Patent Publication Number: US-4319747-A

Title: Convertible exercise bench and accessory apparatus

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to exercising apparatus and more particularly to improved multi-purpose or combination bench exercising apparatus wherein a variety of exercises can be performed on a single exercise bench. 
     Heretofore, multi-purpose bench exercise devices have been provided such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,098,502 and 3,625,511 which include single bench exercise devices which allow for different exercises to be performed on the device without the need for additional exercise machinery or tools. Other attempts to provide multi-purpose exercising devices have required that many individual exercise devices be utilized with the exercise bench and the attachment of the exercising devices has often required tools and has been so complicated as to make impossible the interchange of the devices during a limited time in which one desires to engage in an exercise program. 
     It is an important object of the present invention to provide multi-purpose body exercising apparatus which offers a wide range of different exercises and is operationally and economically suitable for in-home use. 
     Another important object of the present invention is to provide multi-purpose exercise apparatus having a basic exercise bench frame which may be rapidly and simply converted to a number of different exercise events by means of simplified and uniform accessory attachment means and uniquely designed accessory exercise equipment whereby a wide range of exercises may be entered into in a shortened time duration. 
     Yet another important object of the present invention is the provision of multi-purpose exercise apparatus which includes a convertible exercise bench frame having means for attaching a wide range of accessory exercise equipment in a manner which affords a structural connection of high integrity. 
     Another important object of the present invention is the provision of multi-purpose exercise apparatus which includes a convertible exercise bench having a number of different accessory exercise devices which may be uniformly attached in an integral manner assuring a safely balanced exercise bench for each different exercise event. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It has been found, according to the invention, that a convertible exercise bench which may be rapidly and simply converted between a number of different exercise events may be had by providing accessory attachment means in the form of tubular insert members carried adjacent opposing ends of the bench frame and horizontal tubular insert members spaced at various locations on the frame and by utilizing a number of uniquely designed accessory exercise devices which uniformly attach and interface with the various attachment means such that an exercise program consisting of many different exercise events may be entered into in a relatively short period of time which, particularly, is affordable and suitable for home use. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with other features thereof. 
     The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown and wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a convertible exercise bench and accessory attachment means constructed according to the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an exercise bench partially cut away having accessory attachment means and accessory bicycle exercising apparatus constructed according to the invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an exercise bench partially cut away having accessory attachment means and accessory butterfly exercise apparatus constructed according to the invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating an exercise bench having accessory attachment means and Roman chain exercise apparatus constructed according to the invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating an exercise bench partially cut away having attachment means and accessory lat bar exercise apparatus according to the invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an exercise bench partially cut away having attachment means and accessory squat exercise apparatus according to the invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating an exercise bench partially cut away having attachment means and accessory leg exercise apparatus according to the invention; 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating an exercise bench partially cut away having attachment means and accessory calf exercise apparatus constructed according to the invention; and 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating exercise bench apparatus having counter-balance weights attached thereto according to the present invention for balancing the bench when converted to certain exercises. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The drawings illustrate multi-purpose body exercising apparatus which includes a convertible longitudinal exercise bench A having a body supporting bench pad, and a ground engaging frame supporting the bench pad generally above the ground which includes first and second spaced opposed frame ends. Exercise accessory attachment means B is carried by the exercise bench facilitating the rapid interchange of a variety of accessory exercise apparatus and includes tubular attachment means carried adjacent the frame ends. A number of accessory exercise apparatus C is adapted for uniformly interchangeable and interlocking connection to the exercise bench frame by means of accessory attachment means B. In a particularly novel arrangement, accessory exercise apparatus C includes a pair of laterally spaced pivots and support means carrying the pivots adapted for connection to attachment means B whereby the pivots are carried in an elevated manner above the bench pad. A rotatable crank arm is carried by each pivot engagable by a portion of the body and weight support means connected to each crank arm is adapted for supporting a variety of exercise weights in a manner that rotation of the crank arms causes the weights to be raised and lowered. 
     Referring to the drawings in detail, the convertible exercise bench A is illustrated as including a first frame end 10 which includes a pair of vertical legs 10a and 10b and a second frame end 12 which includes vertical legs 12a and 12b. Longitudinal frame members 13a and 13b connect the vertical legs and may be made integral therewith in any suitable manner such as by welding. In a like manner, base feet 14 and 15 may be provided and welded to the respective frame legs for engaging the ground, supporting the bench in a rigid manner. A body supporting bench pad 16 is provided in the form of a two-piece section wherein one piece 16a is pivotable about a pivot 17 and may be adjusted in its inclination by means of adjusting bar 18, a support bracket 19, and pin 20 received in holes formed in the adjusting bar. The bench pad 16, of course, being padded for comfortably supporting the body of one exercising. 
     Accessory attachment means B includes a first pair of tubular sleeve members 21a and 21b carried adjacent the first end 10 of the bench frame and tubular sleeve members 22a and 22b which are provided by hollow vertical legs 12a and 12b. The accessory attachment means further includes horizontal tubular sleeves 24 carried across frame legs 10a and 10b, horizontal tubular member 25 carried across longitudinal frame members 13a and 13b, and horizontal tubular member 26 carried across frame legs 12a and 12b. Auxiliary vertical tubular members 27a and 27b are also provided for the purpose as will further be described herein. All of the various tubular sleeve members affixed to the bench frame may be fastened thereto in any suitable manner as by welding. Tubular members 24 and 26 provide horizontal attachment means for attaching weights which provide counter-balance for certain exercises. The tubular sleeve members so described, provide simplified yet highly reliable structural connection between the bench frame and various accessory exercise apparatus as will be hereinafter described. 
     Referring now to FIG. 2, accessory exercise apparatus C is illustrated in the form of a bicycle exercise device, designated generally as 28, which includes an outwardly extending bar 29. Connecting means for connecting the bar 29 to the accessory attachment means 21a and 21b includes a transverse supporting bar 30 and integral depending leg inserts 31a and 31b which are received and interlocked within the tubular members 21a and 21b. Adjacent the remote end of the bar 29 is a crank means 32 rotatably connected to the bar by means of a bearing block 33 wherein the crank 32 includes offset pedal members 34a and 34b adapted for being engaged with the extremeties of the body for exercise by rotation of the crank member. 
     Referring now to FIG. 3, the details of the butterfly device, generally referred to as 35, will be described. The device includes generally horizontal pivots 36a and 36b which are laterally spaced by means of a support 37. The pivots may be connected to the accessory attachment means by insertion of vertical insert legs 37a and 37b into the tubular members 21a and 21b, respectively. Rotatable crank arms 38a and 38b  carried about respective pivots 36a and 36b. The pivots may be integral with the support bar 37 and the crank arms may rotate freely on the pivots. The crank arms further include cushion portions 39a and 39b engageable by the arms of the exerciser. Weight support means connected to each crank arm and adapted for supporting a variety of exercise weights is provided by arcuate members 40a and 40b connected by means of cable members 41 to weight supports 42a and 42b. The arcuate members are integral with the ends of crank arms 40 and can be made as one piece or welded. The weight supports accommodate placement of variable size exercise weights 43a and 43b and include connecting spindles 44a and 44b which are connected to the cable in such a manner that as the crank arms rotate the cables follow the arcuate members in a manner that the weights are raised and lowered. 
     Accessory exercise apparatus C illustrated in FIG. 4 includes a Roman chair device, designated generally as 48, which includes an upstanding body support 49 for supporting a first portion of a body and means for connecting the body support 49 to the accessory attachment means in an elevated position relative to the bench pad 16. The connecting means includes spaced vertical legs 50a and 50b receivable for interlocking engagement in tubular members 21a and 21b. Cross member 51 integral with legs 50a and 50b affords structural integrity and outwardly extending members 51a and 51b affords some support for the person while getting off and on the chair device. Body engaging means 52 is carried by the exercise bench in an elevated manner above bench pad 16 and means connecting the body engaging means 52 to an attachment means B at a second point, provided by tubular member 25, includes a U-shaped bracket 53 connected to body engaging member 52 by means of vertical rod 54. A rod 55 attaches the bracket to the exercise bench when inserted through tubular member 25 and holes formed in downwardly depending legs 53a and 53b of the mounting bracket. The body engaging means may be provided in the form of a cushioned roll and is spaced longitudinally from the upstanding body support 49 for engaging a second portion of the body while the body is generally positioned above the bench pad at spaced lengthwise positions for exercise such as during situps or for body exercise in the reverse position as shown in FIG. 4. 
     Counter-balancing weights 56 are carried on a standard weight bar 58 slidably received in the hollow of horizontal tubular attachment member 26 serving to balance and stabilize the bench when converted for certain exercises (FIG. 9), such as the Roman chair exercise. The same may be attached to horizontal tube 24 when required to stabilize the bench when exercises are undertaken at bench end 12. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates accessory exercise apparatus C in the form of a lat bar device designated generally as 60. The device includes an elongated bar 61 and connection means for connecting the bar to the accessory attachment means allowing the bar to be rotated in a vertical plane. The connection means includes a U-shaped mounting bracket rod 62 and cylindrical bearing block 64 which is integral with the bar 51. The depending legs 62a and 62b of the mounting rod bracket are received in tubular members 27a and 27b. The cylindrical bearing block 64, of course, allows rotation about the horizontal member of the mounting bracket rod. Weight support means 65 provided at the remote end of the elongated bar 61 includes integral collar 65a and a slidable locking collar 66 which may be removed so that exercise weights may be slid over the end of the bar 61 and locked in place. A body engagement means is provided in the form of a rod 67 between connection means 62 and weight support means 65 for engagement with the hands of the exerciser when in a bent position whereupon the lat bar 61 is raised to the chest of the exerciser and then lowered to the floor as the bar pivots about the horizontal pivot 62. 
     A pair of vertical standards 68a and 68b provide a weight rack when inserted in tubular attachment membes 22a and 22b, respectively. A squat bar rack may be advantageously connected with the exercise bench as illustrated in FIG. 6 by securing a pair of spaced standards 70a and 70b to the weight rack legs 68a and 68b using suitable connecting frame means. The connecting frame includes upper and lower U-shaped frame arms 71 and 72 made integral with the standards 70a and 70b such as by welding. Upper frame 71 may be attached to the weight rack legs 68a and 68b by means of any suitable fastening means such as wingnuts 73 inserted through holes therein. Lower U-shaped frame 72 is secured to the attachment means B by means of insert legs 72a and 72b inserted in the tubular attachment members 27a and 27b. Adjustable weight supporting members 74a and 74b may then be utilized to support the weights for squatting exercises as desired. 
     In this manner, both ends of the exercise bench may be converted to different exercise devices. That is, the lat bar device 60 or the squat rack may be utilized by attachment to the accessory attachment means B at the second end of the bench frame while the other accessory exercise devices heretofore described may be attached to the first frame end. 
     FIG. 7 illustrates a leg exercise device wherein a pair of spaced frame legs 81a and 81b are carried at an angle, preferably ninety degrees to a second pair of spaced frame legs 82a and 82b which pivot about a pivot 83 carried by connecting support member 84 on which is carried a pair of depending legs 84a and 84b which insert in the tubular attachment members 21a and 21b. Adjacent the free ends of legs 82a and 82b is a weight support member 85 which accommodates the placement of a variety of exercise weights. Transverse bars 86 and 87 extend between legs 81 and 82 for engagement with the body, in particular cushioned bar 87 is engaged by the feet for exercising the legs as illustrated. 
     Further accessory exercise apparatus C as illustrated in FIG. 8 includes a calf exercise device, designated as 90, which includes a pair of upstanding supports 90a and 90b which are adapted for connection to the accessory attachment means B by inserting the free ends thereof into the tubular members 22a and 22b, respectively. A pair of spaced cantilevered arms 91a and 91b are pivotably connected to the upstanding supports 90a and 90b by means of a pivot rod 92 and a cylindrical bearing block 93 integral with the cantilevered arms. The free ends of the cantilevered arms may be provided with cushioned material at 94 for engaging against ones body for calf exercise. A lower pivotable weight support means 95 is provided for accommodating a variety of exercise weights and is connected to accessory attachment means B below the cantilevered arms. Means for connecting the weight support means 95 to the exercise bench is provided by a T-shaped mounting bracket including bar 96, U-shaped mounting bracket rod 97, and bearing 98 all of which support the weight support 95 whereby the bearing 98 rotates on the rod 97. 
     The cantilevered arms are connected to the support means 95 by means of a chain 99 or cable such that movement of the cantilevered arms by engagement with the body causes the weight to be raised and lowered. A calf platform 100 may be provided on which the exerciser stands and may be connected to the bench frame by means of a frame 101 which is connected to the base foot 15 of the frame by means of interlocking screws 102 which are received in slots 103. 
     Thus, it can be seen that a highly advantageous construction can be had for multi-purpose exercise apparatus according to the invention wherein a convertible exercise bench may be readily converted to a number of different exercise devices in a fast and reliable manner and wherein accessory exercise apparatus attached is done so in a uniform manner without tools in a manner that a balanced exercise bench results. 
     The integral construction heretofore described may be made in any suitable manner, preferably by welding except where otherwise specified. 
     While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.