Patent Publication Number: US-10758803-B2

Title: Portable gym structure

Description:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/459,882, filed Feb. 16, 2017 and entitled Jam&#39;s Gym, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     The present invention is directed to a portable climbing wall structure. Specifically, the structure is designed in such a way that it is adapted for easy assembly and disassembly and is portable in nature. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a portable gym structure that can be used by a variety of individuals in multiple configurations. The portable gym structure of the present invention has a unique configuration that allows for portability and variable configuration. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Playground and climbing structures are widely installed and enjoyed by millions of people around the world on a daily basis. These types of structures are used by small children and adults alike. While the safety and structural integrity of these various structures has improved greatly over the years, many of these structures are used outdoors and are permanently fixed in the ground or onto a surface until they inevitably wear out from use and the outdoor elements. Additionally, existing structures have a fixed height and no variability with respect to the basic construction of the structures. Moreover, once constructed, existing structures are relatively difficult to disassemble and move or store. 
     Similarly, infant and toddler structures are often conceptually similar to the above described playground and climbing structures, but typically are relatively small scale and afford a light-duty construction. These types of structures are usually not permanently fixed and have very limited variety. Because of the limited variability of the structures for infants or toddlers, there is restricted stimulation causing the existing structures to lose their appeal and quickly become unused. Additionally, the relatively small scale and light duty construction render existing structures too small in size to appeal to older toddlers and children. 
     As can be seen from above, there are no playground or climbing structures for any age individuals that are portable, flexible in design, and offer variety, including appropriate sizing, to the users. Thus, a need exists for a playground and/or climbing structure that offers safety, portability, and variety of design and size to its users. 
     Therefore, the currently disclosed portable gym was created to provide a device that allows safety, portability, variety, and cost effectiveness. This device improves the prior art in performance and safety. Considering the various portable gyms and playground equipment on the market and those as found in various patents and patent publications, none of these devices provide all of the elements which result in the durability, functionality, and performance found in the present invention. 
     The present invention includes a new and improved apparatus for use as a portable gym structure. This structure can be used by any age and size of individual as it has variable configurability and sizing. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a portable gym structure for indoor or outdoor use. 
     The portable gym structure of the present invention comprises first and second climbing walls. Each climbing wall comprises a top end and a base end where the top end is substantially parallel to the base end. The climbing walls are coupled such that the climbing walls are movable with respect to each other and an angle defined by side edges of the climbing walls is variable with the movement of the climbing walls in relation to each other. The top ends of the climbing walls are coupled such that the climbing walls form an A-frame structure. The base ends of the climbing walls further comprise a pair of feet on each side of each base end such that said feet protrude from the base ends of the climbing walls substantially perpendicular to the sides of the climbing walls. Feet anchors are removably coupled to the feet on each side of the base ends of the climbing walls such that when the climbing walls are configured in the A-frame structure, the feet anchors provide a stable footing for the structure such that the portable gym structure is stabilized. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide portable gym structure that is lightweight and portable. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a portable gym structure that provides variable configurability. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a portable gym structure that is made of lightweight polymers to allow easy set up and portability. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a portable gym structure that is cost effective to manufacture. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a portable gym structure where the apparatus can be extended. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the portable gym structure. 
         FIG. 2 a    shows a front view of the preferred embodiment of the portable gym structure with panels with holes. 
         FIG. 2 b    shows a back view of the preferred embodiment of the portable gym structure with panels with holes. 
         FIG. 3 a    shows a side view of the preferred embodiment of the portable gym structure in its open use mode. 
         FIG. 3 b    shows a top view of the preferred embodiment of the portable gym structure in its open use mode. 
         FIG. 4 a    shows a top view of one of the feet anchors of the invention. 
         FIG. 4 b    shows a first side view of one of the feet anchors of the invention. 
         FIG. 4 c    shows a front view of one of the feet anchors of the invention. 
         FIG. 4 d    shows a back view of one of the feet anchors of the invention. 
         FIG. 4 e    shows a second side view of one of the feet anchors of the invention. 
         FIG. 4 f    shows a perspective view of one of the feet anchors of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  shows an alternate embodiment of the invention with cable anchors. 
         FIG. 6 a    shows a side view of the preferred embodiment of the portable gym structure in the open use mode with the first and second panels uncoupled. 
         FIG. 6 b    shows a top view of the preferred embodiment of the portably gym structure in the open use mode with the first and second panels uncoupled. 
         FIG. 7 a    shows front view of the preferred embodiment of the portable gym structure with panels with holes. 
         FIG. 7 b    shows a back view of the preferred embodiment of the portable gym structure with panels with holes. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention relates to a portable gym structure  100 . As seen in  FIG. 1 , the preferred embodiment of the invention includes a first climbing wall  201  and a second climbing wall  202  that are coupled together along their top ends  203  and  205 , respectively. In the preferred embodiment, when the portable gym structure  100  is in the open position, as shown in  FIG. 1 , it forms, generally, an A-frame configuration. This A-frame configuration is achieved by coupling the climbing walls  201  and  202  such that the climbing walls  201  and  202  are movable with respect to each other and an angle defined by side edges  206 ,  207 ,  208 , and  209  of the climbing walls is variable with the movement of the climbing walls  201  and  202  in relation to each other. While it is preferred that the portable gym structure  100  have an A-frame configuration, it could be of any generally triangular configuration that allows for stability of the structure including scalene and obtuse triangular configurations. 
     Preferably, the two climbing walls  201  and  202  are coupled along the top ends  203  and  205  with clips  605 . The clips  605  have a female piece and a male piece. The male piece is attached to the top end  203  of the first climbing wall  201  and fits into the female piece on the top end  205  of the second climbing wall  202 . In this embodiment, while the climbing walls  201  and  202  are detachable from each other, they do not have the ability to rotate relative to each other in varying positions of the A-frame angle. Rather, the A-frame angle is fixed based on the position of the clips  605  in the walls  201  and  202 . The position and pre-set angle of the A-frame is such that maximum stability is achieved for the structure  100 . 
     In an alternate embodiment, the climbing walls  201  and  202  of the portable gym structure  100  include top ends  203  and  205  and bottom ends  204  and  212 . The top ends  203  and  205  of the climbing walls  201  and  202  are coupled together such that the two walls  201  and  202  are movable in relation to each other. In the preferred embodiment, the walls  201  and  202  are coupled together with at least one hinge connection point, not shown, and most preferably three hinge connection points. The hinge connection points are arranged in such a way that rotational movement is achieved between the climbing walls  201  and  202 . This rotational movement allows for varying angles between the climbing walls  201  and  202  to allow varying difficulty levels in climbing on the portable gym structure  100  and stability of the structure  100  when it is in the open A-frame configuration. 
     In a further alternate embodiment, the climbing walls  201  and  202  of the portable gym structure  100  are coupled at their top ends  203  and  205  via a bolt connection. The two climbing walls  201  and  202  are bolted together such that they anchor the climbing walls  201  and  202  in the open use mode. This connection does not allow the climbing walls to rotate relative to each other. 
     Further, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the climbing walls  201  and  202  each have side walls  210  and  211 , respectively, that frame the climbing walls  201  and  202 . These side walls  210  and  211  create a raised edge that extends out from the climbing walls  201  and  202 . On each side of the bottom ends  215  and  216  of the side walls  210  and  211  are feet  301 ,  302 ,  303 , and  304  as seen in  FIG. 1 . The feet  301 ,  302 ,  303 , and  304  are located on each side of each bottom end  204  and  212  such that said feet  301 ,  302 ,  303 , and  304  protrude from the bottom ends  215  and  216  of the side walls  210  and  211  substantially perpendicular to the bottom ends  215  and  216  of the side walls  210  and  211 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, the feet  301 ,  302 ,  303 , and  304  slide into feet anchors  305 ,  306 ,  307 , and  308  when the portable gym structure  100  is open and in the A-frame position, shown in  FIG. 1 . The feet anchors  305 ,  306 ,  307 , and  308  are shown in detail in  FIGS. 4 a -4 f   . As can be seen in  FIGS. 4 a -4 f   , the feet anchors  305 ,  306 ,  307 , and  308  are comprised of a flat base  310  and a curved foot lock  311  that extends upward and perpendicular from the flat base  310 . Preferably, the curved piece  311  is of a dimension wherein the curved foot lock  311  slides over the  301 ,  302 ,  303 , and  304  such that no other securing means is required between the feet  301 ,  302 ,  303 , and  304  and the feet anchors  305 ,  306 ,  307 , and  308 . In an alternate embodiment, the feet anchors  305 ,  306 ,  307 , and  308  comprise a securing means to couple the feet anchors  305 ,  306 ,  307 , and  308  to the feet  301 ,  302 ,  303 , and  304 . The securing means can be a pin, clip, etc. 
     The flat piece  310  of the feet anchors  305 ,  306 ,  307 , and  308  are of a dimension wherein they provide a support base for the portable gym structure  100 . The feet anchors  305 ,  306 ,  307 , and  308  also, preferably, include a securing hole  312 . The securing hole  312  allows the feet anchors  305 ,  306 ,  307 , and  308  to have a stake driven through the hole  312  into the ground for more stability and security of the portable gym structure  100 . 
     In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the portable gym structure  100  is adjusted and secured using cables  601  and anchors  602  as shown in  FIG. 5 . Preferably, the structure includes at least two cables  601  and at least two pair of anchors  602 . One each of the pair of anchors  602  is coupled to each of the climbing walls  201  and  202 . The cables  601  are coupled on each of their opposite ends to the pair of anchors  602  wherein the length of the cables  601  is used to define the angle of the climbing walls  201  and  202  with respect to each other. The length of the cables  601  defines the angle of the A-frame when it is in the open position. The tension on the cables  602  as attached to the anchors  602  provide stabilization of the structure  100 . Moreover, the change in the length of the cables  602  allows the user to define the angle of the structure  100  according to the need at the time. This embodiment can be used with the feet  301 ,  302 ,  303 , and  304  and feet anchors  305 ,  306 ,  307 , and  308  as described above. 
     As seen in the Figs., in one embodiment of the invention, the climbing walls  201  and  202  include a joint  220  in the middle of climbing walls  201  and  202  wherein the walls  201  and  202  are made of two separate pieces. These pieces couple together to form each of the full length climbing walls  201  and  202 . This embodiment provides easier manufacture, assembly, and use. In another embodiment, the climbing walls  201  and  202  are made of one single piece with no joints. In either embodiment, the climbing walls  201  and  202  are preferably surrounded by the side walls  210  and  211  as described above. 
     Moreover, the climbing walls  201  and  202  are either smooth surfaces or surfaces that contain a plurality of holes  401 . The smooth surface allows the user to slide down and climb up the walls  201  and  202  with no obstructions or obstacles. In contrast, the holes  401  in the walls  201  and  202  allow insertable climbing pieces  405  to be arranged along the climbing walls  201  and  202  in any configuration suitable to the user&#39;s needs. The insertable climbing pieces  405  are generally of a shape that allows the user to use as a climbing grip or an obstacle in climbing the walls  201  and  202 . The climbing pieces  405  can include ropes, real or simulated rocks, or other items to make the climbing of the structure  100  more or less difficult. In the preferred embodiment, the climbing walls  201  and  202  are interchangeable to give the user of the portable gym structure  100  more options in its use. 
     It is preferred that the portable gym structure  100  be made of a light weight durable material. In the preferred embodiment, this material is a light weight plastic. Plastic is durable to the wear and tear placed on a portable gym structure of this type while still being light weight enough to allow easy maneuverability and portability. While plastic is preferred, any other type of light weight, durable material can be used. These materials can be a metal or other type of light weight material. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, more than one portable gym structure  100  can be placed end on end to create a longer structure. This can be achieved by placing the portable gym structure  100  in the position where the first and second climbing walls  201  and  202  are not put in the A-frame position, but rather stacked end on end in a flat 180° configuration. These separate gym structures  100  can be coupled together end on end and used either in a flat position on the ground or propped up against a building or structure for a more challenging climbing experience. 
     In a further alternate embodiment of the invention not shown, the portable gym structure  100  can be configured in a way such that there are at least three, and preferably, four climbing walls arranged such that the climbing walls form a base where the top ends of the climbing walls couple together and receive a flat piece that fits on top of the top ends of the climbing walls to form a platform. The platform is of a dimension that at least one user of the portable gym structure can stand or sit upon the platform. The formation of the climbing walls as a base provides a stable structure where the platform provides a safe and stable place for users to move around. In the configuration with three climbing walls forming the base, a triangular tripod shape is made. In the configuration with four climbing walls forming the base, a pyramid shape is made. The climbing walls would be generally constructed in the same fashion as described above.