Patent Publication Number: US-9895565-B2

Title: Fitness apparatus

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to fitness apparatus, and in particular to such an apparatus consisting of an assembly of vertical and horizontal bars having numerous bolt holes at spaced intervals and connected together by bolts and having numerous attachment points carrying various different fitness attachments for facilitating various different physical exercises. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Equipment for exercising the body, for fitness or for physical development, is shown in numerous different patents. Many of them involve moveable devices for specific fitness routines, with more or less resistance from springs or cylinders. These devices are often complex and costly. Shipping of such complex machines can be costly. 
     They usually occupy a relatively large footprint, and can often become disused due to the lack of variety of exercises available on them. They are usually capable of only one or two different exercise routines. Many of them require electrical power to operate the resistance devices, or the electronic displays. 
     Simpler forms of devices such as parallel bars are usually supported by being fixed to some building structure and have fixed proportions, and are suitable for only a few exercises 
     Other forms of equipment, usually based on a simple see-saw principle, provide for inverting the human body into an upside down position. This, while not being an exercise device as such, is thought to be beneficial to overall fitness. 
     To keep all these different pieces of equipment, in a confined area, such as a spare room in a home for example, or even to provide them, in sufficient numbers, in a commercial or institutional facility is often simply impractical. 
     Clearly it would be desirable to combine as many as possible of these and other various fitness exercise functions into a single piece of universal equipment. Preferably the device would be adaptable for use by persons of different age, and different height and different physique. The equipment should preferably be operable without the use of power accessories requiring electrical power for operation. 
     Ideally the equipment would be suitable for shipping as a kit in a knocked-down, compact condition, and yet be suitable for erection in a fitness facility or even by the buyer in his home. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     With view to providing a fitness apparatus meeting these desirable criteria the invention comprises two side assemblies each having a plurality of upright metal bars of hollow tubular construction each having a plurality of fastening holes along its length, L-shaped junction members formed by upper extensions of said upright metal bars of similar hollow tubular material and having fastening holes therealong, cross members extending between said two side assemblies holding them in spaced apart locations, floor rests on both said side assemblies, and at least one fitness exercise attachment secured to one of said side assemblies, and another fitness exercise attachment secured to the other of said side assemblies. 
     Preferably there are several different such fitness exercise attachments attached to said apparatus. 
     Preferably one such attachment is a body inverter swing, mounted for swinging between said two side assemblies. 
     Preferably the body inverter consists of a rectangular enclosure having two upright bar side members and upper and lower cross bar members at opposite ends of said upright side members, and hand grips on one said cross member and foot grips on the other said cross member. 
     Preferably there are pivots on opposite side assemblies supporting said inverter, and a friction control for restricting swinging of said inverter. 
     Preferably the friction control has handles by which it is operable, the handles being located on the inverter itself such that they can be operated manually while the inverter is in use. 
     Preferably there is a manual swing control device connected to said inverter whereby an operator can swing said inverter manually. 
     Preferably there are attachments on the upper and lower transverse bars to which a body harness can be secured. 
     Preferably the upper and lower transverse bars of said inverter are moveable along said upright bars of said inverter to accommodate persons of differing height or different positions in the inverter. 
     Preferably there is an upper side extension is attached to one of said side assemblies projecting outwardly therefrom and punch bag attachments on said side extension for attachment of a punch bag thereto. 
     Preferably there are parallel hand and foot bars attached to one of said side assemblies. 
     Preferably there are exercise bars extending from one of said side assemblies for abdominal exercising. 
     Preferably there is a bench attached to one of said side assemblies for seated and prone exercises. 
     The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with more particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     
       IN THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective of a fitness apparatus illustrating the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a front elevation of the inverter; 
         FIG. 3  is a side elevation of the inverter; 
         FIG. 4  is a top plan of the inverter; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective of the brake mechanism of the inverter; 
         FIG. 6  is a top plan of the brake; 
         FIG. 7  is a side elevation of the brake; 
         FIG. 8  is a section of the brake along  8 - 8  of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a front elevation of the friction assembly for the inverter, and showing a latch device; and, 
         FIG. 10  is a side elevation of  FIG. 9 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF A SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT 
     Referring first to  FIG. 1  it will be seen that this illustrates one form of the invention, which in this case is a stand alone fitness apparatus, for enabling many different fitness routines to be performed, on the one apparatus. 
     The apparatus is fully functional as it stands, and does not require any power source, either for resistance, or for control, or display. 
     The apparatus comprises in this case first side assembly ( 10 ) and second side assembly ( 12 ), standing spaced apart from one another 
     Each side assembly comprises a plurality of upright bars. In each case there are two angled upright bars ( 14 ) and two intermediate upright bars ( 16 ). A central upright bar ( 18 ) is located between the intermediate upright bars ( 16 ). The two angled upright bars ( 14 ), at their upper ends are formed into generally L-shaped junction portions ( 20 ). The junction portions are attached together to form a continuous horizontal support. Such attachment can be by welding, or by bolts and fastening flanges, (not shown) or any other suitable system. The upright bars ( 16 ) and ( 18 ) are attached at their tipper ends to L-shaped junction portions ( 20 ). The upright bars at their lower ends are attached to lower transverse bar ( 22 ). 
     The side assemblies ( 10 ) and ( 12 ) are connected to each other by a cylindrical tube ( 24 ) connected to both L=shaped junction portions ( 20 ). Tube ( 24 ) has flanges (not shown) at each end so that it can be, eg bolted, or secured to the L=shaped junction portions ( 20 ), where they join together. 
     It is possible to perform various routines using the cylindrical tube ( 24 ), which can simply be grasped by the hands. The side assemblies ( 10 ) and ( 12 ) are connected to each other by lower outer bars ( 26 ). Lower transverse bars ( 22 ) and lower outer bars ( 26 ) thus form a rectangular frame shape joining the bottoms of side assemblies ( 10 ) and ( 12 ). 
     Side assembly ( 10 ) is provided with an upper extension in the form of a central extension bar ( 30 ) extending normal to central upright bar ( 18 ) and connected as at ( 32 ) to the L=shaped junction portions ( 20 ), near the top of central upright bar ( 18 ). A transverse extension bar ( 34 ) is attached normal to central extension bar ( 30 ). Two angled extension bracket bars ( 36 ) are attached at their lower ends to angled upright bars ( 14 ). At their upper ends bracket bars ( 36 ) are attached to the respective ends of transverse extension bar ( 34 ), thus providing firm support for transverse extension bar ( 34 ). 
     A number of upper attachment rings ( 38 ) are secured to the undersides of bracket bars ( 36 ) and also to the under side of transverse extension bar ( 34 ) and central extension bar ( 30 ). These rings permit the attachment of a fitness device such as a punch bag, (not shown) which may have upper and lower elastic cords, in well known manner. The cords of a punch bag can thus be attached in various different configurations, dependent on the routines being performed with the bag. 
     Floor legs ( 40 ) extend outwardly from each side assembly ( 10 ) and ( 12 ). Lower attachment rings ( 42 ) are provided on the upper sides of floor legs ( 40 ) of side assembly ( 10 ). In this way the punch bag (not shown) can be supported in space, between the upper and lower rings away from the upright bars of the side assembly ( 10 ), leaving the bag free to swing and rebound without interference from the upright bars of the side assembly. 
     On the other side assembly ( 12 ) parallel hand and foot bars ( 44 ) may be attached, for example to one of the upright intermediate bars ( 16 ), for performing various fitness routines. The positions of the short hand and foot bars ( 44 ) can be adjusted to suit the routines being performed. 
     Similarly exercise bar sub-assemblies ( 46 ) can be provided. These are of right-angular triangle shape in elevation, and angled bracket bars ( 48 ), and having T-shaped flanges by which they can be attached to upright intermediate members ( 16 ) as shown. 
     The parallel bar assemblies ( 46 ) thus providing secure support for the many routines Bar assemblies ( 46 ) may be attached at various positions, and at different heights for example being attached to the upright intermediate members ( 16 ) 
     For seated and for prone routines bench ( 50 ) is attached to upright angled bar ( 14 ) of side assembly ( 12 ). 
     At its remote end bench ( 50 ) is supported on bench legs ( 52 ). Bench ( 50 ) may have an adjustable back rest ( 54 ), which may hinge up, or lay flat, depending on the routines being performed. 
     The various parts of the apparatus can be attached together in various ways. Bolts are one method. Welding would be another, and any other forms of attachment many be suitable in various circumstances. 
     For additional routines a body inverter swing ( 60 ),  FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 , is mounted between side assemblies ( 10 ) and ( 12 ), by means of swing supports ( 62 ), fastened to respective side assemblies, on central upright bars ( 18 ). 
     Body inverter ( 60 ) comprises two side bars ( 64 ) and top rail ( 66 ) and bottom rail ( 68 ) forming a rectangular enclosure. Top rail ( 66 ) and bottom rail ( 68 ) can be adjusted up or down side bars ( 64 ) to accommodate persons of varying stature, or to provide for different positions within the inverter. 
     A body harness (now shown) may be provided having straps and hooks. It can be secured, for example, to top rail ( 66 ). In this way a person can be secured with their centre of gravity aligned with the swing supports ( 62 ). 
     Alternatively the person can be supported with their centre of gravity offset relative to swing supports ( 62 ). This will enable various different inverter movement routines. Foot plates ( 70 ), with straps (not shown), are attached on lower cross bar ( 72 ) which is itself attached transversely to bottom rail ( 68 ). Hand grips ( 74 ) are attached to upper cross bar ( 76 ) which is attached transversely to top rail ( 66 ). 
     There are two swing supports, one on each side. A swing support ( 62 ) is shown in more detail in  FIGS. 2, and 5, 6, 7, and 8 . 
     Each swing support ( 62 ) It has a shaft ( 78 ), received in a suitable bearing (not shown) in respective central uprights bars ( 18 ). Shaft ( 78 ) carries a brake drum ( 80 ). Frictional engagement of drum ( 80 ) is performed by the brake mechanism shown in  FIGS. 5, 6, 7, and 8 . 
     A rectangular sleeve ( 82 ) has two cheek plates ( 84 ) which are secured to the side bars ( 64 ) of the inverter. Within sleeve ( 82 ) a rectangular tube ( 86 ) is slidable up or down. Tube ( 86 ) has a base closure ( 88 ) A stop plate ( 90 ) secured at the bottom of sleeve ( 82 ) has a central opening. 
     A cylindrical column or rod ( 92 ) is attached to rectangular sleeve ( 82 ) and extends through the opening in closure ( 88 ) A spring ( 94 ) surrounds column ( 92 ) and is secured by bolt and washer ( 96 ). The upper end of spring ( 94 ) rides up against stop plate ( 90 ). In this way column ( 92 ) can slide up within sleeve ( 82 ) but is urged down by spring ( 94 ). On the upper end of column ( 92 ) an arcuate brake shoe ( 98 ) is supported by bolts ( 100 ). Brake shoe ( 98 ) defines an arc less than a semicircle, and matches the outside contour of drum ( 80 ), shown in phantom. Upward movement of the shoe ( 98 ) will cause friction on drum ( 80 ) and will control or stop rotation of shaft ( 78 ). 
     The brakes can be operated by brake levers ( 102 ) swingably mounted on each side bar ( 64 ) of inverter ( 60 ). 
     Brake shoe ( 98 ) has two brake cable sockets ( 104 ). Ends of brake cables ( 106 ) are secured in sockets ( 104 ). The other ends of the brake cables extend around pulleys and are secured to brake lever ( 102 ). 
     Operation of the levers will draw the brake shoes ( 98 ) up against the drums ( 80 ) and apply a retarding effect. 
     It may also be required that a trainer shall operate the inverter. For this purpose a manual rotation handle ( 108 ), ( FIG. 1 ) is provided which is attached on a central side bar ( 18 ), to shaft ( 78 ). 
     It may be desirable to lock inverter ( 60 ) to prevent it swinging. 
     A latch is provided on each central bar ( 18 ) for engaging the upright side bar ( 64 ) of the inverter. The latch comprise a swing lock am ( 110 ) of inverted three sided channel shape in section, swingably mounted on each central bar ( 18 ). 
     Latch ( 110 ) has a pivot hole and two pin sleeves ( 112 ). 
     A pivot bolt ( 114 ) passes through central upright ( 18 ), and through latch ( 110 ) 
     A pin ( 116 ) can be passed through sleeves ( 1120  and through holes in the ends of the pivot bolts ( 114 ) to hold the latches in their deployed horizontal position, engaging the inverter. By releasing the pins ( 116 ), the latches can swing down away from the inverter. 
     The latches have knobs ( 118 ) to facilitate manual manipulation 
     A person can thus safely get into or out of the inverter without risk of it suddenly swinging free. 
     After releasing the pins ( 116 ) from sleeves ( 112 ) and bolt ( 114 ), allowing the latches to fall away, he can then carry out inversion routines as desired. 
     It will be understood that in some circumstances a simplified apparatus can be provided. By using one only of the side assemblies, and by simply adding extra legs, for example adding legs from a second side assembly, and attaching them to a single side assembly, many of the routines possible with the two assembly version can also be carried out 
     In this case however the inverter itself would also be absent. 
     The foregoing is a description of a preferred embodiment of the invention which is given here by way of example only. The invention is not to be taken as limited to any of the specific features as described, but comprehends all such variations thereof as come within the scope of the appended claims.