Abstract:
An exercise chair which is suitable for use with Pilates and other exercises, and which is more easily stored than existing exercise chairs. The exercise chairs are positioned one behind each other in a line. Optionally, the chairs may be locked together and then tilted up as a unit so that the resulting footprint occupied on the floor is relatively small. The chair has a sturdy base having fewer moving parts to avoid sacrificed performance associated with moving parts wearing out. The chair may optional include handle sections or grips to facilitate performing exercises on the chair.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention generally relates to the field of exercise equipment. More specifically, the invention relates to an exercise chair that may be used for Pilates and other exercises, and/or an exercise chair that may be stored with other chairs. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Different types of exercise are increasingly popular. One such form of exercise is Pilates, and an increasing number of Pilates studios are being established. 
     One form of equipment used for Pilates is the Pilates chair. Originally called the Wunda Chair, different variations of this chair have come into existence over time. However, certain characteristics of these chairs have existed for many years. For example, these chairs typically include a lever that is pressed down and that is attached to the chair by one or more springs. These springs, and the resistance they provide to the lever as the lever is pressed down, may be adjusted by repositioning the spring ends so as to stretch or compress the spring thereby providing more or less resistance. 
     Oftentimes, an instructor in a Pilates studio teaches a class of two or more students. Such classes are increasingly popular given the cost of one-on-one instruction. Pilates classes whereby each student uses a Pilates chair are increasingly popular because a number of exercises may be performed on a Pilates chair. Accordingly, a Pilates studio offering such classes will have a number of Pilates chairs on hand. However, space is often at a premium in Pilates studios so the storage of Pilates chairs may be an issue. 
     Recently, several attempts have been made to address the storability of Pilates chairs. For example, Peak Pilates has proposed a stackable chair named the MVe™ Fitness Chair which is disclosed in the pending applications having International Publication Nos. WO 2007/146901 A2 and WO 2007/146902 A2. Literature associated with this chair indicates that it weighs just over 30 pounds and that as many as five such chairs may be stacked. However, given the weight and relatively bulky configuration of this chair, it does not appear that these chairs may be easily stacked. Furthermore, in order for this chair to be stacked, the position of the lever and the transverse rod which attaches the lever to the chair, must first be repositioned. And when these chairs are later unstacked for use, the lever and transverse bar must again be repositioned. 
     Another chair described in the above-referenced WO 2007/146902 A2 publication involves a folding frame to reduce the size of the chair and the space required to store it. Another chair involving a folding operation is disclosed in International Publication No. US 2007/0037677 A1. However, to fold the frame, the frame includes several pivoting connections which may compromise the rigidity and feel of the chair when in use. The folding aspect of the frame involves additional moving parts which may also wear out. 
     It is thus an object of the invention to provide an exercise chair, such as that which may be used for Pilates exercises, that addresses the foregoing shortcomings. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One aspect of the invention allows exercise chairs to be more easily stored. To this end, chairs embodying the current invention may be positioned behind each other in a line. Optionally, the chairs may be locked together and then tilted up as a unit so that the resulting footprint occupied on the floor is relatively small. 
     Another aspect of the invention involves a sturdy base having fewer moving parts and that avoids sacrificed performance associated with moving parts wearing out. 
     Another aspect of the invention involves a seat having holes and handle sections or grips to facilitate performing exercises on the chair. 
     Another aspect of the invention involves additional exercise bands and/or stability bars that may be attached to the base so that additional exercises may be performed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a front downward perspective view of an exercise chair. 
         FIG. 2  shows a rear downward perspective view of an exercise chair. 
         FIG. 3  shows a front upward perspective view of an exercise chair. 
         FIG. 4  shows a rear upward perspective view of an exercise chair. 
         FIG. 5  shows a rear downward view of an exercise chair. 
         FIG. 6  shows an alternate configuration for attaching the front spring ends to the levers. 
         FIG. 7  shows an alternate configuration for attaching the front spring ends to the levers. 
         FIG. 8  shows an alternate configuration for attaching the front spring ends to the levers. 
         FIG. 9  shows an alternate configuration for attaching the front spring ends to the levers. 
         FIG. 10  shows a front downward view of two exercise chairs. 
         FIG. 11  shows a rear downward view of two exercise chairs. 
         FIG. 12  shows two exercise chairs tilted up in a storage position. 
         FIG. 13  shows an exercise chair having prongs of an alternate embodiment. 
         FIG. 14  shows an alternate embodiment chair. 
         FIG. 15  shows a front downward perspective view of two alternative embodiment chairs lined up together. 
         FIG. 16  shows a front upward perspective view of two alternate embodiment chairs lined up together. 
         FIG. 17  shows an exercise chair having elastic members attached to the base. 
         FIG. 18  shows an exercise chair with stability bars. 
         FIG. 19  shows an alternative device for engaging two chairs. 
         FIG. 20  shows an alternative device for engaging two chairs. 
         FIG. 21  shows an alternative device for engaging two chairs. 
       FIGS.  22 A and  22 AA shows an alternative device for engaging two chairs. 
         FIG. 22B  shows an alternative device for engaging two chairs. 
         FIG. 22C  shows an alternative device for engaging two chairs. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     While there are many different embodiments within the scope of the invention, the figures and the following description illustrate preferred embodiments. The present disclosure is an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments illustrated. 
     Though the exercise chair of the invention described herein is especially suitable for use with Pilates exercises, the invention may be used with other forms of exercise. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-5 , a preferred embodiment of the exercise chair of the invention is now described. The chair  10  generally includes base  100 , seat  200  connected to base  100 , one or more movable lever(s)  300  that is (are) connected to base  100  via rod  310  and springs  340  which impart resistance, and prongs  400 . As with exercise chairs such as those dating back to the original Wunda Chair, chair  10  allows a user to press down on lever(s)  300 . 
     The base  100  may comprise several frame members, such as u-shaped frame members, including lower frame member  102 , that in turn may comprise lower side members  104   a  and  104   b , lower curved members  106  and lower rear member  108 . As shown, lower frame member  102  may comprise one contiguous piece. Alternatively, lower frame member  102  may comprise separable pieces coupled together through press fits involving a male/female arrangement between pieces, screws or other fasteners, welding, soldering or other suitable means. 
     Base  100  also preferably includes front seat support  130   a  and rear seat support  130   b  that may be attached to lower frame member  102 . Seat supports  130   a  and  130   b  may each comprise a pair of legs  132 , curved pieces  134  and upper horizontal member  136 . As shown, seat supports  130   a  and  130   b  may comprise one contiguous piece. Alternatively, seat supports  130   a  and  130   b  may comprise separable pieces coupled together through press fits involving a male/female arrangement between pieces, screws or other fasteners, welding, soldering or other suitable means. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , base  100  also preferably includes upper frame member  140  which may be attached to rear seat support  130   b . Upper frame member  140  may comprise curved pieces  142  and upper rear member  144 . One or more brackets  146  may be attached to upper rear member  144  to which one or more springs  340  may be attached as discussed in more detail later. As shown, upper rear frame member  140  may comprise one contiguous piece. Alternatively, upper rear frame member  140  may comprise separable pieces that are coupled together through press fits involving a male/female arrangement between pieces, screws or other fasteners, welding, soldering or other suitable means. 
     As discussed in connection with the storage aspect of the invention, and as shown in  FIGS. 2-5 , it is preferred that lower rear frame member  108  and upper rear frame member  140  are similarly configured. 
     The components of frame  100 , i.e., lower frame member  102 , front and rear seat supports  130   a  and  130   b , and upper frame member  140  may be attached to each other such as by the means identified above. 
     In a preferred embodiment wherein multiple chairs  10  may be stored together, a pair of prongs  400  may be attached to base  100 . As shown, prongs  400  may comprise one contiguous piece that may contiguously extend to base  100 . Alternatively, prongs  400  may include separable components such as transition piece  402  which connects prong  400  to base  100 , outward piece  404  which is directed outward, transition piece  406  and leg  408  that are coupled together through press fits involving a male/female arrangement between pieces, screws or other fasteners, welding, soldering or other suitable means. Prongs  400  may also be attached to base  100  such as by the means identified above. 
     A seat  200  is preferably attached to base  100  via seat front and rear supports  130   a  and  130   b . As shown in  FIG. 3 , seat supports  130   a  and  130   b  may include holes  138  through which screws (not shown) or some other type of fastener may extend to seat  200 . 
     Seat  200  may comprise a flat support section  202  and a padded section  204 . Seat  200  preferably includes two holes  210  for the user to grasp seat  200  to provide stability while exercising. This is advantageous especially for certain exercises requiring good balance control. This also enhances the safety of chair  10 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, seat  200  has the same width as base  100 . In this configuration, seat  200  may accommodate users of varying sizes and shoulder breadths, and still have sufficient width for holes  210 . However, this may still be accomplished with seats  200  of different widths. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , seat  200  may include grips  212  that are attached to the underside of seat  200 . Grips  212  may be attached to the underside of seat  200  through screws or other suitable means. As the user extends his or her fingers through holes  210 , or as the user extends his or her fingers around the side edges of seat  200 , the user may curl his or her fingers to engage grips  212  to improve grip, balance and safety. 
     Holes  210  and grips  212  may be especially useful where the user is performing an exercise where it is intended that the user grasp the side edges of the seat. By having holes  210 , the user is provided options as to how wide the user grasps the seat, i.e., at the side edges  220  or at the edge of holes  210 . Also, users of different shoulder breadths may be accommodated by the multiple gripping positions. 
     Lever(s)  300  are now more fully described. The use of singular or plural reference to lever(s)  300  is not made to limit the invention. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention may involve one or multiple lever(s)  300 . Lever(s)  300  may be attached to base  100 . As shown, lever  300  may comprise a rod  310 , lever  320  and pedal  330 . Rod  310  preferably extends between and is attached to lower side members  104   a  and  104   b  of base  100 . Rod  310  is preferably mounted to base  100  such that it may rotate about its axis when lever  320  is pressed down. As shown, chair  10  preferably includes two levers  320   a  and  320   b , as well as two pedals  330   a  and  330   b  that are preferably padded, to allow the user to press down one side at a time. To this end, rod  310  may include separate rods  310   a  and  310   b  that rotate independently of each other. 
     However, pedals  330   a  and  330   b  may include a locking mechanism so that the levers  320   a  and  320   b  may act as one lever  320 . In this configuration, when the user presses down, both levers move together. For example, rod  331  may extend through only one of the pedals  330  when multi lever operation is desired. But for single lever operation, rod  331  may be adjusted so that it extends into the other pedal. More particularly, rod  331  may be spring biased inward so that in one position, it extends through pedal  330   a  and into  330   b . However, the rod may be pulled axially outward and rotated so that when released, it does not extend all the way through pedal  330   a  and into pedal  330   b.    
     Springs  340  preferably extend between levers  320  and base  100 . As shown, one spring  340   a  and  340   b  may be used for each lever  320   a  and  320   b , but two or more springs may be used for each lever  320  which will impart more resistance to the user as he or she pushes lever(s)  320  down. Alternatively, other types of resistance, such as elastic bands, may be used instead of springs. 
     The ends of springs  340  may comprise hooks to attach to different parts of chair  10 . As shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , the front end of spring  340  may be coupled to lever  320  and the back end of spring  340  may be coupled to bracket  146  which in turn is attached to upper rear member  144  of upper frame member  140  of frame  100 . Alternatively, the rear end of spring  340  may be attached directly to upper rear member  144  through holes therein (not shown). The front end of spring  340  may be coupled to lever  320  at one location or alternatively, at multiple locations along lever  320  if adjustability is desired. An advantage of having the rear spring ends attach to frame  100  instead of to seat  200  is that seat  200  may be removed without removing the springs  340 . 
     The connection of springs  340  to levers  320  is now more fully described. In one embodiment, each lever  320   a  and  320   b  may include a positioning strip  350   a  and  350   b  that may be attached to levers  320  by screws or other suitable means. Positioning strips  350  preferably include a number of holes  352  which serve as locations at which the front ends of springs  340  may be located. There may be four or some other number of holes  352 . Regardless of the number of holes present, this embodiment advantageously provides identifiable locations at which to locate the front spring ends, as opposed to locating the front spring ends anywhere along levers  320 . With identifiable spring end locations, the resistance of the springs  340  may be adjusted uniformly between the two levers  320 . Accordingly, one side of the user&#39;s body is not inadvertently worked harder than the other. 
     Levers  320   a  and  320   b  may also include a collar  360   a  and  360   b . In one embodiment, each collar  360  preferably fully encircles lever  320  for ease of adjustment and so that collar  360  does not separate from lever  320 . Collar  360  preferably fits around lever  320  with somewhat of a snug fit, but with still enough play so that collar  360  may be positioned up and down lever  320 . 
     Collar  360  preferably includes a bracket  364  (as shown in  FIG. 4 ) which includes holes through which the front spring ends may extend. Other suitable means to attach the front spring ends to collar  360  may be used as well. 
     Collar  360  preferably includes a pop pin  362  around which the front spring end may extend (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) or otherwise be attached to. Pop pin  362  may be inserted and retracted from holes  352  in positioning strip  350  according to pop pin designs such as those that have existed for some time. Accordingly, springs  340  may be adjusted to identifiable locations per holes  352 . 
     Several alternate configurations for coupling the front spring ends to lever  320  are now described with reference to  FIGS. 6-9 . 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 6 , levers  320  may each have two flanges  370  attached thereto. Flanges  370  preferably include a number of holes  374 . As shown, the front spring end such as a hook, may be positioned in any of these holes to adjust the resistance of springs  340 . A decorative cover  376  may be fitted to each flange  370  for aesthetic purposes. If covers  376  are used, they preferably have holes or other cutouts to correspond to holes  374 . Instead of two flanges  370 , one or another number of flanges may be attached to levers  320 . 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 7 , lever  320  may include a positioning strip  380  with a number of holes therein. The sides of strip  380  may include rails  382 . A pop pin assembly  384  may be located on positioning strip  380 . Pop pin assembly  384  may include rails  386  that engage rails  382  in a male/female or other suitable arrangement. Pop pin assembly includes flanges  387  having holes through which the front spring ends may extend. Pop pin assembly includes pop pin  388  which may be inserted in or retracted from the holes on positioning strip  380 . In this manner, pop pin assembly  384  may be positioned up or down lever  320  in identifiable positions per the holes to adjust the resistance of spring  340 . 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 8 , pop pin assembly  384  does not engage a positioning strip, but instead engages holes in lever  320 . In this embodiment, pop pin assembly  384  may be separated from lever  320  and inserted into another hole. The pop pin assembly of  FIG. 8  may also be mounted on the other side of lever  320  as shown in  FIG. 7  (but again, without the positioning strip). 
       FIG. 9  shows another type of pop pin  390  that may be used to directly engage holes in levers  320 . This pop pin  390  is more fully described in co-pending application U.S. Ser. No. 11/652,806, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     The rear end of springs  340  may also be adjustable to further vary resistance. In one embodiment, one or more rear vertical frame member(s) (not shown) may extend between lower rear member  108  and upper rear member  144 . These rear vertical frame members may include multiple holes for the hooks of spring  340 , or may alternately include an adjustable pop pin arrangement as discussed in connection with the foregoing embodiments of attaching the front spring ends to lever  320 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 17 , pop pin  390  (or other type of attachment means) may engage holes  101  in base  100 . These pop pins  390  may be attached to elastic members  501  that may comprise stretchable cord or other suitable material. Handles  503  may be attached to the ends of cords  501 . The cords  501  in  FIG. 17  are shown laying on the ground, but the user may grasp one or both handles  503  while sitting or kneeling on seat  200 , or standing beside seat  200  and use them to perform curls or some other type of exercise. 
     As shown in  FIG. 18 , chair  10  may include stability bars  505  that include handles  507 . Stability bars may attach to base  100  such as by members  509 . These allow the user to perform other exercises with chair  10 , e.g., exercises where the user grasps handles  507  to suspend himself or herself off chair  10  while pressing down on pedals  330 . 
     The storage of multiple chairs  10  is now more fully described with reference to  FIGS. 10-12 . As shown, multiple chairs  10  may be lined up one behind the other. When the desired number of chairs have been lined up, the line of chairs may be tipped upward as shown in  FIG. 12  so that the resulting footprint on the floor required by chairs  10  is relatively small. This manner of storage is advantageous over other stackable and folding chair designs for at least the following reasons. 
     First, a chair need not be picked up and stacked over another chair as in stackable designs. This is significant given the weight and bulky configuration of stackable chairs. Indeed, it would appear to require two individuals to stack chairs and only a limited number of chairs may be safely stacked. In contrast, the chairs  10  of the current invention may be easily lined up one behind the other to arrange chairs in a storage position. Once the desired number  10  of chairs are so arranged, the tipping action to tip the line of chairs up is relatively easy compared to having to pick multiple chairs straight up to stack it on top of another chair. 
     Second, chairs  10  need not be folded up, and components need not be rearranged, in order to store them. Instead, base  100  may remain in the same configuration when chair  10  is stored as when chair  10  is in use. This contributes to the rigidity and overall sturdy feel of chair  10  when in use. This also avoids moving parts which may wear out over time and sacrifice performance. 
     The components of chair  10  related to its storage are now more fully described. Chair  10  may include prongs  400  that are attached to frame  100 . As shown in  FIGS. 10-11 , prongs  400  may be configured so that the base  100  of another chair may fit therebetween. One or both prongs  400  may include a rail  410  that may engage a rail  170  fitted on the lower side members  104   a  and  104   b  of lower frame member  102  of frame  100 . Rails  410  preferably include one or more holes as shown in  FIG. 3 . As two chairs  10  are positioned together, rails  170  and  410  may engage each other in a male/female or other suitable arrangement. In this manner, the prongs  400  of one chair  10  may engage the base  100  of another chair  10 . 
     Flanges  430 , including cushion  432 , may be positioned at the ends of prongs  400  to avoid pedals  330  from hitting the floor. Alternatively, flanges  430  and cushions  432  need not be used as discussed above. 
     In order to securely position consecutive chairs  10 , frame  100  may include a pop pin  172  (as in  FIG. 4 ) mounted to one or both of the lower side member(s)  104   a  and/or  104   b . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the pop pin handle may extend inwardly of frame  100  and the pin may extend through the lower side member(s)  104   a  and/or  104   b  so that the pin may protrude from rail  170  when desired. 
     As chairs  10  are positioned together, the pin may be retracted so that rails  170  and  410  may engage each other. When chairs  10  have been positioned together the pin may be released so that it is inserted into one of the holes in rail  410  of prong  400 . In this manner, two chairs  10  are securely positioned together. In an alternate embodiment, the pop pin may be attached to one or both prongs  400  so that the pin extends into holes in the rails  170  mounted to frame  100 . 
     As shown, wheels  148  may be mounted to frame  100 . In the embodiment shown, wheels  148  may be mounted to lower rear member  108 . It is preferred that wheels  148  are mounted so that they do not engage the floor when chair  10  is horizontal. However, when chair  10  is tilted, such as that occurring when prongs  400  are lifted up, wheels  148  preferably do engage the floor. This may help position one chair  10  in line with another chair  10  when attaching multiple chairs  10  together to store, or to simply move one chair  10  to another location. 
     When two or more chairs have been together in a line, wheels  148  may also aid in transporting the line of chairs  10 . That is, the prongs  400  of the forwardmost chair in the line may be picked up and the entire line of chairs  10  may be rolled to another location. It is believed that this is a relatively easy operation because an individual will have leverage to pick up the prongs  400  and rotate the line of chairs upward generally about the rear point of lower rear member  108  and/or the axis of wheels  149 . 
     The invention contemplates a variety of ways for two chairs to engage each other. Another alternative is shown in  FIG. 19  wherein wheels  610  may be mounted to prongs  400 . Prong  400  may also include holes  612 . Rails  614  may be mounted to base  100 . In this manner, one chair may be lined up behind the other such that the wheels  610  engage rails  614 , generally by wheels  610  sliding or moving within rails  614 . In this manner, one chair may be moved closer to another chair in front of it. When the two chairs are sufficiently close together a pop pin  616  mounted to base  100 , e.g., similar to how pop pin  172  is mounted to base  100  in  FIG. 4 , may be used to engage a hole  612  in prong  400 . 
     The device  610  need not be wheels, but may instead comprise a pin, peg or any other member protruding from prong  400  that may engage rail  610 . The member  610  need not necessarily be round, but may be of any other cross section that may engage rails  614 . The wheel, pin, peg or other member  610  may be teflon coated as may the interior surface of rails  614  to facilitates two chairs being lined up one behind the other. Device  610  may replace tabs  430  and cushions  432  because device  610  may prevent pedals  330  from hitting the ground. 
     Another alternative embodiment for two chairs to engage each other is shown in  FIG. 20 . In this embodiment, wheels, tabs, pegs or other devices  710  may be attached to frame  100  as shown. The device  710  need not be round as noted above, and may be teflon coated as may be rails  410 . In this embodiment, the members comprising the lower rear portion of frame  100  may be squared off so that device  710  may be positioned to engage rails  410  mounted to prongs  400 . Alternatively, frame  100  need not be squared off as shown in  FIG. 20 , but may instead be rounded as shown in the other figures. Similar to the above-described embodiments, devices  710  engage rails  410  and then a pop pin  716  may be used once the chairs are sufficiently close. 
     Another alternative embodiment for two chairs to engage each other is shown in  FIG. 21 . In this embodiment, devices  810  which may be similar to devices  610  and  710  discussed above may be mounted to prongs  400 . Another member  812  may also be mounted to prongs  400 . Members  812  are shown as square blocks in  FIG. 21 , but they may comprise other cross sectional shapes as well. Rails  814  may be attached to frame  100  as shown. In this embodiment, rails  814  may not have a lower flange as shown with the other rails. Rails  814  preferably have a J hook or other shaped closed section  814  at one end. 
     Similar to the embodiments described above, devices  810  may engage rails  814  as the two chairs are brought closer together. This embodiment may provide the advantage that devices  810  need not necessarily line up to fit between the upper and lower flanges of the rails. Instead, devices  810  may simply move underneath the flange (what had been the upper flange in the above-described rails) of rails  814 . Devices  810  may then engage closed end  816  at which point the chairs are preferably sufficiently close together. Closed ends  816  preferably mate with the shape of devices  810 , though this is not absolutely necessary. It is preferred that closed ends  816  generally keep devices  810  in position. 
     As devices  810  engage rails  814 , so too may members  814  have moved under the flange of rails  814 . When devices  810  engage the closed end  816 , members  812  are preferably underneath rails  814 . In this manner, the two chairs engage each other such that the prongs  400  of the forward chair may be picked up and both chairs may be tilted up and transported in a line as discussed above. That is, when the prongs  400  of the forward chair are picked up, the closed ends  816  supports devices  810  from the bottom and members  812  engage rails  814  from the top. As the chairs are tilted up, devices  810  and member  812  engage rails  814  to generally keep the two chairs in a line. 
     To help keep the two chairs engaged to each other, a lever  818  may be mounted to the bottom of frame  100  as shown and may rotate as indicated by the arrows in  FIG. 21 . Lever  818  may typically be positioned under frame  100 . But when the two chairs are positioned together, lever may be rotated out so that it supports or engages the bottom of the prong  400  of the rear chair in the line. Both sides of frame  100  may have a lever  818 . 
     The lever  818  need not be in the shape shown, but any device that engages the bottom of the prong may be used. To this end, hooks, clamps, bands and other devices that help secure the prongs of a rear chair to the frame of the forward chair may be used. To this end, this device  818  need not be mounted on the bottom of frame  100 . 
       FIGS. 22A-22C  show alternative rails  814  that may engage devices  810  and members  814  Again, devices  810  need not necessarily be round and members  812  need not necessarily be square. In  FIG. 22B , the rear end of the rails  814  may be curved upward to help guide devices  810  under rails  814 . The surface of devices  810 , member  812  and rails  814  may be teflon coated to ease two chairs moving closer together. As described above, it is desired that devices  810  engage closed ends  816  so that closed ends  816  hold devices  810  generally in position. In this manner, when the prongs  400  of the forward chair are picked up, the closed ends  816  supports devices  810  from the bottom and members  812  engage rails  814  from the top. 
     The different means to engage two chairs together described above may be used as described or in combination with each other. 
     When the line of chairs is moved to the desired storage location, the line of chairs may be further tipped upward by the individual lifting the prongs  400  of the forwardmost chair further up so that the line of chairs is substantially vertical as shown in  FIG. 12 . At this point, the lower rear member  108  and upper rear member  144  of frame  100  are near the floor. To help the line of chairs rest in a vertical position, knobs  149  may be fitted to lower rear member  108  and upper rear member  144 . Knobs  149  may comprise rubber or some other material that provides friction with the floor. 
     It can be seen that the vertical line of chairs occupies a relatively small footprint on the floor, which may be very important in smaller Pilates studios. Indeed, this small footprint is believed to be smaller than the footprint of stackable chairs. Furthermore, the tipping and rolling efforts required to move the line of chairs to their storage location is easier and safer than picking up heavy and bulky chairs to stack them and then sliding the stack of chairs to the desired storage location. 
     When it is desired to use the chairs  10  in the stored position, the vertical line of chairs may be tipped down to a horizontal position, and the chairs  10  may be detached from each other, and each chair  10  may be moved to the desired location for use. Again, chairs  10  are more easily and more safely moved from their storage position to the position where they will be used because tipping downward is easier than picking chairs straight up off a stack of chairs. 
       FIG. 13  shows an alternate configuration for prongs  400 . In this embodiment, prongs  400  may be configured to fit within the frame  100  of the chair  10  in front of it in the line of chairs  10 . In this embodiment, lower rear member  108  is mounted to the legs  132  so that prongs  400  may extend into the frame  100 . Also in this embodiment, prongs  400  are preferably short enough so that they do not interfere with rod  310  when chairs  10  are lined up. 
     Another embodiment of chair  10  is now discussed with reference to  FIG. 14 . Components that are common or similar to components discussed above are similarly numbered. In this embodiment, prongs  400  may be attached to, or form a contiguous part of, base  100 . Prongs  400  may extend forward in a V-shape. Upper rear member  144  may also comprise a straight bar between legs  132 . 
       FIGS. 15-16  show how two chairs  10  of this embodiment may be positioned together. As shown, prongs  400  may include flange  420  that in turn includes a tab  422 . As chairs  10  are lined up, the tab  422  of one chair may fit into a slot  199  in the base  100  of the chair  10  in front of it. As such, multiple chairs  10  may be locked together. The line of chairs may then be wheeled to the storage location and tipped to a vertical position. 
     Although certain presently preferred embodiments of the invention have been described herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains that variations and modifications of the described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.