Abstract:
An exercise apparatus that is mountable to a substrate, having a channel, a belt, and at least one buckle. The buckle has a bottom portion that is adapted to fit within the channel such that the buckle can move along the channel and resist moving in either perpendicular direction. The buckle has a top portion that includes an opening for attaching exercise equipment and at least one cam. The cam is selectively engaged with the belt such that when the cam is disengaged, the buckle can be moved along the belt and when engaged, the buckle resists movement with respect to the belt.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to the field of exercise or physical therapy equipment. More specifically, the invention relates to a multi-use exercise apparatus that can be mounted to a vertical substrate, such as a wall. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Although exercise equipment that attaches to walls, doors, and other vertical surfaces is known in the prior art, these types of mounted exercise devices have not been fully optimized. Some examples of prior art wall or door mounted exercise devices include those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,057,370; 6,319,179; 6,267,711; 6,941,620; and U.S. Publication No. 2010/0048368. The inventors have improved on several dimensions of the prior art in this field. 
         [0003]    For example, one problem with certain prior art devices is that the vertically mounted exercise equipment only provides for incremental adjustment of the height or spacing of certain aspects of the equipment. The system described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,057,370 discloses an apparatus having this problem. The wall mountable resistance apparatus in the &#39;370 patent has a track that is mounted to a wall and a slide with a hook for attaching a band movable on the track. The slide is positioned on the track by inserting the plunger into one of a number of holes formed in the track. However, the slide may only be positioned along the track at the locations where there are holes in the track. This can prevent positioning of the slide at the most comfortable, effective or otherwise desirable spot. Further, the more holes the track has, the weaker the track will become and thus more prone to failure when being used. 
         [0004]    Another challenge faced by the designers of the prior art devices is providing an efficient, yet strong, base for the exercise apparatus and an effective attachment to the substrate to which the apparatus is mounted. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,941,620 discloses an adjustable strap assembly wherein a strap is attached to a door, such as by wrapping it around a door, and a cord is attached to the strap by an adjustable fastener. One disadvantage of such an assembly is that when the cord is pulled during exercise, the strap will tend to pull away from the door. This pull is undesirable for a number of reasons. First, it decreases the effectiveness of the exercise. Second, when the cord is released and the fastener and strap return to the door, unnecessary and distracting noise is made. Third, when the strap and fastener are repeatedly pulled from and returned to the door, damage to the door can result. Another disadvantage of such an assembly is that the strap at the top and bottom of the door may make it difficult to open or close the door with the strap attached. 
         [0005]    As such, there is a need for a mounted exercise apparatus that provides an efficient, yet strong connection to the vertical substrate to which it is mounted, as well as a sturdy connection between the apparatus and the straps, cords, bands, or other resistance elements used during exercise. It is similarly desirable to provide for the easy adjustment of continuous or infinite position settings, rather than pre-determined or incremental settings, for the various elements of the exercise apparatus. The inventors have improved on these and other aspects of the various prior art devices in this field. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention relates to a mountable exercise apparatus. In one embodiment, the apparatus has a base, a channel with a first end and a second end, a belt, and at least one buckle. The channel cooperates with the base such that the channel and the base can be mounted to a surface. The belt has a first end connected to the first end of the channel and a second end connected to the second end of the channel. The at least one buckle has a top portion and a bottom portion, where the bottom portion is adapted to fit within the channel such that the at least one buckle is moveable along the channel and resist moving in either perpendicular direction thereto. The top portion of the at least one buckle includes an attachment portion for attaching exercise equipment and at least one cam. The at least one cam is selectively engaged with the belt such that when the at least one cam is disengaged, the at least one buckle can be moved along the belt and when engaged, the at least one buckle resists movement with respect to the belt. 
         [0007]    In another embodiment, the apparatus has a vertical support, and a vertical raceway that is connected to the vertical support, and a web. The top of the web is connected to the top of the vertical support and the bottom of the web is connected to the bottom of the vertical raceway. At least one buckle is connected to the web and the vertical raceway by a selectably engaging mechanism such that the buckle or buckles can be moved along the web and vertical support when the selectably engaging mechanism is disengaged and such that the buckles resist movement when the selectably engaging mechanism is engaged. 
         [0008]    In another embodiment, the apparatus has a back plate and a channel, and screws can be used with holes in the back plate and channel to mount the back plate and the channel to a wall. The back plate also has a surface for holding and displaying information. A belt has a first end engaged with the top of the channel and a second end connected to a winch. The winch is sized to fit within the bottom of the channel such that when the winch is operated, the belt is tightened and the winch is secured in position with respect to the channel. Alternatively, a cam or cinch could also be used to tighten and secure the belt to the channel without departing from the spirit of the invention. At least one buckle includes an attachment portion, at least one foot that is sized to fit within and continuously engage the channel, and at least two cams. Each of the at least two cams are operable such that when each of the at least two cams are closed, the at least one buckle engages the belt and when each of the at least two cams is opened, the at least one buckle is moveable along the belt. An exercise device is attached to the attachment portion such that it may be used for exercising. The apparatus also may have a first cap sized to fit over the top of the channel and belt and a second cap sized to fit over the winch and the bottom of the channel. 
         [0009]    It will be understood by those skilled in the art that one or more aspects of this invention can meet certain objectives, while one or more other aspects can lead to certain other objectives. Other objects, features, benefits and advantages of the present invention will be apparent in this summary and descriptions of the disclosed embodiment, and will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Such objects, features, benefits and advantages will be apparent from the above as taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures and all reasonable inferences to be drawn therefrom. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of an exercise apparatus in accordance with the invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged view of the buckle shown within the area of line  2 - 2  in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the top of the exercise apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 , showing the connection for the belt to the top end of the apparatus. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the bottom of the exercise apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 , showing the connection for the belt to the bottom end of the apparatus. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the top and bottom of the exercise apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 , showing the connection of the belt to the apparatus. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the exercise apparatus shown in  FIG. 2 , taken along the lines  6 - 6 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is an isometric view from the top of a buckle from  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is an isometric view from the bottom of the buckle from  FIG. 7 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is a partial cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of a buckle for an exercise apparatus in accordance with the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is an isometric view from the bottom of the buckle from  FIG. 9 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  is a side elevation view of a cam from the buckle of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 12  is an isometric view of the cam from  FIG. 11 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 13  is an environmental view of an exercise apparatus in accordance with the present invention being used with resistance cables. 
           [0023]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a buckle for an exercise apparatus in accordance with the present invention showing straps attached to the attachment portion of the buckle. 
           [0024]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a buckle for an exercise apparatus in accordance with the present invention, showing straps attached to the attachment portion of the buckle along with an attachment anchor, a force sensing device, and a resistance cord. 
           [0025]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a buckle for an exercise apparatus in accordance with the present invention, showing straps attached to the attachment portion of the buckle along with an attachment anchor, a force sensing device, a resistance cable and a connection ring. 
           [0026]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the buckle with an attachment anchor and a connection ring from  FIG. 16 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]    Referring to the figures, an exercise apparatus  10  includes a base  14 , a belt  26 , and one or more buckles  24 . A belt  26  is mounted to the base  14 , and one or more buckles  24  are attached to the belt  26 . Exercise devices such as straps, cords, resistance bands, tubing, cables, or other devices can then be attached and detached to the buckles  24 . The buckles  24  may be positioned at any point along the belt  26 . By using the combination of a belt  26  and buckle  24  or buckles, the user can adjust the placement or anchor of the attached exercise devices in an infinite number of positions along the belt  26  and substantially to each end or the top and bottom of the belt. With this type of configuration, the user is not limited to discrete or pre-determined attachment positions on the apparatus. Adjustment of the placement of a buckle  24  is also smooth because the buckle does not travel over bumps, grooves, or other stop positions as the buckle is adjusted on the belt  26 . 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the base  14  includes a channel  12  that is sized to fit within a passage of or upon base  14 . The exercise apparatus  10  may be mounted to a substrate  20 . Appropriate mounting substrates may include a wall, door or any other surface sufficiently sturdy for the intended use of the apparatus  10 . Many appropriate mounting methods will be readily apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art. But, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , one method for mounting the exercise apparatus  10  to the substrate  20  is the use of screws  16  that can be inserted through matching holes  18  in the base  14  and channel  12  and into a stud in a substrate  20 . A variety of materials from which the exercise apparatus  10  may be manufactured will also be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the base  14  may be made of rigid PVC and the channel  12  from stainless steel, however other materials may be used without departing from the spirit of the invention. Although the mounted exercise apparatus  10  shown and discussed further below is mounted vertically, the apparatus  10  could also be mounted horizontally or in combination with additional apparatuses. 
         [0029]    As shown in the figures, particularly  FIGS. 1 ,  13  and  15 , the base  14  has a surface  22  on each side of channel  12 , which may be used or adapted for holding or displaying information or graphics. For example, surface  22  may display logos, artwork, or information, such as markings for suggested positioning of the buckles  24 , information regarding suggested exercises or branding and advertising. As shown in  FIG. 15 , the surface  22  has triangular markings that may indicate placement positions for the buckle  24  to assist with repeatability of exercises. The surface  22  on each side of the base  14  also helps give the mounted exercise apparatus  10  a more appealing, professional and quality look in that it appears substantive and durable. Although the base  14  shown in  FIG. 1  is substantially rectangular, other known shapes could also be used without departing from the spirit of the invention, such as a flat panel, cylinder, or other configurations. 
         [0030]    As seen in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , one end of the belt  26  is connected to the top of the channel  12  through the use of a support  28 . The support  28  could have a variety of shapes, but as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , the support  28  includes a generally flat plate having an upper vertical portion and a lower portion that is capable of interacting or resting in the channel  12 , and also having attachment points  30 . As shown in the figures, one end of the belt  26  has a loop  29 . Each end of the loop  29  is matched up with the attachment points  30  from the support  28  and a pin  32  is inserted through the loop  29  such that the belt  26  is securely held by in place at attachment points  30 . The support  28  is inserted into the channel  12  to hold the top of the belt  26  in place. The belt  26  is preferably made from polypropylene, but could also be manufactured from a variety of other materials. 
         [0031]    As seen in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the other end of the belt  26  is connected to the bottom of the channel  12  in a manner that permits a suitable amount of tension to be applied to the belt. In the embodiment shown, the belt  26  is inserted in a winch which is in turn connected to the channel  12 . The winch  34  has a split spool  36  that runs through the winch base  38 . On each end of the split spool  36  is a sprocket  40  with holes adapted to fit over the split spool  36 . A ‘D’ ring  42  is inserted through each end of the split spool  36 . The ‘D’ rings  42  are used to turn the split spool  36  in order to tighten the belt  26 . The sprockets  40  include teeth which are adapted to cooperate with a lock plate  44  in order to permit rotation of the sprockets  40  in one direction for tightening of the belt  26 , and prevent the sprockets  40  from moving in a reverse direction resulting in the loosening of the belt  26 . A guide pin  46  is passed through the winch base  38  above the winch  34 , positioned so as to help keep the belt  26  correctly orientated in the winch  34 . When the belt  26  is tightened through the use of the winch  34 , the belt  26 , support  28  and winch  34  will be held securely in place. Other methods for securing belt  26  to the exercise apparatus  10  could be used as well; for example, the belt  26  could be secured directly to the base  14 , rather than to the channel  12 . Nor is it required that belt  26  be attached as shown in the accompanying Figures; alternatives to the support and winch-style attachment shown could be used within the spirit of the invention as well, such as a bolted, riveted, or screwed attachment mechanism, or other adjustable or removable belt attachment systems. 
         [0032]    Exercise apparatus  10  may also optionally include end caps, such as shown in the figures; top cap  48  may be placed over the top of the exercise apparatus  10  and snapped onto the support  28  to conceal it. A bottom cap  50  may be placed over the bottom of the exercise apparatus  10  and snapped onto the winch  34  to conceal the winch  34 . The top  48  and bottom caps  50  are preferably made from plastic and can have guide pins that slide into the channel  12  to ensure that the caps  48 ,  50  stay in a fixed position during use of the mounted exercise apparatus  10 . The top  48  and bottom caps  50  may provide a more professional and pleasing appearance as there is no visible mounting hardware. The top  48  and bottom caps  50  may also prevent further unwanted manipulation of the belt  26  and prevent the printed information from being removed from the surfaces  22  of the base  14 . 
         [0033]    When fully assembled and installed, the exercise apparatus  10  gains stability and rigidity from the shape and nature of the base  14  and channel  12 , as well as from being mounted to the substrate  20 . Further, if the belt  26  is only attached at the top and bottom of the mounted exercise apparatus  10 , the buckles  24  can be positioned anywhere along the length of the apparatus  10 . Although the mounted exercise apparatus  10  can be of any length, in one embodiment, buckles  24  can be moved over a span of seven feet which allows the apparatus  10  to accommodate almost anyone regardless of height and for a variety of different exercises. 
         [0034]    The belt  26  of the exercise apparatus  10  can have one or more buckles  24  attached to it. For example,  FIGS. 1 and 13  show an exercise apparatus  10  having two buckles  24 . The buckles  24  are used to attach straps, cords, cables, resistance bands, elastic tubing, or other exercise or training equipment to the exercise apparatus  10 . The buckles  24  may be made from a zinc alloy coated in a copper nickel chrome plating, but other materials can be used without departing from the spirit of the invention. 
         [0035]    Each of the buckles  24  are attached to the exercise apparatus  10  in two ways. First, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the buckle  24  is attached to the channel  12  by the foot  52  on the bottom portion  54  of the buckle  24 . The channel  12  is formed such that it has a rail portion  56  on each of its sides. The foot  52  of the buckle  24  is formed and adapted to fit snugly inside each rail portion  56  of the channel  12 . This configuration prevents significant lateral movement, wiggling or torqueing when the mounted exercise apparatus  10  is being used, while still permitting smooth vertical movement of the buckle  24 . This configuration also prevents the buckles  24  from being pulled away from the substrate  20  when in use, thus preventing any damage to the substrate  20  or distracting noises. 
         [0036]    As shown in  FIGS. 6-8 , to further improve smoothness of movement and reduce noise, exercise apparatus  10  may include the use of a slide strip  57  and glides  58 . Specifically, the channel  12  may have a slide strip  57  positioned therein, for riding on by the buckle  24 . While any of various means of securement may be employed, the slide strip  57  shown in  FIG. 6  is secured to the channel  12  and the substrate  20  with screws  16  inserted in holes  18  that match the holes  18  in the base  14  and channel  12 . The slide strip  57  is made from extruded plastic or other low friction material and allows the buckle  24  to slide up and down the rail portion  56  more smoothly and quietly. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , each foot  52  has a glide  58  snapped over it or otherwise connected to it. The glides  58  are made from extruded plastic or other material as described above with respect to slide strip  57 , and allow the buckle  24  to slide up and down the rail portion  56  more smoothly and quietly. 
         [0037]    In another embodiment, shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the buckle  24  has a pair of wheels  60  on each side of the bottom portion  54  of the buckle  24  instead of a foot  52 , slide strip  57  and/or glides  58 . Each pair of wheels  60  rides within a rail portion  56  of the channel  12  and provides smooth and consistent vertical movement of the buckle  24  when the buckles  24  are disengaged from the belt  26 , while preventing lateral movement, wiggling or torqueing of the buckle  24 . Although more or less than a pair of wheels  60  can be used on each side of the bottom portion  54 , a pair of wheels  60  prevents rocking of the buckle  24  within or against the channel  12 . Channel  12  or could be shaped in other ways, to interact and cooperate with a foot  52  on buckles  24 . For example, a channel  12  could be a rail itself, and the foot  52  could be a slide that travels on the rail. Other configurations are within the scope of the invention as well. 
         [0038]    The buckles  24  also engage with the belt  26  to selectably permit or resist movement of the buckles along the belt  26 . The belt  26  is held between the platform  62  of the buckle  24  and one or both of two opposing cams  64 . Each of the two cams  64  of the buckle  24  is rotatably attached to the buckle  24  by means of a retaining shaft  66 . A retaining shaft  66  is inserted through the retention brackets  68  of each of the two cams  64 , as shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12  and held in place by a retention base  70  on each side of the buckle  24 . Thus the retaining shaft  66  is held in place by a retention base  70  on one side of the buckle  24 , extends through the retention brackets  68  of the cam  64 , and held in place by a retention base  70  on the opposite side of the bracket  24  such that the cam  64  can be rotated around the retaining shaft  66 . 
         [0039]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , a torsion spring  72  is wrapped around the center of the retaining shaft  66  of each cam  64  to bias the cam  64  toward platform  62 . With the belt  26  between the toothed pad  74  of the cam  64  and the platform  62  of the buckle  24 , the buckle  24  pinches the belt between the toothed pad  74  and the platform  62 , thereby providing resistance against the buckle moving along the belt  26 . 
         [0040]    As shown in  FIGS. 6-12 , each cam  64  of the buckle  24  has a lever  76  that can be used to release the belt  26 . The lever  76  from each of the two opposing cams  64  is pulled toward the center of the buckle  24 , such as by pinching the two levers  76  together using a thumb on one lever  76  and the fingers on another lever  76 . When the two levers  76  are rotated towards the center of the buckle  24  the pad  74  of each cam  64  rotates away from the belt  26 , thus releasing or disengaging from the belt  26 , and allowing the buckle  24  to be moved up and down the belt  26 , as well as the channel  12 , as previously described. When the lever  76  of each cam  64  is released, the spring  72  biases the toothed pad  74  of the cam  64  back towards the belt  26  thereby pinching the belt  26  and securing or engaging the buckle  24 . This configuration is sometimes referred to as a double cam spring action lever and allows the buckles  24  to be quickly and smoothly moved from one position to another. 
         [0041]    The buckle  24  also has an attachment portion  78 , to which exercise devices or other attachments may be attached. As shown in  FIG. 13 , two buckles  24  are attached to the exercise apparatus  10 , one for arm exercises and one for leg exercises, although more or fewer buckles  24  may be included as needed. As shown in  FIG. 14 , the attachment portion  78  is shown as a support structure having an aperture, but other structures could also be used for attachment portion  78 , such as slots, clips, flat structures, or other shaped support and/or aperture style structures. Elastic bands, cable or cords or can be attached to the attachment portion  78  of the buckle  24  by any known method such as straps  80 . As seen in  FIG. 13 , exercise devices  82  can also be used in connection with the exercise apparatus  10  by connecting such exercise devices  82  to the buckles  24 . Examples of exercise devices  82  that can be connected to the exercise apparatus  10  include a wide variety of straps, cords, resistance cables, bands, tubing, or other devices that could be pushed, pulled, or moved with respect to the exercise apparatus. 
         [0042]    Examples of attachment mechanisms include a wide variety of hooks, straps, carabineers, links, or other fasteners, including the attachment mechanisms disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,923,750 and 6,497,641 which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety for all purposes, examples of which are shown in  FIGS. 15-17 . The exercise device  82  shown in  FIG. 13 . includes a resistance cable  84  and a handle  86  attached to one end of the resistance cable  84 . The exercise device  82  shown in  FIG. 15 . additionally includes a cable anchor  88  capable of attaching multiple cables to the buckle  24 , such as for example, by another end of the resistance cable  84 , and a force sensing apparatus  90  that can be used to, for example, track individually customized exercise routines, monitor compliance and performance, and report results. The buckle  24  shown in  FIGS. 16-17  includes a cable anchor  88  and connection ring  96  which are attached to the buckle  24  by straps  80 . The connection ring  96  can be used to quickly attached and detach the exercise devices  82  with, for example, hooks, carabineers or links. 
         [0043]    Although the invention has been herein described in what is perceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments set forth above. Rather, it is recognized that modifications may be made by one of skill in the art of the invention without departing from the spirit or intent of the invention and, therefore, the invention is to be taken as including all reasonable equivalents to the subject matter of the appended claims and the description of the invention herein.