Patent Publication Number: US-10315064-B2

Title: Block exercise system and attachments

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/214,398, filed Sep. 4, 2015, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     N/A 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to a block exercise system having a plurality of attachments for various exercises that can be implemented on the system. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     There are many exercise systems that are advertised for full workouts. However, many of these systems are difficult to use and/or modify for different exercises. Additionally, such systems are limited in the number of different exercises that can be performed. 
     The present invention provides an improved exercise system that is easy to set up or modify and can be used to perform a variety of exercises for a full workout. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a block exercise system having a plurality of attachments for enabling a user to utilize the system for a variety of different exercises. The block is provided with a number of locations for removably connecting the attachments. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the invention an exercising system is provided. The exercise system comprises a generally rectangular block having a top wall, a bottom wall, a first side wall and an opposing second side wall, a first end wall and an opposing second end wall. A plurality of attachment locations (such as circular openings) are positioned on the block. The block includes at least a first handle. 
     The system includes a plurality of items that can be removably attached to the block. This includes one or more poles. A sled attachment can be connected to the bottom wall. 
     Handles and straps can also be removably connected to the block system. A cylindrical locking mechanism can be used to removably connect the various items. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a block exercising system for multiple exercise activities is provided. The block exercising system comprises a main body in the form of a rectangular box having a bottom wall, a top wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, a first end wall and a second end wall. A first handle forming a portion of a top edge of the first side wall and a first edge of the top wall is provided as well as a second handle forming a portion of a top edge of the second side wall and a second edge of the top wall. The box includes at least a first aperture for receiving an attachment. 
     Each of the first and second side walls and first and second end walls can be formed from polyethylene or other similar materials. Additionally, the box can be filled with an expandable foam, such as a polystyrene foam. 
     In addition to the first and second handles, the box can include a third handle forming a portion of a top edge of the first end wall and a third edge of the top wall, and a fourth handle forming a portion of a top edge of the second end wall and a fourth edge of the top wall. 
     The first aperture can be positioned on the top wall. Additionally, the box can include a second aperture on another wall, such as the first side wall, or a plurality of additional apertures for attachments on any of the walls. 
     The block exercising system can include a variety of attachments secured to the box. For example, the system can include one or more pole attachments secured in one of the apertures on the box, a sled attachment connected to the bottom wall, and/or one or more straps connected to one or more walls of the box. 
     Further aspects of the invention are disclosed in the Figures, and are described herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a block exercise system in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a block exercise system with an additional handle extending from a side of the system; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a block exercise system with two poles connected to a top of the system; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a block exercise system with a single stabilization pole extending from a top of the system; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a block exercise system configured as a push sled; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a block exercise system with a handle extending from a top of the system; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a first block exercise system stacked on a second block exercise system; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a block exercise system with elastic bands extending from a top of the system; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a first block exercise system connected to a second block exercise system by a pole; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a block exercise system with a first stabilization adapter and a second stabilization adapter; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a block exercise system with a center weight pole adapter; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a block exercise system with a side weight adapter; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a block exercise system with a power harness connected to one end; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of an attachment mechanism for use in securing various attachments to the block exercise system of  FIG. 1 ; and, 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a block exercise system of  FIG. 5  configured as a push sled with additional weights. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings, and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated. 
     The present invention is directed to a block exercise system (sometimes referred to herein as an “exercise block” or simply “block”)  10  that can be utilized for a variety of exercises. The exercise block  10  is configured to receive numerous attachments to adapt the block  10  for certain exercises. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the exercise block  10  is generally a rectangular block having a top surface or wall  12 , side walls  14 , end walls  16  and a bottom wall. The block  10  also includes four integrally formed handles  18  and circular openings  20  at various attachment locations on the block  10 . In an alternative embodiment, one or more of the handles  18  can be removably connected to the block  10 . The openings are used to removably attach other exercise items to the block. The number of handles  18  and/or openings  20  can be increased or decreased as desired. Moreover, each can be located at different positions on the block  10 . While the openings are shown as cylindrical, other shapes can be utilized. Moreover, the block can be provided with other types of attachment structure (e.g., structure that extends outward from the block  10  as opposed to openings  20 ). 
     The exercise block  10  is preferably formed from foam and/or hard plastic. Other similar or suitable materials can also be used. In one embodiment, the block  10  is in the form of a rectangular plastic box with multiple handles and holes for attachments. The box can be 12″×16″×20″ and is manufactured through a rotomold process using high density polyethylene plastic and filled with an expandable polystyrene foam. The combination of materials give the block  10  superior strength and rigidity while allowing it to be also be lightweight (e.g., under 10 lbs.). 
     The walls can be smooth or have a textured surface. Additionally, the handles can include materials (e.g., rubber) to enhance gripping the block  10 , and/or can be ergonomically configured to provide a better grip (e.g., molded-in finger grooves). 
     The exercise block  10  shown in  FIG. 1  includes a central top portion  22  that extends to the corners of the top wall  12 . The top portion  22  can be molded into the remainder of the block  10 . Each corner of the top surface  12  is provided with an opening  20 . A handle  18  is formed along the edges of the top wall  12  (as well as the top portion of the side walls  14  and end walls  16 ). A centrally positioned opening  20  is shown on the side wall  14  and end wall  16  facing the viewer. The other side wall or end wall can have a similar configuration or could include additional openings (see, e.g., the end wall in  FIGS. 2 or 3  having two openings) or no openings. 
     The exercise block  10  can be used for a variety of exercises without any modification or attachments. For example, the block  10  can be used for step aerobics or other similar exercises. The block  10  can be placed on a side wall  14  or end wall  16  to adjust the height for such exercises. Additionally, the handles can be utilized for various lifting and/or curling exercises. Exercise blocks  10  of varying sizes and weights can be manufactured to accommodate individuals of various sizes and/or abilities. 
     A variety of other exercises can be implemented with the exercise block  10  by utilizing various attachments to the system.  FIGS. 2-13 and 15  show a variety of different attachments. 
       FIG. 2  shows a handle  24  extending outward from a side wall  14  of the system.  FIGS. 3 and 4  show poles  26  extending upward from the top wall  12  of the block  10 . As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 15 , the block  10  with two poles  26  can be mounted on a sled  28  and be used as a push sled. 
     As is evident in  FIG. 15 , extra weights  48  can be loaded on a center post  50  connected to the sled to increase the difficulty. In this embodiment the block  10  includes a centrally located opening on the top wall  12 . 
       FIG. 6  shows a handle  30  extending upward from the top wall  12 . This enables one to use the system as a bell weight. Similar to the block  10  in  FIG. 15 , the block  10  in  FIG. 6  includes a centrally located opening on the top wall  12  (also see  FIG. 7 ). 
       FIG. 7  shows two exercise blocks  10  stacked one on top of the other. The bottom block  10  is upside down. However, the blocks can stack in other orientations as well (e.g., the bottom shelf can be upright rather than upside down). 
       FIG. 8  shows the block  10  with two elastic bands  32  with handles  34  connected to the top wall  12 . These can be used for various arm and leg exercises. 
       FIG. 9  shows a first exercise block  10  connected to a second exercise block  10  by a pole  36 . 
       FIG. 10  shows an exercise block with two stabilization adapters  38 . 
       FIG. 11  shows the exercise block with a single pole  26  in the center of the top wall  12 . One or more weights can be stacked on the pole  26 . 
       FIG. 12  shows a shortened pole  40  extending outward from the side wall  14 , and a spring clip  42 . Weights can be placed on the pole  40  and secured by the spring clip  42 . 
       FIG. 13  shows an exercise block  10  with a power harness  44  connected to an end of the block  10 . 
     Each of the attachments shown can include a locking mechanism  46  for connecting the attachment to an opening  20  of the exercise block  10 . One such locking mechanism  46  is shown in  FIG. 14 . 
     In one embodiment, the block  10  can be hollow or include an interior compartment for carrying some or all of the attachment items. A door, or hingeably connected wall panel, can be provided for accessing the compartment. In a further alternative embodiment, recessed spaces can be provided in one or more of the walls (e.g., on the bottom wall) for receiving and holding some or all of the attachment items. In a further embodiment, items such as the straps with handles can be retractably mounted in the block. 
     Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be protected otherwise than as specifically described.