined with any of the aspects herein, the exercise system further comprises a stabilizing member that is connected to right and left forearm engaging members and that selectively engages a wall portion that is adjacent to a doorway. 
         [0017]    In another aspect that may be combined with any of the aspects herein, the stabilizing member selectively engages both a first wall portion to the right of the doorway and a second wall portion that is to the left of the doorway. 
         [0018]    In another aspect that may be combined with any of the aspects herein, the exercise system further comprises right and left stabilizing handles connected to and extending away from the right and left forearm engaging members, respectively. 
         [0019]    In another aspect that may be combined with any of the aspects herein, the exercise system further comprises right and left dip handles connected to right and left forearm engaging members, respectively, wherein the right and left dip handles are in a generally horizontal orientation when the exercise device is suspended from a door frame. 
         [0020]    In another aspect that may be combined with any of the aspects herein, the right and left stabilizing handles and the right and left dip handles have outer surfaces that are at least partially covered by either a foam or rubber material. 
         [0021]    In another aspect that may be combined with any of the aspects herein, an exercise system includes a mounting structure, a body engaging structure, and a connecting structure that connects the mounting structure with the body engaging structure. 
         [0022]    In another aspect that may be combined with any of the aspects herein, a mounting structure is selectively connectable to a door frame and includes a first cross member that selectively engages a first side of wall above a doorway, a second cross member that selectively engages a second side of the wall adjacent to the doorway, and a mounting member connecting the first cross member with the second cross member. 
         [0023]    In another aspect that may be combined with any of the aspects herein, a body engaging structure supports the weight of a user during performance of an exercise on the exercise device. 
         [0024]    In another aspect that may be combined with any of the aspects herein, a body engaging structure includes right and left forearm engaging members and a back engaging member. 
         [0025]    In another aspect that may be combined with any of the aspects herein, a body engaging structure includes a stabilizing member that selectively engages a second side of the wall adjacent to a doorway. 
         [0026]    In another aspect that may be combined with any of the aspects herein, a connecting structure comprises an elongated member having a selectively adjustable length. 
         [0027]    In another aspect that may be combined with any of the aspects herein, a body engaging structure comprises right and left stabilizing handles connected to and extending away from right and left forearm engaging members, respectively. 
         [0028]    In another aspect that may be combined with any of the aspects herein, a mounting structure is selectively connectable to a door frame and includes a bar that is configured to extend between a right and left side of a door frame within a doorway. 
         [0029]    In another aspect that may be combined with any of the aspects herein, a body engaging structure supports the weight of a user during performance of an exercise on the exercise device and includes a right forearm engaging member, a left forearm engaging member, and a back engaging member. 
         [0030]    In another aspect that may be combined with any of the aspects herein, a connecting structure removeably secures the mounting structure with the body engaging structure. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0031]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a door frame mountable exercise device according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 2A  illustrates a perspective view of a mounting structure according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 2B  illustrates a front view of an exercise system that combines the door frame mountable exercise device of  FIG. 1  with the mounting structure of  FIG. 2A . 
           [0034]      FIG. 2C  illustrates a side view of the exercise system of  FIG. 2B  being used to perform a tricep exercise. 
           [0035]      FIG. 3A  illustrates a perspective view of a mounting structure according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0036]      FIG. 3B  illustrates a front view of an exercise system that combines the door frame mountable exercise device of  FIG. 1  with the mounting structure of  FIG. 3A . 
           [0037]      FIG. 3C  illustrates a front view of the exercise system of  FIG. 3B  being used to perform an abdominal exercise. 
           [0038]      FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of a door frame mountable exercise device according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0039]    Exercise devices and systems that can be mounted to a door frame and that can be used to work out a variety of different muscle groups are provided herein. For example, the exercise devices and systems provided herein can be used to perform exercises that involve abdominal, core, and tricep muscle groups. 
         [0040]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exercise device  100  according to the present invention. Exercise device  100  may be suspended from a door frame mountable device, such as a pull-up bar. Exercise device  100  enables a user to perform a number of different exercises using the weight of the user&#39;s own body and gravity as resistance. 
         [0041]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , exercise device  100  includes a body engaging structure  110 , a stabilizing member  140 , and a connecting structure  150 . Body engaging structure  110  includes a right forearm engaging member  112  and a left forearm engaging member  114 . When exercise device  100  is suspended from a door frame mountable device, right and left forearm engaging members  112  and  114  may be positioned in a generally horizontal orientation and may provide a user with a place to rest his or her forearms during the performance of an abdominal exercise on exercise device  100 .  FIG. 3C  illustrates exercise device  100  being used to perform an abdominal exercise (e.g., a vertical knee raise exercise). Given that most or all of a user&#39;s weight may be placed on his or her forearms during the performance of an abdominal exercise, right and left forearm engaging members  112  and  114  may include a right cushioning member  116  and a left cushioning member  118 , respectively. 
         [0042]    To provide additional stability to a user performing an exercise on exercise device  100 , right and left forearm engaging members  112  and  114  may also include a right stabilizing handle  120  and a left stabilizing handle  122 . Right and left stabilizing handles  120  and  122  may extend away from right and left forearm engaging members  112  and  114 , respectively, at generally right angles such that a user may easily grasp handles  120  and  122  when the user&#39;s forearms are positioned on right cushioning member  116  and left cushioning member  118 . A user may grasp right and left stabilizing handles  120  and  122  to avoid the user&#39;s forearms from unintentionally slipping off of right forearm engaging member  112  or left forearm engaging member  114  during the performance of an abdominal exercise on exercise device  100 . 
         [0043]    Right and left forearm engaging members  112  and  114  may further include a right dip handle  124  and a left dip handle  126 . Dip handles  124  and  126  may be grasped by a user performing dip exercises on exercise device  100 .  FIG. 2C  illustrates exercise device  100  being used to perform a dip exercise. When exercise device  100  is suspended from a door frame mountable device, dip handles  124  and  126  may be positioned in a generally horizontal orientation. 
         [0044]    The outer surfaces of right and left stabilizing handles  120  and  122  and right and left dip handles  124  and  126  may be covered in part or in whole in a material that helps to prevent a user&#39;s hands from slipping during performance of an exercise. For example, handles  120 ,  122 ,  124 , and  126  may include an outer covering made of foam, rubber, or another material that helps to prevent slipping. 
         [0045]    Body engaging structure  110  may also include a back engaging member  128 . When exercise device  100  is suspended from a door frame mountable device, back engaging member  128  may be positioned in a generally vertical orientation and may provide a user with a place to position his or her back during the during the performance of an abdominal exercise on exercise device  100 . For added comfort, back engaging member  128  may include a cushioning member  130 . 
         [0046]    Right and left forearm engaging members  112  and  114  and back engaging member  128  may be secured together via a direct or an indirect connection. For example, with regard to exercise device  100 , right and left forearm engaging members  112  and  114  and back engaging member  128  are each directly connected to stabilizing member  140  and thus indirectly connected to each other. 
         [0047]    In addition to connecting right and left forearm engaging members  112  and  114  and back engaging member  128  together, stabilizing member  140  may be configured so that it contacts a wall to either the right side or the left side of a doorway in which exercise device  100  is to be used. The term “wall” as used herein broadly includes any material that may be used as a vertical partition, including but not limited to wood (e.g., a wooden door frame that defines a doorway), sheet rock, plaster, cement, brick, stone, or another material. This wall contact may provide stability to exercise device  100  during the performance of an exercise. 
         [0048]    As shown in  FIGS. 2B ,  3 B, and  3 C, stabilizing member  140  may also be longer than the width of a doorway such that contact is made with the wall both on the right side and on the left side of the doorway, thus providing an added amount of stabilization for exercise device  100 . Stabilizing member  140  may include pads  142   a  and  142   b  in the places where contact may be made with a wall. These pads may help avoid marring or otherwise damaging walls and may further ensure a stable connection. Pads  142   a  and  142   b  may be made of foam, rubber, or another material. 
         [0049]    Exercise device  100  also includes a connecting structure  150 . Connecting structure  150  connects body engaging structure  110  and stabilizing member  140  with a mounting structure. A mounting structure, according to the present invention, may take on any number of different forms.  FIGS. 2A and 3A  illustrate two different example mounting structures  170  and  190 , which will be discussed in greater detail below. 
         [0050]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , connecting structure  150  comprises a right elongated member  152  and a left elongated member  154 . Right elongated member  152  and left elongated member  154  may be generally parallel and may further be positioned in generally vertical orientations. Right elongated member  152  and left elongated member  154  may be connected to body engaging structure  110  and/or stabilizing member  140  through either direct or indirect connections. These connections may be permanent. For example, to the extent that both body engaging structure  110  and connecting structure  150  are made from a metal based material, these components may be permanently welded together. In addition, connecting structure  150  may be integrally formed with body engaging structure  110  and/or stabilizing member  140 . Alternatively, the connection between connecting structure  150  and body engaging structure  110  or stabilizing member  140  may be selectively releasable such that connecting structure  150  may be selectively disconnected from body engaging structure  110  and/or stabilizing member  140 . 
         [0051]    The length of right and left elongated members  152  and  154  may be selectively adjustable. One of skill in the art will appreciate that there are many different mechanisms that may allow the length of right and left elongated members  152  and  154  to be selectively adjustable. For example, right and left elongated members  152  and  154  may include right and left telescoping mechanisms  156  and  158 , respectively. Telescoping mechanisms  156  and  158  may allow an upper portion of elongated members  152  and  154  to fit within or about a lower portion of the elongated member. Right and left telescoping pins  160   a  and  160   b  may fit within holes  162   a  and  162   b  to secure telescoping mechanisms  156  and  158  in a configuration so that right and left elongated members  152  and  154  are at a desired length. 
         [0052]    Right elongated member  152  and left elongated member  154  also include attachment mechanisms  164  and  166 , respectively. Attachment mechanisms  164  and  168  may be connected to a mounting structure. A mounting structure may be any structure that is securable to a door frame and that is capable of suspending exercise device  100 . As discussed in more detail hereafter,  FIGS. 2A and 3A  illustrate perspective views of example mounting structures  170  and  190 . 
         [0053]    Right and left attachment mechanisms  164  and  166  may include right and left generally inverted u-shaped members  168   a  and  168   b  that hook to a generally horizontal portion of a mounting structure. Right and left attachment mechanisms  164  and  166  may further include right and left attachment pins  169   a  and  169   b,  which can extend between two ends of u-shaped members  168   a  and  168   b  to lock a generally horizontal portion of a mounting structure within u-shaped members  168   a  and  168   b.    
         [0054]    Referring to  FIG. 2A , mounting structure  170  includes a first cross member  172 , a second cross member  174  and mounting members  176  and  178 . First and second cross members  172  and  174  may have lengths that are more or less than the width of a doorway. Mounting members  176  and  178  are generally L-shaped and include generally vertical portions  180   a  and  180   b,  respectively, and generally horizontal portions  182   a  and  182   b,  respectively. First cross member  172  is connected to generally vertical portions  180   a  and  180   b  of mounting members  176  and  178 . Second cross member  174  is connected to generally horizontal portions  182   a  and  182   b  of mounting members  176  and  178 . As a result, first and second cross members  172  and  174  are both horizontally and vertically offset from one another. 
         [0055]      FIG. 2B  illustrates a front view of a door frame  188  and depicts how exercise device  100  may be suspended from door frame  188 . Specifically,  FIG. 2B  illustrates an exercise system that includes exercise device  100  and mounting structure  170 . Mounting structure  170  may be positioned on door frame  188  so that the first cross member  172  passes through the doorway defined by door frame  188  and contacts a first side of a wall above the doorway. As can be seen in  FIG. 2B , first cross member  172  optionally has a length that is less than the width of the doorway. 
         [0056]    Vertical portions  180   a  and  180   b  of mounting members  176  and  178  extend downward and horizontal portions  182   a  and  182   b  extend through the doorway so that second cross member  174  engages a second side of the wall. Second cross member  174  may engage the second side of the wall in a single or multiple places. With regard to mounting structure  170 , second cross member  174  has a width that is greater than the width of the doorway such that it contacts the second side of the wall in two places: to the right of the doorway and to the left of the doorway. A downward force exerted on second cross member  174  causes first and second cross members  172  and  174  to be pressed against opposing sides of the doorway, thus holding mounting structure  170  securely in place. 
         [0057]    Exercise device  100  can be selectively attached to mounting structure  170 . For instance, right and left attachment mechanisms  164  and  168  may be positioned about second cross member  174  to selectively suspend exercise device  100  from door frame  188  as illustrated by the arrows in  FIG. 2B . 
         [0058]      FIG. 2C  illustrates a side view of exercise device  100  mounted to door frame  188  via mounting structure  170  and depicts how exercise device  100  may be used to perform dip exercises. As depicted in  FIG. 2C , a user  189  may grasp dip handles  124  and  126  and raise and lower his or her body with his or her feet off the ground. User  189  may face either toward or away from exercise device  100 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 3A  illustrates another example mounting structure  190 . Mounting structure  190  includes a right inner door frame mount  192 , a left inner door frame mount  194 , and a bar  196 . Right and left inner door frame mounts  192  and  194  may be secured to opposing inner vertical portions of a door frame. Right and left inner door frame mounts  192  and  194  may further include brackets that allow bar  196  to be secured between right and left inner door frame mounts  192  and  194 . The length of bar  196  may be selectively adjustable to ensure that bar  196  will fit within a doorway. 
         [0060]      FIG. 3B  illustrates a front view of a door frame  198  and depicts how exercise device  100  may be suspended from door frame  198 . Specifically,  FIG. 3B  illustrates an exercise system that includes exercise device  100  and mounting structure  190 . Right and left inner door frame mounts  192  and  194  of mounting structure  190  are secured to right and left inner vertical surfaces, respectively, of door frame  198 . Exercise device  100  can be selectively attached to mounting structure  190 . Specifically, right and left attachment mechanisms  164  and  168  may be positioned about bar  196  to selectively suspend exercise device  100  from door frame  198  as illustrated by the arrows in  FIG. 3B . 
         [0061]      FIG. 3C  illustrates a front view of exercise device  100  mounted to door frame  198  via mounting structure  190  and depicts how exercise device  100  may be used to perform abdominal exercises. As depicted in  FIG. 3C , a user  199  may rest his or her forearms on right and left cushioning members  116  and  118 , grasp right and left stabilizing handles  120  and  122  and raise and lower his or her knees. 
         [0062]      FIG. 4  illustrates an exercise device  200  according to another embodiment of the present invention. Exercise device  200  includes a body engaging structure  210  and a connecting structure  250 . Body engaging structure  210  and connecting structure  250  each perform functions and include components that are similar to exercise device  100 . For example, body engaging structure  210  includes right and left forearm engaging members  212  and  214  and a back engaging member  215 . Body engaging structure  210  also includes a right forearm engaging member  216 , a left forearm engaging member  218 , a right stabilizing handle  220 , a left stabilizing handle  222 , a right dip handle  224 , and a left dip handle  226 . 
         [0063]    Connecting structure  250  includes a right elongated member  252  and a left elongated member  254 . Right and left elongated members  252  and  254  are connected to body engaging structure  210 , and may be formed integrally therewith. Connecting structure  250  also includes an attachment mechanism  256  and a stabilizing member  240 . Unlike exercise device  100 , however, stabilizing member  240  does not engage any portion of a wall surrounding a doorway. Also unlike exercise device  100 , attachment mechanism  256  in exercise device  200  is itself a mounting structure. Thus, exercise device  200  does not secure to and suspend from a separate mounting structure. Rather the mounting structure is part of connecting structure  250  in exercise device  200 . 
         [0064]    Attachment mechanism  256  includes a first cross member  272 , a second cross member  274  and mounting members  276  and  278 . First cross member  272  may have a length that is less than the width of a doorway. Second cross member  274  may have a length that is greater than the width of a doorway. Second cross member  274  may also include grip members  275   a  and  275   b  that may be used to perform pull-up or chin-up type exercises. Mounting members  276  and  278  may include generally vertical portions  280   a  and  280   b,  respectively, and generally horizontal portions  282   a  and  282   b,  respectively. First cross member  272  is connected to the generally vertical portions  280   a  and  280   b  of mounting members  276  and  278 . Second cross member  274  is connected to the generally horizontal portions  282   a  and  282   b  of mounting members  276  and  278 . 
         [0065]    Attachment mechanism  256  may be positioned on a door frame so that the first cross member  272  passes through the doorway defined by the door frame and contacts a first side of a wall above the doorway. Vertical portions  280   a  and  280   b  of mounting members  276  and  278  extend downward and horizontal portions  282   a  and  282   b  extend through the doorway so that second cross member  274  selectively engages a second side of the wall. A downward force exerted on second cross member  274  causes first and second cross members  272  and  274  to be pressed against opposing sides of the doorway, thus holding exercise device  200  securely in place. 
         [0066]    In exercise device  200 , mounting member  276  is integrally formed with right elongated member  252  and right forearm engaging member  212 . Mounting member  278  is integrally formed with left elongated member  254  and left forearm engaging member  214 . Generally horizontal portions  282   a  and  282   b  are substantially parallel to one another. Right and left elongated member  252  and  254  are generally vertical and substantially parallel to one another. Stabilizing member  240 , first cross member  272 , and second cross member  274  are each generally horizontal and substantially parallel to one another. 
       INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
       [0067]    In general, systems and devices of the present invention may be suspended from a door frame and may enable a person to perform exercises that target specific muscle groups. For example, systems and devices of the present invention may be used to perform abdominal/core muscle exercises and tricep exercises. Systems and devices of the present invention may include a body engaging structure and a connecting structure. A body engaging structure may support all or part of a person&#39;s body weight during performance of an exercise. A connecting structure may selectively suspend the body engaging structure from a door frame. 
         [0068]    A connecting structure may include an attachment mechanism that is selectively attachable to a mounting structure. A mounting structure, according to the present invention, may be any structure that may be secured to a door frame and that is capable of suspending a body engaging member therefrom. A mounting structure may be removably or permanently secured to a door frame. 
         [0069]    An attachment mechanism may selectively attach to a mounting structure via one or more hooks, pins, straps, or other devices. Alternatively, a connecting structure may include an attachment mechanism that comprises a mounting structure. For example, a connecting structure may be permanently attached to or integrally formed with a connecting structure. For example, a connecting structure may comprise a bar that can be secured to right and left vertical inner surfaces of a door frame. 
         [0070]    An attachment mechanism, according to the present invention, may comprise one or more elongated members. For example, in one embodiment, the attachment mechanism may comprise a single elongated member that is connected to a body engaging member at one end and that includes an attachment mechanism at the other end. 
         [0071]    An exercise device of the present invention may also include a stabilizing member. A stabilizing member may contact a wall to provide additional stability to a body engaging member. For example, a stabilizing member may contact a wall on either the right or left side of a doorway. Alternatively, a stabilizing member may contact a wall on both the right and left sides of a doorway. Additionally, a stabilizing member may contact the front and/or back sides of a doorway.