Patent Publication Number: US-11389692-B2

Title: Climbing exercise apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to and the benefit of the filing dates of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/917,028, filed Nov. 16, 2018, and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/919,562, filed Mar. 18, 2019, which applications are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to fitness equipment, more particularly to climbing exercise apparatus where the exercise paths are substantially vertical and parallel to each other. 
     Climbing exercise machines permit a user to simulate climbing activities where two coordinated body movements are generally possible. A first motion may be referred to as homolateral movement where an asymmetrical movement of the upper limb and the lower limb on the same side occurs, and a second motion referred to as contralateral movement where diagonal movement of an upper limb with the opposite lower limb occurs. The first motion of homolateral movement or straight climbing is more closely correlated with martial arts where martial arts typically employ homolateral movements, whereas the second motion of asymmetrical or cross climbing action is more closely correlated with oppositional exercises such as swimming and walking. In homolateral motion the body halves do not cooperate but move separately, and in contralateral motion both sides of the brain function at the same time in a coordinated manner. 
     SUMMARY 
     A climbing exercise apparatus having homolateral and contralateral modes of operation may include a frame supporting movable generally vertically oriented members in spaced apart relationship to one another. The vertically oriented members may include foot supports secured at the lower distal ends thereof and handlebars in adjustable telescopic relationship with the vertically oriented members. Handgrips may be rotatably mounted proximate the upper distal ends of the handlebars. The handgrips may be rotatable about canted axes which are canted relative to the longitudinal axis of the handlebars. The handgrips may be selectively locked for homolateral and contralateral operation of the climbing exercise apparatus. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       So that the manner in which the above recited features, advantages and objects of the present invention are attained can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. 
       It is noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a climbing exercise apparatus. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the climbing exercise apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 3A-3C  are partial perspective views depicting the transition from the contralateral exercise mode to the homolateral exercise mode of the climbing exercise apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of the climbing exercise apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded partial perspective view of a handlebar of the climbing exercise apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded partial perspective view of an alternate configuration of a handlebar of the climbing exercise apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a climbing exercise apparatus. 
         FIG. 8  is a partial perspective view of the climbing exercise apparatus shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a front view of the climbing exercise apparatus shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of the climbing exercise apparatus shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         FIGS. 11A-11C  are perspective views depicting the transition from the homolateral exercise mode to the contralateral exercise mode of the climbing exercise apparatus shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a climbing exercise apparatus. 
         FIG. 13  is a side view of the climbing exercise apparatus shown in  FIG. 12 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring first to  FIG. 1 , a climbing exercise apparatus is generally identified by the reference numeral  100 . The climbing exercise apparatus  100  may include a frame  110  comprising spaced apart base members  112 ,  113  interconnected by a cross connecting member  114 . A generally vertically extending left guide member  118  and a right guide member  120  may be fixedly secured to the base member  112 . The left and right guide members  118 ,  120  may be spaced apart and connected proximate the upper distal ends thereof by a transverse bracket  122  bridging the space between the left and right guide members  118 ,  120  and maintaining the parallel relationship between one another. A generally angularly extending brace member  116  may have a lower end secured to the base member  112  and an upper end connected to the bracket  122 . The left and right guide members  118 ,  120  may extend generally vertically upward from the base member  112  angled generally toward the base member  113  at an acute angle α of about fifteen (15°) degrees. 
     The left and right guide members  118 ,  120  may movably support left and right tubular slide members  124 , 126 , respectively. The guide members  118 ,  120  and slide members  124 ,  126  are depicted in the drawings as having a substantially rectangular cross section. It will be appreciated, however, that the guide members  118 ,  120  and slide members  124 ,  126  may include other cross-sectional shapes, such as, but not by way of limitation, circular, cylindrical, triangular and the like cross-sectional shapes. The slide members  124 ,  126  may be linearly reciprocated relative to the guide members  118 ,  120 . Rollers  128  and the like may provide a linear bearing surface in a manner known in the art. Foot platforms  130  may be secured proximate the lower distal ends of the reciprocating members  124 ,  126 , generally in a non-adjustable manner. A cover or shroud may be secured to the frame  110  to cover or enclose the central portion of the climbing exercise apparatus  100 . 
     The rollers  128  may be disposed between front and rear plates of the bracket  122 . The rollers  128  may be rotatable about shafts  132  fixedly securing the bracket  122  to the left and rights guide members  118 ,  120 . The bracket  122  may include a center block  134  secured between the front and rear plates thereof. The center block  134 , in cooperation with the rollers  128 , may provide lateral constraint to the reciprocal movement of the slide members  124 ,  126 . 
     Foot platforms  130  may be fixedly secured proximate the lower ends of the slide members  124 ,  126  in a generally non-adjustable manner. In some instances, the foot platforms  130  may be configured for pivoting movement. The foot platforms  130  may be secured to generally C-shaped foot brackets  138  fixedly secured proximate the lower ends of the slide members  124 ,  126 . Rollers  140  may be rotatably secured to the foot brackets  138  providing lateral constraint at the lower ends of the slide members  124 ,  126 . 
     The slide members  124 ,  126  are generally vertically oriented and may be linearly reciprocated by a user a distance which corresponds to the maximum desired stepping height of the user. A pulley  142  may be rotatably secured to the bracket  122 . A flexible member or cable  144  may be utilized to provide reciprocal or oppositional dependent action of the slide members  124 ,  126 . The cable  144  may be routed over the pulley  142  and the distal ends thereof secured to respective slide members  124 ,  126 . 
     Left and right handlebars  146 ,  148  may be adjustably secured to the slide members  124 ,  126 . The handlebars  146 ,  148  may include elongated handlebar leg members  150  in telescopic relationship with a respective slide member  124 ,  126 . The handlebars  146 ,  148  may be selectively adjusted relative to the slide members  124 ,  126 . The handlebars  146 ,  148  may releasably engage with detent adjustment holes  152  formed in the slide members  124 ,  126  to set the handlebars  146 ,  148  to the expected arm reach of a user of the climbing exercise apparatus  100 . 
     The left and right handlebars  146 ,  148  may include left and right handgrips  154 ,  156  secured to the upper distal ends of the handlebar leg members  150 . The left and rights handgrips  154 ,  156  may be rotatably secured to mounting stubs  158  projecting from the handlebar leg members  150 . The mounting stubs  158  may extend outwardly from the handlebar leg members  150  defining an axis A perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handlebar leg members  150 . The mounting stubs  158  may include a stub boss  160  at the distal ends thereof having an outwardly facing generally flat or planar face  162  which is slanted rearward from the top edge to the bottom edge of the planar face  162 . The stub boss  160  may include a threaded borehole  164  defining an axis B perpendicular to the face  162  of the stub boss  160 . The axes A and B may define a canted angle θ between five to thirty degrees (5° to 30°). The handgrips  154 ,  156  may be coupled to the handlebar leg members  150  by threading the threaded shaft  166  of a knob  168  through a hole  155  extending through the handgrips  154 ,  156  proximate the distal ends thereof into the borehole  164  of the stub boss  160  so that the handgrips  154 ,  156  are rotatable about the canted axis B. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , it will be recognized that the axes B lie in a vertical plane P 1  at the transverse center of the climbing exercise apparatus  100 , illustrating that the lateral displacement of the handgrips  154 ,  156  is equal in both the homolateral and contralateral modes of operation of the climbing exercise apparatus  100 . 
     The handgrips  154 ,  156  may be secured to the handlebar leg members  150  for a user to operate the climbing exercise apparatus  100  in both a homolateral (straight) or a contralateral (cross) exercise mode. Changing the mode of operation of the climbing exercise apparatus  100  from a homolateral mode to a contralateral mode or vice versa may be performed by loosing the knob  168  and rotating the handgrips  154 ,  156  about the axis B to the opposite lateral side of the climbing exercise apparatus  100 . The canted axes B permit rotation of the handgrips  154 ,  156  about the axes B without colliding, as depicted in  FIGS. 3A-3C , which show the transition of the handgrips  154 ,  156  from the contralateral mode to the homolateral mode of operation of the climbing exercise apparatus  100 . The canted angle θ, for example, but not by way of limitation, illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  may be approximately eighteen (18°) degrees. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , the planar face  162  of the stub boss  160  and the interface surface of the handgrips  154 ,  156  may include a crown or circumferentially displaced tips and divots  170 ,  172 , respectively, to minimize the torque required to tighten or loosen the knob  168 . The tips and divots  170 ,  172  may permit angular micro adjustments to enable the user to set the handgrips  154 ,  156  at angles relative to the axis B other than horizontal, as desired. 
     An alternate configuration for locking the handgrips  154 ,  156  to the handlebar leg members  150  is shown in  FIG. 6 . The face  162  of the stub boss  160  may include a generally vertical groove  174  intersecting the threaded borehole  164 . The handgrips  154 ,  156  may include upstanding tabs  176  on opposite sides of the hole  155  at the distal ends of the handgrips  154 ,  156 . The grooves  174  and tabs  176  may intersect the axes B at right angles. The tabs  176  may be received in respective grooves  174  and the knob  168  tightened to lock the handgrips  154 ,  156  to the handlebar leg members  150 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 - FIGS. 11A-11C , a second embodiment of a climbing exercise apparatus is generally identified by the reference numeral  200 . As noted by the common use of reference numerals, the climbing exercise apparatus  200  is similar to the climbing exercise apparatus  100  with the exception that the tubular slide members  224 ,  226  are generally displaced front to back with respect to each other, rather than the side by side arrangement of the climbing exercise apparatus  100 . Similar to the climbing exercise apparatus  100 , a pulley  142  and cable  144  may cooperatively provide oppositional dependent action of the slide members  224 ,  226 , where the cable  144  is routed over the pulley  142 , and the distal ends of the cable  144  are fixedly secured to respective slide members  224 ,  226 . Handlebars  246 ,  248  may adjustably telescope into or out of respective slide members  224 ,  226  in a selective manner. Detent adjustment holes  252  and the like arranged on the leg members  250  of the handlebars  246 ,  248  may be cooperatively engaged by spring biased pins  253  and the like secured to the slide members  224 ,  226  to position the handgrips  154 ,  156  to the user&#39;s expected arm reach height. Foot platforms  230  may be secured proximate the lower ends of the slide members  224 ,  226  generally in a non-adjustable manner, however, in some instances pivoting of the foot platforms  230  may be provided to permit orientation change of the user&#39;s foot. 
     The climbing exercise apparatus  200  may include a frame comprising a base  210  and a stanchion  212  extending generally vertically upward from the base  210  angled generally forward at an acute angle β of about fifteen (15°) degrees, shown in  FIG. 10 . The slide members  224 ,  256  may be linearly secured to the frame  210  by rollers or unillustrated slides. The slide members  224 ,  226  may be secured to the frame  210  by guide members comprising two or more generally U-shaped brackets  270  and  272  which are vertically spaced from one another and are fixedly secured to the stanchion  212 . For purposes of illustration, but not by way of limitation, the slide members  224 ,  226  may be linearly constrained by rollers  260 ,  262  and  264 . Rollers  260  and  264  may be disposed between the sidewalls of the brackets  270 ,  272  and rotatably secured thereto. Front to back rolling constraint may be provided by center roller  264  disposed between slide members  224 ,  226  (where roller  264  is tangent with opposed moving surfaces of the slide members  224 ,  226 ) and by the rollers  260  which may be in rolling contact with the sides of the slide members  224 ,  226  opposite the rollers  264 . Additional side to side rolling constraint may be provided by the lateral rollers  262  which are rotatably secured to roller brackets  274 . The roller brackets  274  may be fixedly secured to the brackets  270 ,  272 . The lateral rollers  262  may be oriented perpendicular to the rollers  260  and may be in rolling contact with opposite sides of the slide members  224 ,  226 . It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that the rollers  262  may be omitted in the event the rollers  260  include circumferential flanges. 
     The pulley  142  may be disposed between the slide members  224 ,  226  below the bracket  270 . The pulley  142  may be rotatably supported by support arms  225 ,  227  which are secured to and extend downward from opposite sides of the bracket  270 . The frame  210  may include fixed handles  119  that a user may grasp to steady himself or while reciprocating only his legs in an up and down motion. 
     As with the climbing exercise apparatus  100 , the canted axes B prevent collision of the handgrips  154 ,  156  upon rotation about the axes B.  FIGS. 11A-11C  depict the transition of the handgrips  154 ,  156  from the homolateral mode to the contralateral mode of operation of the climbing exercise apparatus  200 . The canted angle θ, for example, but not by way of limitation, illustrated in  FIG. 7 , may be approximately eighteen (18°) degrees. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , a third embodiment of a climbing exercise apparatus is generally identified by the reference numeral  300 . As noted by the common use of reference numerals, the climbing exercise apparatus  300  is similar to the climbing exercise apparatus  200  with the exception that the handgrips  354  and  356  are not rotatable about a canted axis. Similar to the climbing exercise apparatus  200 , the tubular slide members  224 ,  226  are generally displaced front to back with respect to each other. A pulley  142  and cable  144  may cooperatively provide oppositional dependent action of the slide members  224 ,  226 , where the cable  144  is routed over the pulley  142 , and the distal ends of the cable  144  are fixedly secured to respective slide members  224 ,  226 . Handlebars  346 ,  348  may adjustably telescope into or out of respective slide members  224 ,  226  in a selective manner. Detent adjustment holes  352  and the like arranged on the leg members  350  of the handlebars  346 ,  348  may be cooperatively engaged by spring biased pins  253  and the like secured to the slide members  224 ,  226  to position the handgrips  354 ,  356  to the user&#39;s expected arm reach height. Foot platforms  230  may be secured proximate the lower ends of the slide members  224 ,  226  generally in a non-adjustable manner, however, in some instances pivoting of the foot platforms  230  may be provided to permit orientation change of the user&#39;s foot. 
     The handgrips  354 ,  356  may be releasably secured to the leg members  350  of the handlebars  346 ,  348  for homolateral or contralateral exercise modes. For purposes of illustration, but not by way of limitation, bolts or pins  358  and the like may be utilized to secure the handgrips  354 ,  356  to the leg members  350 . Alternatively, pins may project from the distal ends of the handgrips  346 ,  348  (not shown in the drawings) that may be inserted into the hole  352  to secure the handgrips  354 ,  356  to the leg members  350 . Other means and methods may be employed to secure the handgrips  354 ,  356  to the leg members  350 , such as frictions clamps. Geometric shapes (male or female) such as a square, rectangle or triangle may be formed on the leg members  350  and a corresponding square, rectangle or triangle formed on the handgrips  354 ,  356  for mating engagement therewith. 
     While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims which follow.