Patent Publication Number: US-10780312-B2

Title: Bed exercise apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/413,553, entitled “Bed Exercise Apparatus”, filed on Jan. 24, 2017, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/343,442, entitled “Bed Exercise Apparatus”, filed on Mar. 7, 2014, and which claims the benefit of and priority, under 35 U.S.C. 119 § (e), to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/543,920, filed on Oct. 6, 2011, and titled “Bed Exercise Apparatus”. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention disclosed herein generally relates to an exercise apparatus. In particular, the inventive exercise apparatus is primarily for exercising in a bed mainly for stretching and resistance exercises. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Exercise and strengthening of muscles is very important to the maintenance of health. Many people who are sick and bedridden or generally more sedentary lose muscle tone, which leads into a cycle of further loss of muscle strength. Even people who are not bedridden or sedentary often require regular exercise therapy to strengthen muscles to address ongoing maladies such as back pain. Sometimes it is necessary for people to perform exercises first thing in the morning right after waking up and even before getting out of bed to allow them to become mobile. Furthermore, many people are unable or do not have the time to go to a gym and are more likely to have the time to exercise and would prefer to exercise at home.
 
Home exercise equipment, however, poses many issues. Very often people do not have the space in their abode to accommodate the exercise equipment. In order to address this issue, equipment often is folded away in some manner to be put out of sight under a bed or in a closet or to stand unobtrusively against a wall. However, this equipment is not easily brought out and set up by someone who is sick and bedridden or has very low muscle tone. Moreover, the unobtrusiveness of the equipment is also not conducive to encouraging regular use.
 
In order to address this issue, others have devised exercise equipment to be used in a bed. Very often, due to the type of exercise that the equipment needs to provide, the exercise equipment must be braced in some manner against the bed structure. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,820,519 and 5,820,532 disclose exercise equipment that is clamped to the upper portion of a headboard or is braced with some kind of horizontal member or board extending under the mattress. However, equipment that is clamped against the upper portion of a headboard may cause damage to the headboard. Moreover, it puts a high torque force on the upper part of the headboard or footboard when used, and thereby applies excessive force to the attachments of the headboard or footboard. This type of equipment is also usually very unsightly, and is difficult to repeatedly remove and attach. Equipment that is braced under the mattress applies a force to the mattress or box-spring below the mattress that it is not designed to withstand. Furthermore, the horizontal member or hoard will push up on the mattress and make the mattress lumpy and uneven to sleep on. It is also difficult to install and remove the horizontal member, because a person must lift up the mattress to do so. Also, if left in place, this type of exercise equipment is unsightly as well. Others, such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,561,979 and 3,218,067, show headboards and/or footboards with built-in exercise equipment. However, such headboards and footboards with built-in exercise equipment can be bulky, very expensive, and are not easily reconfigurable.
 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides an exercise apparatus that may be used in a bed and be easily configured for many different exercises, primarily stretching and resistance exercises, while minimizing stress on the bed structure and in some embodiments may be dismantled and/or hidden from view with relative ease. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, the exercise apparatus has a lower frame and an upper frame. The lower frame can be positioned between a headboard and a bed frame. The headboard mattress-facing side may be connected to the lower frame. Similarly, the bed frame headboard-facing side may be connected to the lower frame. The lower frame preferably does not extend above a top surface of a mattress on the beds frame. The lower frame may have one or more attachment couplers connected to it. The attachment couplers preferably extend and/or are capable of extending above the top surface of the mattress and one or more exercise bands may attach to the attachment couplers. The upper frame is configured to be connected on a top of the lower frame and may serve as an intermediate connection between some or all of the attachment couplers and the lower frame. This exemplary embodiment of the exercise apparatus may also include one or more poles that connect to the exercise apparatus via a set of one or more apertures in the lower frame or upper frame. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, the exercise apparatus includes a bed frame, a headboard, a lower frame and an upper frame. A head of the bed frame connects to a front wide side of the lower frame. On a back wide side of the lower frame a front wide side of the headboard is connected. The upper frame has attachment couplers, also referred to as equipment mounting connections, for exercise equipment and is configured to connect to the lower frame in such manner that at least a portion of the upper frame may be disposed above an upper side of the lower frame. The upper frame may be configured with an upper crossbeam and a lower crossbeam and one or more mounting bars, which act as attachment couplers for exercise equipment, extending from the upper crossbeam to the lower crossbeam. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, the exercise apparatus includes a lower frame and an upper frame for a bed with a bed frame and a headboard. The head board is positioned by a head of the bed frame with the lower frame positioned between the head of the bed frame and the headboard. The lower frame may be fixedly connected to the bed frame and/or headboard. The upper frame has attachment couplers for exercise equipment and is configured to connect to the lower frame in such manner that at least a portion of the upper frame may be disposed above an upper side of the lower frame. The bed may further include a mattress and the lower frame may be configured in such manner that the upper side of the lower frame does not extend above a top surface level of the mattress. The upper side of the upper frame preferably extends above a top surface level of the mattress. The upper frame may be configured with an upper crossbeam and a lower crossbeam and one or more mounting bars extending from the upper crossbeam to the lower crossbeam. The exercise apparatus may further include one or more exercise bands connected to the one or more mounting bars. 
     In one alternative configuration, the exercise apparatus may include: a lower section ring, a lower sheave, an upper sheave, and an elongated exercise band. The lower section ring and the lower sheave are mounted proximate to an upper surface of a lower crossbeam of the upper frame. The upper sheave is mounted proximate to an upper surface of an upper crossbeam of the upper frame. The elongated exercise band is mounted at a first end to the lower section ring. The elongated exercise band extends from the first end of the exercise band around the lower sheave and then around the upper sheave. Band guide apertures in an upper crossbeam of the upper frame allow the elongated exercise band to extend therethrough between the lower sheave and the upper sheave. The upper frame may also have a bisecting crossbeam that bisects the upper frame into an upper portion and a lower portion. Extending between the bisecting crossbeam and the upper crossbeam may be one or more mounting bars. The bisecting crossbeam may also have second band guide apertures that allow the exercise band to extend through the bisecting crossbeam. 
     In embodiments of the exercise apparatus according to the present invention that have a lower and upper frame, the upper frame may be removably connected to the lower frame. In one such exemplary configuration, the upper frame has a mounting elbow connected to a lower surface of a lower crossbeam of the upper frame proximal to a first narrow side of the upper frame and a mounting bracket on a second narrow side. In this configuration, the upper frame may be mounted on the lower frame by first positioning the lower surface of the lower crossbeam of the upper frame perpendicular to the upper surface of the upper crossbeam of the lower frame, then inserting the mounting elbow into the mounting aperture, then rotating the upper frame so as to bring the lower surface of the lower crossbeam of the upper frame into flush contact with the upper surface of the upper crossbeam of the lower frame, and then anchoring the mounting bracket to a second narrow side of the lower frame. Alternatively, the upper frame and lower frame may be configured with a tongue and groove type connection which allows for removable connection of the upper frame by sliding a tongue portion on one of the frames in or out of a groove on the other frame. Where the upper frame is removable from the lower frame, the upper surface of the lower frame may be a padding material layer. 
     The exercise apparatus according to the present invention may include a rod that connects to the upper frame, the lower frame or both. The rod may be connected via a set of rod apertures in the upper frame, the lower frame or both. In one alternative configuration, the upper frame has an upper frame upper crossbeam and an upper frame lower crossbeam and the set of rod apertures includes a first rod aperture in a top surface of the upper frame upper crossbeam, the rod extending through the set of rod apertures. The set of rod apertures may further include an aperture in a lower surface of the upper frame upper crossbeam. The set of rod apertures may further include an aperture in an upper surface of the upper frame lower crossbeam. The set of rod apertures may further include an aperture in a lower surface of the upper frame lower crossbeam. The lower frame may also be configured with a lower frame upper crossbeam and a lower frame lower crossbeam and the set of rod apertures further includes an aperture in an upper surface of the lower frame upper crossbeam. The set of rod apertures may further include an aperture in a lower surface of the lower frame upper crossbeam. The set of rod apertures may further include an aperture in an upper surface of the lower frame lower crossbeam. The set of rod apertures may further include an aperture in a lower surface of the lower frame lower crossbeam. The rod may be height adjustable. In one exemplary embodiment the rod is height adjustable by configuring the rod with rod protrusions and configuring the apertures with an irregular shape. The rod protrusions allow the rod to slide through the apertures only when they are aligned with the irregular shape of the rod apertures. Alternatively, the rod may be configured with several nested portions that can extend or retract. 
     The rod may be configured with a mounting ring; the mounting ring may be positioned at a top of the rod. The exercise apparatus may further include one or more exercise bands connected to the mounting ring. Alternatively, the rod may have a top sheave mounted proximal to the top of the rod and a bottom sheave mounted to the rod below the top sheave with the mounting ring positioned along a side of the rod. In this exemplary configuration, the exercise apparatus may include an exercise band that connects at a first end to the mounting ring and extends over a top of the sheave then extends to the bottom sheave, and then under the bottom sheave and over the head of the bed frame. The exercise band may have a handle on a second end distal to the first end. In another alternative exemplary configuration, a desk is rotatably mounted on the rod. In a further alternative exemplary configuration, a lamp is rotatably or fixedly mounted on the rod. 
     The exercise apparatus according to the present invention may have a lower frame and/or upper frame that are configured in a rectangular annular shape. The lower frame and/or upper frame of the exercise apparatus according to the present invention may be formed of hollow tubing and/or have a rectangular cross-sectional form. 
     In one alternative configuration of the exercise apparatus according to the present invention, the bed frame has a bed frame middle crossbeam that extends from a first wide side of the bed frame to an opposing second wide side. The lower frame, in this configuration may have a bracing bar that connects to the bed frame middle crossbeam. 
     The exercise apparatus according to the present invention may have a lower frame mounting ring connected to the lower frame. The lower frame mounting ring may be mounted on a lower surface of the lower crossbeam of the lower frame. Similarly, an upper frame mounting ring may be provided on the upper frame and it may be mounted on the upper surface of the upper crossbeam of the upper frame. Alternatively, a hinge may be mounted to the upper surface of the upper frame. A rod is rotatably mounted to the hinge on a first end and the upper frame mounting ring is provided on a second end of the rod. The rod is preferably capable of at least rotating in such manner that a top of the rod may be moved from being proximate to a first narrow side of the upper frame to being proximate to a second narrow side of the upper frame. 
     In an exercise apparatus configuration with the lower frame mounting ring, the exercise apparatus may further include an exercise band that extends to a distal end of the bed frame opposing the head of the bed frame. Alternatively, the exercise apparatus may also include a side pole mounted on a side of the bed frame other than the head of the bed frame. On the side pole is an upper sheave mounted on the side pole proximal to an upper end of the side pole and a lower sheave mounted on the side pole proximal to a lower end of the side pole. The exercise band mounted to the lower frame mounting ring then extends first through the lower sheave, and then through the upper sheave. 
     In one alternative exemplary configuration of the exercise apparatus according to the present invention the upper frame is movably connected to the lower frame. The lower frame has a lower beam, a first side beam and a second side beam. The first and second side beams extend from the lower beam on opposing narrow sides of the lower beam forming an open upper side between them. Along inner sides of the first and second side beams are slide tracks that form a restricted guide way. The upper frame is positioned in the slide tracks so that it can slide along the restricted guide way and through the open upper side of the lower frame. The restricted guide way also provides for fixedly positioning the upper frame at one or more positions. 
     In this exemplary configuration, where the upper frame is movably connected to the lower frame, the exercise apparatus may also include a first upper sprocket, a first lower sprocket, a roller chain and a control system. The first upper sprocket is positioned above the first lower sprocket in or by a first one of the slide tracks and the roller chain mounted on the first upper sprocket and the first lower sprocket traverses a portion or the entire first one of the slide tracks. The upper frame has teeth that mesh with the roller chain so that the upper frame may move in tandem with the roller chain. The control system connects to the first upper sprocket and/or the first lower sprocket and drives or controls the sprockets. The control system may include a user controllable motor, a manual crank or other similar mechanism to drive the sprockets and/or a brake, a flywheel or other similar mechanism to restrict sprocket rotation. 
     Additionally, in this exemplary configuration of the exercise apparatus with the roller chain, the exercise apparatus may also include a second upper sprocket mounted above a second lower sprocket in or by a second one of the slide tracks. The roller chain may be mounted on the second upper sprocket and the second lower sprocket as well in such manner that the roller chain traverses the second one of the slide tracks in the same direction or a second roller chain may be mounted in the second one of the slide tracks. Although, preferable, in the configurations with the roller chain, the exercise apparatus does not require the slide tracks to form a restricted guide way. 
     Alternatively, in this exemplary configuration where the upper frame is movably connected to the lower frame, the exercise apparatus may also include a detent and a detent control. A first one of the slide tracks on the lower frame has one or more latching notches. The detent is located on the upper frame so that it can extend into the one or more latching notches to lock the upper frame into one of the one or more positions. The detent control, allows for user control over the extension and retraction of the detent. The exercise apparatus may also have one or more latching notches on a second one of the slide tracks on the lower frame, preferably corresponding to the latching notches on the first one of the sliding tracks. A corresponding second detent that can extend into the one or more latching notches on the second one of the slide tracks is provided on the upper frame along with a second detent control that controls the extension and retraction of the second detent. 
     In another exemplary embodiment of an exercise apparatus according to the present invention, the exercise apparatus includes a lower frame and an upper frame. The lower frame has a lower beam with a first side beam and a second side beam that are provided on opposing narrow sides of the lower beam. The first and second side beams are configured as telescoping beams with nested beam portions that can extend and retract. The upper frame is mounted on the side beams in such manner that the upper frame may be raised and lowered by the first and second side beams extending and retracting. The exercise apparatus may further include a hydraulic pump fluidly connected to one or both of the side beams to control the raising and lowering of the upper frame and a switch to control the hydraulic pump. 
     In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the exercise apparatus includes a lower frame and a rod for a bed with a bed frame and a headboard positioned by a head of the bed frame. The lower frame is positioned between the bed frame and the headboard. The rod connects to the lower frame in such manner that at least a portion of the rod may be disposed above an upper side of the lower frame. 
     In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the exercise apparatus includes a bed frame, a headboard, a lower frame and an upper frame. The lower frame is disposed between the bed frame and headboard. The lower frame may be connected to the bed frame and headboard. The upper frame is connected to the lower frame and has exercise equipment mounting connections. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1( a )  is a perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of an upper and lower frame of a bed exercise apparatus according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 1( b )  is a cross sectional view along line  1 ( b )- 1 ( b )′ of the first exemplary embodiment of an exercise apparatus according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 1( c )  is a cross sectional view along line  1 ( c )- 1 ( c )′ of the first exemplary embodiment of an exercise apparatus according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 1( d )  is a top view of an exemplary rod aperture for an exemplary adjustable height rod for a bed exercise apparatus according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 1( e )  is a perspective view of the exemplary adjustable height rod for a bed exercise apparatus according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of a modified configuration of the first exemplary embodiment of the bed exercise apparatus with a headboard, bed frame, box spring and mattress according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 3( a )  is a side view of the first exemplary embodiment of the bed exercise apparatus connected to the bed frame and headboard with exemplary equipment attachments and with the box spring and mattress according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 3( b )  is a side view of the first exemplary embodiment of the bed exercise apparatus connected to the bed frame and headboard with exemplary equipment attachments and with the box spring and mattress according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 3( c )  is a side view of the first exemplary embodiment of the bed exercise apparatus connected to the bed frame and headboard with exemplary equipment attachments and with the box spring and mattress according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 3( d )  is a side view of the first exemplary embodiment of the bed exercise apparatus connected to the bed frame and headboard with exemplary equipment attachments and with the box spring, mattress and a mattress extender in a closed position according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 3( e )  is a side view of the first exemplary embodiment of the bed exercise apparatus connected to the bed frame and headboard with exemplary equipment attachments and with the box spring, mattress and the mattress extender in an open position according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the modified configuration of the first exemplary embodiment of the bed exercise apparatus according to the present invention connected to the bed frame and headboard; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment of the bed exercise apparatus according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a third exemplary embodiment of the bed exercise apparatus according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 7( a )  is a first wide side view of a fourth exemplary embodiment of the bed exercise apparatus according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 7( b )  is a first narrow side view of a fourth exemplary embodiment of the bed exercise apparatus according, to the present invention; 
         FIG. 8( a )  is a front wide side view of a fifth exemplary embodiment of the bed exercise apparatus according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 8( b )  is a top view of the fifth exemplary embodiment of the bed exercise apparatus according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 8( c )  is a front wide side view of a first alternative configuration for the fifth exemplary embodiment of the bed exercise apparatus according to the present invention with a roller chain for controlling extension and retraction of an upper frame; 
         FIG. 8( d )  is a front wide side view of a second alternative configuration for the fifth exemplary embodiment of the bed exercise apparatus according to the present invention with spring biased detents that mate with latches for controlling extension and retraction of the upper frame with the upper frame retracted; 
         FIG. 8( e )  is a front wide side view of the second alternative configuration for the fifth exemplary embodiment of the bed exercise apparatus according to the present invention with spring biased detents that mate with latches for controlling extension and retraction of the upper frame with the upper frame extended; 
         FIG. 9( a )  is a front wide side view of a sixth exemplary embodiment of the bed exercise apparatus according to the present invention with an upper frame in an extended position; and 
         FIG. 9( b )  is a front wide side view of a sixth exemplary embodiment of a bed exercise apparatus according to the present invention in a retracted position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIGS. 1-4  illustrate a first exemplary embodiment of a bed exercise apparatus  1  according to the present invention.  FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an upper frame  2  that is removably connected to a lower frame  3 . with a lower side of the upper frame  2  braced flush against an upper side of the lower frame  3 . The upper and tower frames  2 ,  3 , are configured in a rectangular annular shape formed of hollow steel tubing, in which the hollow steel tubing has a rectangular cross-sectional form as may be seen in  FIGS. 1( b ) and 1( c ) . Alternatively, instead of steel tubing the upper and lower frames  2 , 3  may be constructed of material having a flat, U-shaped, or L-shaped profile or any other shape and may be made of other materials such as wood, plastic, other metals or any other material that can bear the load that will be placed upon it. 
     The upper frame  2  has several mounting bars  4  that extend from an upper crossbeam  5  of the upper frame  2  to a lower crossbeam  6  of the upper frame  2  to allow primarily for mounting of exercise equipment such as bands, ropes, and similar exercise devices. In addition, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 3 ( b ), the lower frame  3  may have lower frame mounting rings  12 B to allow for mourning of bands, ropes, and similar exercise devices as well. The lower frame mounting rings  12 B are provided on a lower surface of a lower crossbeam  11  of the lower frame  3 . However, lower frame mounting rings may also be positioned at other positions on the lower frame  3 . Other more elaborate pieces of exercise equipment, such as pedaling devices, may also be configured to mount on the mounting bars  4  or other parts of the bed exercise apparatus  1 . Conversely, the mounting bars  4  or other parts of the bed exercise apparatus  1  may be configured for attachment of the more elaborate pieces of exercise equipment. The mounting bars  4 , lower frame mounting rings  12 B as well as other mounting rings that attach to the upper or lower frame  2 , 3  may be screwed, hooked clamped, welded glued or attached by other methods known in the art. 
     Along an upper surface of the upper crossbeam  5  are a plurality of rod apertures  5 U. As best illustrated in  FIG. 1( c ) , corresponding to rod apertures  5 U are a set of rod apertures  5 L on the lower surface of the upper crossbeam  5  that in turn correspond to a plurality of rod apertures  6 U on the upper surface of the lower crossbeam  6  and rod apertures  6 L on the lower surface of the lower crossbeam  6 . On the upper and lower surfaces of an upper crossbeam  10  of the lower frame  3  are rod apertures  10 U and  10 L, respectively, that correspond to the rod apertures  6 U and  6 L. In addition, on the upper surface of the lower crossbeam  11  of the lower frame  3  are rod apertures  11 U that correspond with the rod apertures  10 U and  10 L. In this first exemplary embodiment, there are no rod apertures on the lower surface of the lower crossbeam  11  of the lower frame  3 . But alternatively, such rod apertures may also be provided. Each of the corresponding sets of rod apertures  5 U,  5 L,  6 U,  6 L,  10 U,  10 L,  11 U are aligned so as to permit rods  9  to be mounted to the bed exercise apparatus  1  by extending them through the rod apertures  5 U,  5 L,  6 U,  6 L,  10 U,  10 L,  11 U. Alternatively, the rod  9  may extend only through the upper frame  2  apertures  5 U,  5 L,  6 U and the rod apertures  6 L,  10 U,  10 L and  11 U may not be provided. As another alternative, the rod  9  may be mounted in the lower frame  3  only with the upper frame  2  removed. At the top of the rods  9  are mounting rings  12  to allow for mounting of exercise equipment such as bands, ropes, and similar exercise devices. As with the mounting bars  4  discussed above, other more elaborate pieces of exercise equipment may also be configured to mount on the rods  9  or other parts of the bed exercise apparatus  1 . 
     In one alternative embodiment, the apertures  5 U,  5 L,  6 U,  6 L,  10 U,  10 L,  11 U may be configured in an irregular shape such as an irregularly shaped aperture  5 I illustrated in  FIG. 1( d ) . With the irregularly shaped aperture  5 I, an adjustable height rod  9 I, illustrated in  FIG. 1( e ) , may be used. The adjustable height rod  9 I has protrusions  9 P to allow for adjusting the height. When inserting and moving the adjustable height rod  9 I vertically, the protrusions  9 P on the adjustable height rod  9 I must align with the shape of the irregularly shaped aperture  5 I. Once the adjustable height rod  9 I is at the desired height the adjustable height rod  9 I may be rotated and the protrusions  9 P may rest in indentations  5 J immediately adjacent to the irregularly shaped aperture  5 I. An adjustable height rod may also be configured in other manners known in the art to provide such functionality. 
     On the lower frame  3 , are apertures  13  that extend from a first wide side  14  to an opposing wide side (not shown) to allow for the lower frame to be securely mounted to a bed frame  15  and to a headboard  16  with bolts  17 , as may be seen in  FIG. 2 . Alternatively, clamps may be employed to mount the lower frame  3  to the bed frame  15  The lower frame  3  may also have a bracing bar  17 A that extends from the first wide side  14  of the lower frame  3  so as to attach to a middle cross beam  15 A of the bed frame  15 , as may be seen in  FIG. 4 . Alternatively, the apertures  13  may be provided on the upper frame  12  and the upper frame  12  may be connected to the bed frame  15  and the headboard  16  without use of the lower frame  13 , or upper and lower frames  12  and  13  may be one integral piece so that the upper frame  12  cannot be disconnected from the lower frame  13 . Similarly, in another alternative embodiment, the lower frame  3  may be provided as an integral part of the bed frame  15  thereby obviating the need for the apertures  13 . In such an embodiment, the upper and lower frames  12  and  13  may or may not also be one integral piece. Alternatively, in certain instances it may be practical to wedge the bed exercise apparatus  1  in place between the bed frame  15  and the headboard  16  without using fasteners through apertures  13 . As another alternative, the bed exercise apparatus  1  may be mounted on a far side of the headboard  16  i.e. with the headboard  16  between the bed exercise apparatus  1  and the mattress  15 , where the headboard  16  has sufficient openings to accommodate exercise equipment to pass therethrough. In a further alternative, the bed exercise apparatus  1  may be mounted to the bed frame only without the use of the headboard  16 ; this is particularly practical where the bed exercise apparatus  1  is located next to a wall. 
     Furthermore, as seen in  FIG. 2 , the upper frame  2  has a mounting elbow  18  that is configured to fit into a mounting aperture  19  on the lower frame  3  such that when first mounting the upper frame  2  on the lower frame  3 , the lower surface of the upper frame  2  is perpendicular to the upper surface of the lower frame  3  and then the upper frame  2  is rotated so as to bring the lower surface of the lower crossbeam  6  of the upper frame  2  into flush contact with the upper surface of the upper crossbeam  10  of the lower frame  3 , and thereby securing the upper frame  2  and the lower frame  3  on a first narrow side  20 . On a second narrow side  21  is a mounting bracket  22  that is integral with the upper frame  2  that allows for securing the upper frame  2  to the lower frame  3  on the second side  21  with one or more bolts  23 . Alternatively, the upper frame  2  and lower frame  3  may be configured to fit together via a tongue and groove system allowing the upper frame  2  to slide in and out via an opening in the groove. The upper surface of the upper crossbeam  10  may include a padding material layer so as to prevent injury when the upper frame is disconnected and thereby exposes the upper surface of the upper crossbeam  10 . Similarly, other parts of the upper and lower frames  2 ,  3  may include padding on exposed surfaces. 
       FIG. 30 ) shows, a side view of the bed exercise apparatus  1  mounted with the bed frame  15  and the headboard  16 . As may be seen in  FIG. 3( a ) , the bed exercise apparatus  1  fits in well and does not interfere with box spring  25  and mattress  24 . If the bed frame  15 , headboard  16 , box spring  25  or mattress  24  are irregularly shaped, then the configuration of the lower and/or upper frames  3 ,  2  may be adjusted to conform to their shapes. The upper and lower frames  2 ,  3  may be configured to be adjustable in both width and height to fit various bed sizes and different types of bed frames. Attached to one of the mounting bars  4  (not shown in  FIG. 3( a ) ) is an exercise band  26 A and attached to one of the mounting rings  12  is a second exercise band  26 B. As illustrated in FIG.  3 ( a ), the lower frame  3  extends up to a top surface  27  of the mattress  24  and does not extend above that level. Alternatively, the lower frame  3  may extend above or terminate below the top surface  27  of the mattress  24 . Also, the bottom of the lower frame  3 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , extends to a lower surface  28  of the bed frame  15 . Alternatively, the lower frame  3  may either extend further down, even possibly to the floor, for additional support, or terminate above the lower surface  28  of the bed frame  15 . 
       FIG. 3( b )  shows another side view of the bed exercise apparatus  1  mounted with the bed frame  15  and the headboard  16  with alternative exemplary equipment attachments to the lower frame mounting rings  12 B. Attached to one of the lower frame mounting rings  12 B is an exercise band  26 D that extends to a bed frame distal end  15 B. This provides for the possibility of using the exercise apparatus  1  to perform leg or possibly upper body exercises while sitting at the bed frame distal end  15 B. A plurality of exercise bands, ropes or other exercise devices may be attached to lower frame mounting rings  12 B and extend to the bed frame distal end  15 B so as to allow for exercising two or more limbs at a time. 
     Additionally, as illustrated in  FIG. 3( b ) , an exercise band  26 C attached to one of the lower frame mounting rings  12  extends to a side pole  17 A that is mounted to a broad side  15 C of the bed frame  15  and/or the broad side  25 C of the box spring  25  and/or the broad side  24 C of the mattress  24 . On the side pole  17 A are sheaves  17 B,  17 C with sheave guards  17 D,  17 E that guide the exercise band  26 C from underneath the bed frame  15  up along sides of the bed frame  15 , box spring  25  and mattress  24 . The side pole  17 C may be height adjustable. A plurality of similar side poles may be positioned along the bed frame broad side  25 C or on the opposing bed frame broad side or both and also at the bed frame distal end  158  to perform exercises from almost any angle. 
       FIG. 3( c )  shows another side view of the bed exercise apparatus  1  mounted with the bed frame  15  and the headboard  16  with alternative exemplary equipment attachments. A rod  9 B is mounted to the exercise apparatus  1  by extending through the rod apertures  5 U,  5 L,  6 U,  6 L,  10 U,  10 L,  11 U in the upper and lower frames  2 ,  3 . The rod  9 B has one or more mounting hooks  12 C along a side of the rod  9 B with a top sheave  17 F with a sheave guard  17 H at the top of the rod  9 B and a bottom sheave  17 G with a sheave guard  17 I mounted lower on the rod  9 B. The lower guide sheave  17 I is preferably provided on the rod  9 B just above the point where the rod  9 B enters the rod aperture  5 U. An exercise band  26 E is hooked onto one of the mounting hooks  12 C and extends up riding over the top sheave  17 F and then extends downward and around the bottom sheave  17 G. The rod  98  may be configured as an adjustable height rod in the manner discussed above by the adjustable height rod  9 I or in another manner known in the art to provide such functionality. 
       FIGS. 3( d ) and 3( e )  show another side view of the bed exercise apparatus  1  mounted with the bed frame  15  and the headboard  16  with alternative exemplary equipment attachments. The configuration shown in  FIGS. 3( d ) and 3( e )  includes the rod  9 B discussed above with reference to  FIG. 3( c )  and the other associated elements discussed above. The configuration shown in  FIGS. 3( d ) and 3( e )  also includes a lower frame mounting ring  12 B with the exercise band  26 D that extends to the bed frame distal end  15 B. In addition,  FIGS. 3( d ) and 3( e )  show an exemplary mattress extender  31  in a closed and open position, respectively. A mattress extender base  32  is mounted to the bed frame  15  on or proximal to the bed frame distal end  15 B. Via a hinge  34  a mattress extender support surface  33  is rotatably connected to the mattress extender base  32 . The mattress support surface  33  may extend across an entire width of the mattress  24  or a portion thereof. The mattress extender may also include one or more folding braces  38 . The folding braces may be configured with a first link  35  that is rotatably connected via a hinge  37  to a second link  38 . The first link  35  is rotatably attached to the mattress extender support surface  33  and the second link  38  rotatably connects to the mattress extender base  32 . The mattress extender may, in an alternative embodiment, be configured to be fixed in an extended position with no hinge  34  and without folding braces  38 . The mattress extender  31  may also, alternatively, be configured to attach to a footboard or the mattress  24  or box spring  25 . The mattress extender  31  may be used to provide additional space for doing exercises while lying on the mattress  24  or it may be used for doing exercises in a sitting position. 
       FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of the bed exercise apparatus  1  mounted with the bed frame  15  and the headboard  16 . In this configuration, in addition to exercise bands  26 A and  26 B, there are several other exercise bands  26  attached both to the mounting bars  4  and the mounting rings  12 , As illustrated, a desk  30  may also be mounted onto the bed exercise apparatus  1 . As shown in the exemplary embodiment, the desk  30  is rotatable so as to move it out of the way when not in use. The desk  30  may be removably mounted onto one of the rods  9  or may be integrally attached onto its own rod for mounting on the bed exercise apparatus  1 . Also, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , a lamp  29  may be mounted onto the bed exercise apparatus  1 . The lamp  29  may be removably mourned onto one of the rods  9  or may be integrally attached onto its own rod for mounting on the bed exercise apparatus  1 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment of a bed exercise apparatus  51  according to the present invention. The bed exercise apparatus  51  has a lower frame  53  and an upper frame  52  that is removably connected to the lower frame  53  in the same manner as bed exercise apparatus  1 . The upper frame  52  has a bisecting crossbeam  72  that bisects the upper frame  52  into an upper portion  70  and a lower portion  71 . The upper frame  52  has several mounting bars  54  that extend from an upper crossbeam  55  of the upper frame  52  to the bisecting crossbeam  72  of the upper frame  52 . Elongated exercise bands  76  are mounted to lower section rings  78  which are affixed to an upper surface of a lower crossbeam  56 . The elongated exercise bands  76  extend through a groove on lower sheaves  77 , which guide the elongated exercise bands  76  through a set of elongated exercise band guide apertures  60  in the bisecting crossbeam  72  and upper crossbeam  55 . The elongated exercise band guide apertures  60  allow the elongated exercise bands  76  to extend through the bisecting crossbeam  72  and upper crossbeam  55  to an upper surface  55 U of the upper crossbeam  55 . The elongated exercise bands  76  then extend through a groove on upper sheaves  79  which guide the elongated exercise bands  76  toward a mattress on a bed frame to which the exercise apparatus  51  is connected on a first wide side  64 . On the lower frame  53 , are apertures  63  that extend from the first wide side  64  to an opposing wide side (not shown) to allow for the lower frame  53  to be securely mounted to a bed frame and to a headboard with bolts similar to the manner in which exercise apparatus  1  is connected to the bed frame  15  and headboard  16  as may be seen in  FIG. 2 . Alternatively, the apertures  63  may be provided on the upper frame  52  and the upper frame  52  may be connected to the bed frame and the headboard without use of the lower frame  53 , or upper and lower frames  52  and  53  may be one integral piece so that the upper frame  52  cannot be disconnected from the lower frame  53 . In addition, similar to the bed exercise apparatus  1 , the bed exercise apparatus  51  may include rods similar to the rods  9  and rod apertures similar to the rod apertures  5 U,  5 L,  6 U,  6 L,  10 U,  10 L,  11 U, in exercise apparatus  1 . The rod apertures may allow such rods in the bed exercise apparatus  51  to extend alternatively through both the upper frame  52  and the lower frame  53  or only through the entire upper frame  52 , or only through the upper portion  70  of the upper frame  52 . 
       FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of a third exemplary embodiment of a bed exercise apparatus  81  according to the present invention. The bed exercise apparatus  81  has a lower frame  83  and an upper frame  82  that is removably connected to the lower frame  83  in the same manner as bed exercise apparatus  1 . On an upper surface  85  of the upper frame  82  are mounting rings  84 . Alternatively, in place of the mounting rings  84  may be any other connecting structure to allow for fixedly connecting exercise equipment to the exercise apparatus such as the exemplary configurations disclosed herein. Similarly, the configuration of mounting rings directly mounted onto and proximate to an upper surface of an upper frame may be used in conjunction with other embodiments such as the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein. The upper frame  82  has a solid rectangular configuration as opposed to the annular configuration of upper frames in the previous exemplary embodiments of the exercise apparatus according to the present invention. The frame  82  may, alternatively, be configured with an annular upper frame configuration and similarly other exemplary embodiments of the exercise apparatus may be configured with an upper frame with a solid rectangular configuration instead of providing mounting bars. 
     On the lower frame  83 , are apertures  86  that extend from a first wide side  87  to an opposing wide side (not shown) to allow for the lower frame  53  to be securely mounted to a bed frame and to a headboard with bolts similar to the manner in which bed exercise apparatus  1  is connected to the bed frame  15  and headboard  16 , as may be seen in  FIG. 2 . Alternatively, the apertures  86  may be provided on the upper frame  82  and the upper frame  82  may be connected to the bed frame and the headboard without use of the lower frame  83 , or upper and lower frames  82  and  83  may be one integral piece so that the upper frame  82  cannot be disconnected from the lower frame  83 . 
       FIGS. 7( a ) and 7( b )  show a first wide side view and a first narrow side view, respectively, of a fourth exemplary embodiment of a bed exercise apparatus  91  according to the present invention. The bed exercise apparatus  91  has a lower frame  93  and an upper frame  92  that is removably connected to the lower frame  93  in the same manner as bed exercise apparatus  1 . On an upper surface  95  of the upper frame  92  are hinges  94 . Rotatably mounted on the hinges  94  are rotatable rods  96 . On the ends of the rotatable rods  96  that are distal to the hinges  94  are mounting rings  97 . Alternatively, in place of the mounting rings  97  can be any other connecting structure to allow for fixedly connecting exercise equipment to the exercise apparatus. The hinges  94  may be detent hinges or friction hinges or any other hinge that allows rotating the rotatable rods  96  into multiple positions so that the mounting rings  97  may be positioned at various heights. Furthermore, the rotatable rods  96  may be comprised of two or more nested rod portions  96 A so as to be capable of telescoping. 
     On the lower frame  93 , are apertures  98  that extend from a first wide side  99  to an opposing wide side (not shown) to allow for the lower frame to be securely mounted to a bed frame and to a headboard with bolts similar to the manner in which bed exercise apparatus  1  is connected to the bed frame  15  and headboard  16  as may be seen in  FIG. 2 . Alternatively, the apertures  98  may be provided on the upper frame  92  and the upper frame  92  may be connected to the bed frame and the headboard without use of the lower frame  93 , or upper and lower frames  92  and  93  may be one integral piece so that the upper frame  92  cannot be disconnected from the lower frame  93 . In addition, similar to the bed exercise apparatus  1 , the bed exercise apparatus  91  may include mounting bars similar to the mounting bars  4 , rods similar to the rods  9 , and rod apertures similar to the rod apertures  5 U,  5 L,  6 U,  6 L,  10 U,  10 L,  11 U, as well as apertures not shown in the Figures. The rod apertures may allow such rods in the bed exercise apparatus  91  to extend alternatively through both the upper frame  92  and the lower frame  93  or only through the entire upper frame  92 . 
       FIGS. 8( a ) and 8( b )  show a first wide side view and a top view, respectively, of a fifth exemplary embodiment of a bed exercise apparatus  111  according to the present invention. The bed exercise apparatus  111  has a lower frame  113  that has a lower crossbeam  113   a , side beams  113   b ,  113   c  and an open upper side  113   d  that extends between the upper ends of the side beams  113   b ,  113   c , the upper ends being distal to the lower crossbeam  113   a . Extending along a portion, or the entire length of inner sides of the side beams  113   b ,  113   c  are slide tracks  114 . An upper frame  112  with several mounting bars  115  is slidably positioned on the slide tracks  114  so that the upper frame  112  may slide through the open upper side  113   d . Alternatively, the side beams  113   b ,  113   c  may extend very high and, therefore, the upper side  113   d  of the lower frame does not need to be open and the upper frame  112  simply slides within the lower frame  113 . The upper frame  112  and the slide tracks  114  are configured to allow the upper frame to stay fixedly positioned at one or more positions. This may be accomplished by having a high friction interface between the slide tracks  114  and the upper frame  112 . On the lower frame  113 , are apertures  113   e  that extend from a first wide side  113   f  to an opposing wide side (not shown) to allow for the lower frame to be securely mourned to abed frame and to a headboard with bolts similar to the manner in which bed exercise apparatus  1  is connected to the bed frame  15  and headboard  16  as may be seen in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 8( c )  shows a front wide side view of an alternate exemplary configuration of the bed exercise apparatus  111  according to the present invention. In this configuration, a roller chain  119  mourned on a pair of sprockets  118  is provided in both of the slide tracks  114 . Teeth  120  on the upper frame mesh with the roller chain  119 , allowing the upper frame  112  to move tip and down as the roller chain  119  rides on the sprockets  118 . One or more of the sprockets  118  may be connected to a control system  121 , which may be any mechanical or electromechanical device that can drive or control the movement of the sprockets. The control system  121  may be comprised of either a motor with a switch control or a hand crank to drive the sprockets  118  and thereby the roller chain  119  to extend and retract the upper frame  112 . Alternatively, the control system  121  may be employ of one or more inertial or frictional elements such as a brake and a flywheel that may be used to restrict movement of the sprockets  118  and roller chain  119  unless a certain amount of manual pressure is applied when extending or retracting the upper frame  112 . 
     In a further alternative, as illustrated in  FIGS. 8( d ) and 8( e )  the upper frame  112  may have spring biased detents  116   a  that can extend out from the upper frame  112  and latch with one or more latching notches  116  in the slide tracks  114  or the side beams  113   b ,  113   c . The spring biased detests  116   a  may be retracted from the latching notches  116  via mechanically connected detent controls  117 . In  FIG. 8( d )  the upper frame  112  is in a retracted position and the spring biased detents  116   a  are retracted and not latched in latching notches  116 . In this state, the upper frame  112  may be moved up or down. In  FIG. 8( e ) , the upper frame  112  is in an extended position and the spring biased detents  116   a  are extended and latched in latching notches  116 , locking the upper frame  112  in place. Although only one set of notches are shown, there may be several pairs of notches to lock the upper frame  112  in at various heights including at a fully retracted position. 
       FIGS. 9( a ) and 9( b )  show a front wide side view of a sixth exemplary embodiment of a bed exercise apparatus  121  according to the present invention in an extended and retracted position, respectively. The bed exercise apparatus  121  has a lower frame  123  that has a lower crossbeam  123   a  and side beams  123   b ,  123   c . The side beams  123   b ,  123   c  are configured as telescoping beams comprised of two or more nested beam portions  124  that are configured to allow the side beams  123   b ,  123   c  to extend and retract. An outermost nested beam portion  126  connected to the lower crossbeam  123   a  forms a base of each of the side beams  123   b ,  123   c . An upper frame  122  is fixedly connected to the innermost one of the nested side beam portion  124  so that the side beams  123   b ,  123   c  can raise and lower the upper frame  122  as the side beams  123   b ,  123   c  extend and retract. The side beams  123   b ,  123   c  may be configured as hydraulic cylinders. In this case, a hydraulic oil or air pump  127  connects to the side beams  123   b ,  123   c  and allows a user to conveniently raise and lower the upper frame  122  via a control switch  128  connected to the hydraulic pump  127 . The upper frame  122  is shown with mounting bars  125  for attaching various types of exercise equipment. For the bed exercise apparatus  121 , as with the alternative exemplary exercise apparatus embodiments  51 ,  81 ,  91 ,  111 , the upper frame  122  and, possibly the lower frame  123  may be configured with apertures to accommodate rods such as the rod  9  or the adjustable rod  9 I discussed above and the lower frame  123  may include lower frame mounting rings as discussed above. In addition, the bed exercise apparatus  121 , as with the alternative exemplary exercise apparatus embodiment  111 , may be configured to allow for the upper frame  122  to completely retract below a mattress top surface level and, thereby, hide the upper frame  122  when it is not in use. In addition, the bed exercise apparatus  121 , as with the alternative exemplary exercise apparatus embodiment  111 , may have along a top surface of the upper frame  122  a cushioning layer  129 . The bed exercise apparatus  121  may be configured so that when the upper frame  122  is completely retracted the cushioning layer is aligned with a top surface of a mattress. Similar cushioning layers may be provided on other exposed surfaces of the exercise apparatus  121  and on the exposed surfaces of the other exemplary exercise apparatus embodiments discussed herein. On the lower frame  123 , are apertures  123   d  that extend from a first wide side  123   e  to an opposing wide side (not shown) to allow for the lower frame to be securely mounted to a bed frame and to a headboard with bolts similar to the manner in which bed exercise apparatus  1  is connected to the bed frame  15  and headboard  16  as may be seen in  FIG. 2 . 
     The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary in nature, and therefore, the spirit and the scope of the invention are by no means restricted to what is described above or intended to represent every possible embodiment of the invention. For example, a bed frame is not limited to a frame but includes any structure that may be used to support a mattress. Moreover, the upper frame of the exercise apparatus may be configured in an upside down “U” shape, i.e. with no lower crossbeam. In addition, the bed exercise apparatus may be configured with more than one set of attachments so that more than one person can exercise at the same time. It should also be noted that the terms headboard and footboard are essentially interchangeable and structural limitations and variations discussed by one exemplary embodiment of the bed exercise apparatus may be applied to the other exemplary embodiments as well.