Abstract:
An exercise stand which is constructed of a main frame on which are mounted a leg at each corner. The leg is to support the main frame in a spaced position above a supporting surface. A pair of sub-frames are mounted on the main frame with each sub-frame being lineally slidably movable in a direction on the main frame to vary spacing between the sub-frames. Each sub-frame includes a plurality of members with each member on the sub-frame having a different orientation. A human user is capable of performing a plurality of different exercises using these members.

Description:
This application is to reference U.S. Provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/307,135, filed Jul. 24, 2001, entitled PUSH-N-PULL BODY-CISER by the present inventor, Michael Wayne Dorner. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The field of this invention relates to an exercise apparatus and more particularly to an exercise stand which is designed to be used in conjunction with a supporting surface. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   There is a significant trend within all of society for humans to pursue physical fitness. There have been a tremendous number of pieces of equipment that have been designed and are utilized in conjunction with this physical fitness trend. It has been noticed by the present inventor that exercise machines exist which enable a user to perform equal and opposite exercises (e.g., leg extensions and leg curls) in order to develop their legs in a balanced and symmetric way. However, common exercises, such as pull-ups and seated rows are not equal and opposite to the pressing movements (e.g., bench press or push-ups) used to develop the chest muscles. Therefore, the chest and back muscles are not worked and developed in symmetric balance. Developing and keeping the body in symmetric balance is important for achieving and maintaining proper posture and body mechanics, promotes improved athletic performance, and reduces the occurrence and/or severity of sports injuries. 
   Furthermore, the present inventor has noticed that, due to limited strength and/or physical discomfort, many people cannot sufficiently perform traditional push-ups, seated rows, or pull-ups. Push-ups, which work the triceps, anterior deltoid, and pectoral muscles, are usually performed by placing one&#39;s toes and hands on a horizontal supporting surface with the body being in a straight, stiff position. By exertion of the arms to push the body away from the ground by full extension of the arms and a return toward the ground by bending of the arms, a push-up is accomplished. Performing push-ups with palms flat against the floor often cases wrist pain and, therefore, this exercise is often avoided or discontinued before optimal benefits can be achieved. A pull-up works the posterior (rear) deltoids and the latissimus dorsi muscles of the back and is accomplished by hanging vertically from a horizontal bar sufficiently high enough above the ground that when the bar is held by the hands the body of the individual is suspended in air. By pulling of one&#39;s body to a height, usually so the head of the person extends above the horizontal bar and return of the body to a relaxed hanging position, a pull-up is accomplished. Many people lack the strength necessary to perform even a single traditional pull-up. Therefore, this exercise is often avoided. Finally, seated rows, which also work the posterior (rear) deltoids and the latissimus dorsi muscles of the back, are done by reaching forward and pulling a handle toward one&#39;s waist against a desired amount of resistance while sitting upright with feet resting on a supporting surface in front of the body. This exercise places a substantial load on the spine and lower back muscles, which can lead to discomfort or even injury. 
   Insufficient strength, discomfort and/or injuries often prevent or discourage people from performing traditional pull-ups, push-ups, and/or seated rows. If an apparatus was developed that would enable people of various strength levels to safely and comfortably work their upper body in perfect symmetric balance, it could be used by a wide range of individuals. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The basic embodiment of this invention is an exercise stand which is formed of a main frame. A plurality of legs is mounted to the main frame with each leg extending outward from the main frame and is adapted to rest on a supporting surface. The main frame is spaced from the supporting surface forming an underneath area located between the main frame and the supporting surface and an over area located above the main frame. The over area is designed to be used in conjunction with push-ups and the underneath area is designed to be used in conjunction with “reverse push-ups” which can also be defined as pull-ups. A pair of sub-frames are mounted on the main frame. Each sub-frame is lineally slidably movable in a direction on the main frame to vary the spacing between the sub-frames. Each sub-frame includes a plurality of grabable exercise members with each member on the sub-frame having a different orientation. A human user can perform a plurality of different exercises using these members. 
   A further embodiment of the present invention is where the basic embodiment is modified by having the main frame constructed of a plurality of interconnected elongated members. 
   A further embodiment of the present invention is where the plurality of interconnected elongated members are located in a rectangular configuration. 
   A further embodiment of the present invention is where the just previous embodiment is modified by each sub-frame being constructed of a pair of main support members which are parallel and have a longitudinal axis which is parallel to the direction of movement of the sub-frame on the main frame. 
   A further embodiment of the present invention is where the just previous embodiment is modified by two members being located transverse to the main support members with these two members being defined as cross members. 
   A further embodiment of the present invention is where the just previous embodiment is modified by the cross members forming a right angle with one of the main support cross members. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is to be made to the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the precise arrangement shown in the drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is an isometric view of the exercise stand of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the exercise stand of the present invention depicting the movement of the sub-frames on the main frame of the exercise stand; 
       FIG. 3  is a side elevational view of the main-frame portion of the exercise stand of the present invention showing the exercise stand being used in conjunction with a traditional push-up by a human user; and 
       FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of the exercise stand of the present invention depicting usage by a human user in performing reverse push-ups. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring particularly to  FIG. 1 , there is shown the exercise stand  10  of this invention. The exercise stand  10  is constructed of a main frame  12  which is composed of a pair of parallel spaced apart members defined as main tubes  14  and  16  which are interconnected at their respective ends by a pair of cross members defined as cross tubes  18  and  20 . Although tubes are shown, any desirable configuration for the members could be used, such as flat bars, solid rods or horizontal or octagonally shaped tubes or rods. The tubes  14  and  16  will generally be of the same length with a typical length being in the range of three to four feet. The cross tubes  18  and  20  are also of the same length with generally a typical length being in the range of fourteen to eighteen inches. Typical materials of construction for the tubes  14 – 20  could be of plastic, carbon, fiber or metals. The tubes  14 – 20  are arranged in a rectangular pattern defining corners  22 ,  24 ,  26  and  28 . At each of the corners  22 – 28 , there is mounted a leg connector  30 . Associated with each leg connector  30  is a wing nut set screw  32 . Instead of the wing nut set screw  32 , there could be used a pin or other fastener. A short leg  34  could be mounted in conjunction with each leg connector  30  and secured in place by the set screw  32 . Also, a long leg  36  could be substituted for the short leg  34  again fixedly secured in place by the set screw  32 . It is to be understood that any desired length of leg  34  or  36  could be utilized or in fact no leg could be utilized, as is shown in  FIG. 3 . In  FIG. 3 , the connectors  30  rest directly on the supporting surface  38  functioning as short legs. In  FIG. 4 , the legs  36  rest on the supporting surface  38 . 
   Typically, the exterior diameter of the connectors  30  are approximately one and one-quarter of an inch in diameter. The diameter of the main frames  12  and  14  and the cross tubes  18  and  20  will generally be about one inch. As can be readily observed in  FIG. 4 , the legs  36  are not located parallel but flare slightly outwardly. This flaring of the legs  36  in an outward direction is so as to give increased overall support to the exercise stand and make it less likely for the exercise stand to tip over. 
   Mounted between the main tubes  14  and  16  are a pair of sub-frames  40  and  42 . The sub-frame  40  has a main support member  44  which is telescopingly slidingly mounted on the main tube  14 . The sub-frame  40  also has a main support member  46  which is telescopingly slidingly mounted on the main tube  16 . In a similar manner, the sub-frame  42  has a main support member  48  which is telescopingly slidingly mounted on the main tube  14 . The sub-frame  42  also as a main support member  50  which is slidingly mounted on the main tube  16 . The main support members  44 – 50  are all of the same diameter and generally a one and one-quarter of an inch exterior diameter has been found to be satisfactory. Interconnecting the main support members  44  and  46  is a cross member  52  which is connected in a vertically oriented relationship to both of the main support members  44  and  46 . The sub-frame  42  has a similar cross member  54  which is connected in a vertically connecting relationship between the main support members  48  and  50 . The sub-frame  40  also has an inclined cross member  56  which connects between the junction of the cross member  52  with the main support member  46  to the main support member  44  at its innermost end. The result is the inclined cross member  56  in conjunction with the cross member  52  and the main support member  44  forms a right triangle. Typically, the diameter of the cross members  52  and  56  will be three-quarters of an inch. The sub-frame  42  also includes an inclined cross member  58  which is also similarly connected to the main cross member  50  at the junction with the cross member  54  and to the inner end of the main support member  48 . Again, the inclined cross member  58 , cross member  54  and main support member  48  form a right triangle configuration. 
   Each of the sub-frames  40  and  42  can be lineally slid in the direction of arrows  64  and  66  from a pair of the corners  30  to a position where such essentially abut one another in the area of the mid-point of the length of the main frame  12 . A set screw or other mechanism could be used to lock each of the sub frames in place at a desired location. When using of the exercise stand to perform push-ups, where there is a user  60  as shown in  FIG. 3  in an over area, by where the sub-frames  40  and  42  are placed, different working of the pectoral muscles is achieved. With the sub-frames  40  and  42  further apart, a wider definition of the pectoral muscles is achieved and with the sub-frames  40  and  42  placed closer together, a more pronounced appearance of the pectoral muscles will be obtained. When a user uses the exercise stand  10  of this invention to perform push-ups, the user also works the triceps and the anterior deltoids. 
   To perform pull-ups or “reverse push-ups”, a user  62  is positioned, as shown in  FIG. 4 . This places the user in an underneath area under the main frame  14 . The user is oriented in  FIG. 4  face up, and the user then grabs either members  52  and  54  or members  56  and  58 . The user is to first adjust the position of the sub-frames  40  and  42  on the main frame  12  and again depending upon whether a narrow position is selected or outer position is selected, a variance in the definition of the appropriate muscles that are being worked will be obtained. In normal operation, a user will position the sub-frames  40  and  42  at various positions on the main frame  12  and perform a series of pull-ups or push-ups at each selected position. 
   Using the exercise stand  10  of this invention, it has been found that the user is able to strengthen and tone the muscles of the upper body in perfect symmetric balance. The muscles that are toned are in the chest and the back. Various degrees of difficulty can be available when performing of exercises by the user. For example, in  FIG. 3  when doing push-ups, the user could be on his or her knees which makes the push-up a lot easier than if the user was on his or her toes. Also, if the user places his or her toes on an elevated surface, such as the surface of a chair, a more difficult and strenuous exercise can be obtained. Also, when doing pull-ups in  FIG. 4 , if the user maintains his or her body completely rigid, a more strenuous exercise is achieved than if the user bends his or her knees. 
   The exercise stand  10  of the present invention is simple to use, can be set up in seconds, is adjustable in height and width to any size body for maximum comfort and desired difficulty of level by using the sub-frames  40  and  42 . The exercise stand  10  of this invention is safe and completely eliminates the discomfort and injury associated with conventional push-ups or back exercises. Also, another advantage of the present invention is that the exercise stand  10  is inexpensive with the exercise stand  10  being able to be manufactured at low cost and sold at prices that are attractive to the consumer yet profitable for the manufacturer.