Patent Publication Number: US-8535204-B2

Title: Exercise apparatus

Description:
This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of Richard J. Stacey, Canadian Patent Application Serial Number 2,711,120, entitled “EXERCISE APPARATUS,” filed on Aug. 19, 2010, the benefit of priority of which is claimed hereby, and which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to the field of exercise apparatuses and more particularly to the field of exercise apparatuses mountable to a doorframe. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Exercise devices are widely marketed. Examples include exercise devices for performing pull-ups or chin-ups. Such devices include bars that can be permanently or temporarily installed. Temporary devices are generally easy to mount, dismount and store. 
     There are many different models of exercise bars with common designs including, for example, bars that hang from other structures and bars that are held in place at least partially by expansion forces, brackets or a combination thereof. Expansion forces bar can include for example internal screw threads or spring loaded mechanisms. Exercise bars are sometimes mounted in doorways. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Implementations will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached figures, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a multi-level exercise apparatus including implementations of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 3 ,  4 ,  5 , and  6  show example user positions in which the apparatus of  FIG. 1  can be used; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of one implementation of a hanging exercise apparatus; 
         FIG. 8  is a side elevation view of an implementation of hanging exercise device; 
         FIG. 9  is a side elevation view of an example implementation of rotationally mounting a hanging exercise device; 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of a further example implementation of a hanging exercise device including use for supported exercises with offset rest member; 
         FIG. 11  is a side view of a another example implementation of a hanging exercise device including use for supported exercises with offset rest member; 
         FIG. 12  is an example exploded perspective view of the implementation shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of an example implementation of a hanging exercise device including use for supported exercises with a second pair of handle struts; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of an implementation of a hanging exercise apparatus similar to that of  FIG. 7  with an alternative example implementation of adjustable width strut handles; 
         FIG. 15  is a rear elevation view of an example implementation of width adjustable strut handles; 
         FIG. 16  is an exploded reverse-angle perspective view of a portion of the implementation shown in  FIG. 7  with quick release; 
         FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional view of an example implementation of a quick release mechanism in a locked position; 
         FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional view of the example implementation of a quick release mechanism of  FIG. 17  in an unlocked position; 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of an implementation of a hanging exercise device similar to that of  FIG. 7  with an example implementation of a rest member with offset intermediate section; 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective view of an implementation similar to that of  FIG. 1  including optional attachments; 
         FIG. 21  is a perspective view of a further alternate exercise apparatus hanging from a freestanding exercise station; and 
         FIG. 22  is a perspective view of an alternate hanging exercise apparatus with rings. 
         FIG. 23  is a perspective view of an implementation of a hanging exercise apparatus similar to that of  FIG. 7  with an alternative example implementation of adjustable length drop members and adjustable length handle struts; and 
         FIG. 24  is a side view of the implementation shown in  FIG. 23 . 
     
    
    
     Like reference numerals are used throughout the FIGS. to denote similar elements and features. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE IMPLEMENTATIONS 
     For the purposes of this disclosure, the term doorway will refer to the opening in a wall or solid structure, and the term doorframe will refer to the frame about a doorway including for example jambs, lintel, sills and any edging or moulding around the doorway. 
     In this description various implementations will be described. Some features will be described with regard an example implementation and not for other example implementations in order to efficiently describe the various implementations. It is understood that features from one implementation can be applied to other implementations. 
     In this description tubular is understood to include a hollow rounded cross-section. A rounded cross-section can include for example circular, elliptical, and obround cross-sections. In many applications it is possible to use members of alternate profiles, such as for example solid rounded cross-sections, or rectangular cross-sections. The cross-section of members can change along the length of a member. It is noted that those portions of members that are intended to be gripped by a user would preferably have rounded external cross-sections for comfort. Portions of members to be curved along the length of the member can be bent, for example, to form an elbow. Such bent portions can for example have a squashed circular (perhaps elliptical) cross-section formed during bending from an original circular cross-section. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an exercise apparatus  701  has a first pair of drop members  140 , a first rest member  120 , and a first pair of handle struts  150 . 
     Each drop member  140  having a longitudinal axis  142 . The longitudinal axes  142  of the drop members  140  are substantially in a single plane. The drop members  140  are rigid to provide structural stiffness in three-dimensions for purposes described herein. The drop members  140  are elongate to provide spacing between the elements of the apparatus  701 . The drop members  140  are spaced-apart Y from one another. 
     The rest member  120  has a longitudinal axis  144 . The rest member  120  has a length X greater than the drop members  140  are spaced apart Y. The rest member  120  has two rest surfaces  165  (better shown in  FIG. 2 ) that are substantially parallel to the rest member longitudinal axis  144 . The rest surfaces  165  are at opposing ends  167  of the rest member  120 . The rest member  120  is elongate to provide spacing between the elements of the apparatus  701 . The rest member  120  is rigid to provide structural stiffness in three-dimensions for purposes described herein. 
     The handle struts  150  are spaced apart Z by at least hip width. Each handle strut  150  has a longitudinal axis  152 . The strut axes  152  are substantially in a single plane. The handle struts  150  are elongate to provide support for exercises as described herein. The handle struts  150  are rigid to provide structural stiffness in three-dimensions for purposes described herein. 
     The rest member  120  is connected to the drop members  140  and the handle struts  150 . In the implementation shown in  FIG. 1  the drop members  140  are each connected to a respective one of the handle struts  150  each drop member  140  handle strut  150  combination (generally indicated at  154 ) can be continuous, for example formed from a tube. A tube combination  154  can have a substantially uniform circumference. 
     Whether or not a drop member  140  and a respective handle strut  150  are directly connected to one another, the axis  142  of the drop member  140  and the axis  152  of the handle strut can be in the same plane as shown in  FIG. 1 . In other implementations the axis  142  of the drop member  140  and the axis  152  of the handle strut can be offset from one another. Typically the apparatus  701  will be symmetrical about a central plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis  144  of the rest member  120 . Where the axis  142  of the drop member  140  and the axis  152  of the handle strut are offset from one another, the axes  142  of the drop members  140  are preferably further from the central plane than the axes  152  of the handle struts  150  for enhanced stability in use; however, where the connections between the elements of the apparatus  701  and between the drop members  140  and another structure from which the drop members  140  hang (as will be discussed herein), the axes  142  of the drop members  140  can be closer to the central plane than the axes  152  of the handle struts  150 . 
     In other implementations the rest member  120 , drop members  140 , and handle struts  150  can be connected in alternate configurations. The rest member  120  is rigidly connected at least to the drop members  140  or to the handle struts  150 . The handle struts  150  are rigidly connected at least to the respective drop members  140  or to the rest member  120 . The drop members  140  are rigidly connected at least to the respective handle struts  150  or to the rest member  120 . 
     In the configuration shown in  FIG. 7  the rest member  120  is shown on one side of the plane of the drop members  140 , while the handle struts  150  extend away from the plane of the drop members  140  on an opposite side of the plane. Again, the specific relationship of the beginning of the handle struts  150  and the position of the rest member  120  on one side or the other of the drop members  140  can be altered with consequent modification in alternative implementations. 
     The rest surfaces  165  are substantially perpendicular to the axis  152  of the handle struts  150 , the rest surfaces  165  are offset in a first direction Q from the longitudinal axis  144  of the rest member  120 . The handle struts  150  extend away from the longitudinal axis  144  of the rest member  120  in a second direction R having a component opposite to the first direction Q. 
     The apparatus  701  has a second pair of drop members  764 , second rest member  720 , and a second pair of handle struts  773 . The drop members  764  are similar to the drop member  140  in being substantially co-planar, rigid and spaced-apart and each drop member having a longitudinal axis  762 . The rest member is similar to the rest member  120  in being elongate and rigid and having a longitudinal axis  766 . The rest member  720  has a length substantially the same as the first rest member  120 . The second rest member  720  also has two rest surfaces  770  substantially parallel to the second rest member longitudinal axis  766 . The rest surfaces  770  are at opposing ends  772  of the rest member  720 . The handle struts  773  are similar to the handle struts  150  in being rigid, elongate, and spaced-apart and having longitudinal axes  774  with the strut axes  774  being substantially in a single plane. 
     Again, the second rest member  720  is rigidly connected at least to the drop members  764  or to the handle struts  773 , and the second pair handle struts  773  are rigidly connected at least to the respective drop members  764  or to the rest member  720 . The second pair drop members  764  are rigidly connected at least to the respective second pair handle struts  773  or to the second rest member  720 . 
     The second rest member rest surfaces  770  are substantially parallel to the plane of the second pair drop members  764 . The second rest member rest surfaces are offset in the first direction Q from the longitudinal axis  766  of the second rest member  720 . The second pair handle struts  773  extend away from the longitudinal axis  766  of the second rest member  720  in a third direction S having a component opposite to the first direction Q. The second direction R and the third direction S can be the same or different. The apparatus  701  may or may not have handle struts  773 . The rest member  720  can be directly connected to the drop members  764  or connected through other elements such as handle struts  773  to the drop members  764 . 
     The plane of the second pair drop members  764  is offset from the rest surfaces  770  in the first direction Q. The second pair drop members  764  terminate in a transverse rectilinear beam  730 . The beam  730  and drop members  764  form a hanging mechanism for the rest member  720  and the handle struts  773 . 
     The hanging mechanism, rest member  720  and handle struts  773  form an upper level exercise station  778  from which hanging exercises can be performed, such as are known with regard to chinning bars and the like. 
     The drop members  140 , the rest member  120 , and the handle struts  150  form a lower level exercise station  780  upon which supported exercises can be performed, and from which hanging exercises can be performed. 
     The first drop members  140  attach the lower exercise station  780  to the upper level exercise station  778 . The upper level exercise station  778  is separated from the handle struts  150  and the rest member  120  by the drop members  140 . 
     The upper exercise station  778  can be fixedly attached to the lower exercise station  780  to form a single exercise unit. An example of fixed attachment can be by way of unitary construction (dye molded). Alternatively, fixed attachment can be welding or clamps. Other examples will be recognized by those skilled in the art based on the teachings herein. Fixed attachment can prevent lateral movement while allowing rotational movement of the drop members  140  about the rest member  720  to allow the lower exercise station to self-orient to the orientation of the upper exercise station when installed. The upper exercise station  778  can take on a rotated orientation due to a mismatch with a doorway opening. Rotational self-orientation can assist with properly aligning the lower exercise station  780 . 
     A variety of different exercises are possible on the implementations described herein.  FIGS. 3 to 6  illustrate a number of example user positions from which exercises may be performed.  FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate example lower exercise station  780  supported exercises, while  FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate lower exercise station  780  hanging exercises. Such hanging exercises can be floor-supported as illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
     In  FIG. 3 , the user has his or her back to the elongate rest member  120  and his or her forearms rest on the elongate handle struts  150 . By supporting his or her weight on the elongate handle struts  150 , the user may lift his or her legs in a number of motions to exercise various muscles including the abdominal and oblique muscles. 
     Generally, the elongate drop members  140  have a length such that when the exercise apparatus  100  is used on a standard doorway, the elongated handle struts  150  are situated slightly higher than an average person&#39;s elbow height. This allows for a user to perform various exercises when in the position in  FIG. 3  without his or her feet touching the floor, while allowing the user to move into the exercise position with relative ease. For a doorway with a height of 80 inches and a person with an elbow height of 40 inches, an appropriate length of the elongate drop members  140  would be between about 15 and 25 inches to perform the exercises but the exercise apparatus  100  could be used with elongated drop members  140  with lengths outside this range. In one example embodiment the length of the drop member is about 21 inches. In some implementations, the length of the elongate drop members  140  may be adjustable as shown in  FIGS. 23 and 24  at adjustment mechanism  141 ; for example, using adjustment mechanisms such as those described herein with regard to the rest member  120 . 
     The elongate handle struts  150  have a length such that a person may comfortably support his or her forearms on the elongate handle struts  150  when performing various exercises from the position illustrated in  FIG. 3 . A comfortable length is a cubit or the distance from a person&#39;s elbow to the tip of the middle finger which generally ranges from 17 to 21 inches. In some implementations, the length of the elongate handle struts  150  can fall outside this range. In other implementations, the length of the elongate handle struts  150  may be adjustable, as shown for example in  FIGS. 23 and 24  at adjustment mechanism  149 . 
     In  FIG. 4 , the user is facing the elongate rest member  120  and is supporting his or her weight on the elongated handle struts  150  using his or her hands. From this position, the user may lower and raise his or her body to exercise various upper body muscles. The user may optionally be facing in the opposite direction with his or her back to the elongate rest member  120 . When the distance between the elongate handle struts  150  is around shoulder width, the user may focus more on exercising his or her triceps. When the distance between the elongate handle struts  150  is wider than shoulder width, the user may focus more on exercising his or her chest muscles. The handle struts  150  should be at least hip width apart to allow passage of the hips between the struts  150  during this exercise when the user is fully raised. Preferably, the handle struts  150  extend further from the rest member  120  than the handle struts  773 , if any, extend from the rest member  720  such that a user is not impeded by, or uncomfortably close to, the handle struts  773  when performing supported exercises such as those described with respect to  FIG. 4 . 
     In  FIG. 5 , the user has his or her feet on the ground and is hanging from the exercise apparatus  100  with bent arms while facing downwards. By straightening his arms and depending on the positioning of his hands on the elongate rest member  120  or bases  150 , the user may exercise various upper body muscles. 
     In  FIG. 6 , the user has his or her feet on the ground and is hanging from the exercise apparatus  100  while facing upwards. By pulling himself upwards, the user may exercise various upper body muscles. When in the positions illustrated by  FIG. 5  or  6 , by moving his or her feet closer or farther from the doorway, the user may decrease or increase the weight he is lifting thereby decreasing or increasing the difficulty of the exercise. 
     The example user positions shown in  FIGS. 3-6  are for illustrative purposes and do not limit the positions or exercises contemplated by the present disclosure. 
     Reference is made to  FIG. 7 , wherein the lower exercise station  780  in separately shown as an exercise apparatus  100 . Further example implementation elements of the lower exercise station  780  will be described. It is to be recognized that the further example implementation are examples only and do not limit the general description provided above. The exercise apparatus  100  comprises an elongate rest member  120 , two hooks  130 , two elongate drop members  140 , and two elongate handle struts  150 . 
     The elongate rest member  120  can be a rigid tubular member such as a tubular bar (or simply a tube) as illustrated in the example implementation in  FIG. 7 . 
     In some implementations, the elongate rest member  120  is transversely connected to each of the elongate drop members  140 . In  FIG. 7 , the elongate rest member  120  is connected to the lower portion of the elongate drop members  140 ; however, the elongate rest member  120  could connect to the elongate drop members  140  at any point along their lengths. In the example implementation shown in  FIG. 7 , the elongate rest member  120 , the elongate drop members  140  and the elongate handle struts  150  extend in substantially orthogonal directions. In other implementations, the angles between the elongate rest member  120 , the elongate drop members  140 , and the elongate handle struts  150  can be any angles that provide structural stability and allow a user to perform various exercises, examples of which will be described herein. 
     In some implementations, the elongate rest member  120  is transversely connected to each of the elongate handle struts  150 . In other implementations, the elongate rest member  120  is transversely connected to both the elongate drop members  140  and the elongate handle struts  150 . 
     When the exercise apparatus  100  is in use, the elongate rest member  120  provides torsional support to the elongate drop members  140  and elongate handle struts  150 . The elongate rest member  120 , elongate drop members  140  and elongate handle struts  150  can be composed of any rigid material, such as metal, wood, or a composite or synthetic material, that allows the members to maintain their structural integrity and shape when a user is doing various exercises on the exercise apparatus  100 . 
     The hooks  130  may be used to mount the exercise apparatus  100  on a doorway exercise bar or any substantially horizontal tubular member. In other implementations, the exercise apparatus  100  may be mounted using any other releasable attachment means including but not limited to pins, rings, clips, ropes, loops, and straps, and other mechanisms for hooking, looping or otherwise attaching to an exercise bar. Hook  130 , for example, is releasably attachable to the second rest member  720 . The drop members  140  depend from the releasable attachment means. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , in use, hanging the drop members  140  can include releasably attaching the drop members  140  to an elongate bar, such as rest member  720 . Releasably attaching the drop members  140  can be performed by hooking the hooks  130  of drop members  140  over the rest member  720  as indicating by movement H between hanging (attached) position K and released (unattached) position J. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , an example is shown of rotational movement of lower level exercise station  780  (in this case exercise apparatus  100 ) about rest member  120  as indicated at E. This can provide the self-adjustment described early. The rotational movement can be cause initially by gravity pulling down on the handle struts  150 , as indicated at F, such that the rest surfaces  165  of rest member  120  are driven towards a vertical surface, such as wall surface  810 , as indicated at G. During exercise, hanging or supported exercises performed on handle struts  150  further exert forces F that cause rotational movement E to drive the rest member  120  in the direction G. Once the rest surfaces  165  engage the vertical surfaces (in this case  810 ), the rest surfaces  165  provide a stop for the apparatus  100  to prevent further rotational movement E and a fulcrum such that the apparatus  100  attempts to pivot about rest member  120  which is resisted, for example by drop members  140  attached to rest member  720 . 
     As shown by example in  FIGS. 4-6  and  8 - 9 , in use, a user hangs the drop members  140  of an exercise apparatus  100  having a first pair of rigid elongate spaced-apart drop members  140  each drop member  140  having a longitudinal axis  142 , the longitudinal axes  142  of the drop members  140  being substantially in a single plane; a rigid elongate first rest member  120  having a longitudinal axis  144 , the rest member  120  having a length greater than the drop members  140  are spaced apart, the rest member  120  comprising two rest surfaces  165  substantially parallel to the rest member longitudinal axis  144 , the rest surfaces  165  at opposing ends  167  of the rest member  120 ; and a first pair of rigid elongate handle struts  150  spaced apart by at least hip width, each handle strut  150  having a longitudinal axis  152 , the strut axes  152  being substantially in a single plane; wherein the rest member  120  is rigidly connected at least to the drop members  140  or to the handle struts  150 , and the handle struts  150  are rigidly connected at least to the respective drop members  140  or to the rest member  120 , and the drop members  140  are rigidly connected at least to the respective handle struts  150  or to the rest member  120 ; and wherein the rest surfaces  165  are offset in a first direction Q from the longitudinal axis of the rest member  120 , and the strut members  150  extend away from the longitudinal axis of the rest member in a second direction R having a component opposite to the first direction Q. The user then pushes down on the handle struts  150  to perform supported exercises and to engage the rest surfaces  165  with respective substantially vertical surfaces  810  to support the handle struts  150 . 
     Further examples of exercise apparatuses for hanging and pushing down to perform supported exercises while engaging a rest member are described herein. 
     For example, referring to  FIG. 10  an exercise apparatus  1000  provides a single level exercise station  790  hanging from a doorframe sill  804  such that supported exercises can be performed. The exercise apparatus  1000  has a rest member  120  and handle struts  150 , and drop members  1400 . The drop members  1400  are similar to the drop members  140 ; however, the drop members  1400  extend directly to beam  730 . The drop members  1400  longitudinal axes  1420  are spaced away from rest the respective surfaces  165  by a distance in the direction Q. The distance is approximately the anticipated depth between hanging surface (sill  804 ) and a vertical surface against which the rest surfaces  165  are driven, for example the approximate depth between wall surfaces  820  and  810 . Rest member  120  is attached to the handle struts  150  from beneath to allow for the change in the offset between the drop members  1400  and the rest member  120 . This is an example of an alternate configuration of the relationship of the handle struts  150  and the position of the rest member  120  as discussed previously. 
     For example, referring to  FIG. 11  an exercise apparatus  1100  provides an exercise station  795  hanging from an exercise bar  1150  mounted within a door opening between sides of a doorframe (one side  812  of which is referenced on  FIG. 11 . The apparatus  1100  is hung in a manner similar to the apparatus  100  from the bar  1150 . The rest member  120  is again offset from the drop members  140  to allow for the offset between the bar  1150  and the wall surface  810 . The rest member  120  is connected to the struts  150  in the configuration shown in  FIG. 10 . It is understood that in both apparatuses  1000 ,  1100  the rest member  120  could be attached above the handle struts  120 , for example. The exercise station  795  is a lower level exercise station  795  providing supported exercises for the exercise bar  1150 . 
     When the exercise apparatus  100  is in use, the elongate rest member  120  can, optionally, provide a frictional interface with the doorframe or wall. For example, referring again to  FIG. 7 , this interface is provided by two outer grip covers  160 . The outer grip covers provide rest surfaces  165  which contact the doorframe or wall. Without the grip covers  160  the rest surface  165  can be provided, for example, by an outer surface of the tubular rest member  120 . The outer grip covers  160  can be made of foam padding or any other material that can provide a frictional surface when contacting a typical doorframe  800  or wall surface  820 . The elongate rest member  120  is generally longer than the width of a standard doorway to allow the rest surfaces to contact the doorframe or wall surface on either side of the doorway. A standard doorway may be between 29 and 38 inches. In some implementations, the elongate rest member  120  can be adjustably extended or shortened to accommodate different doorways. 
     The respective rest surfaces  165  can include surface areas spaced-apart by at least a width of a doorway opening. 
     Alternatively, other implementations may provide rest surfaces  165  by any other means in place of the outer grip covers  160 . The rest surfaces  165  may be provided by any covering, coating, material, or attachment to the elongate rest member  120  that provides sufficient friction to resist movement when the exercise device  100  is in use. This can assist in stabilizing the apparatus when in use. This can assist in protecting vertical surfaces which the rest surfaces  165  engage, such as respective wall surfaces  820  on either side of a doorway. 
       FIG. 7  also shows four optional user grip covers  170  which can be gripped by a user to provide more comfortable and less slippery handholds when exercising. 
     Referring to  FIG. 12 , in some implementations, the elongate rest member  120 , elongate drop members  140  and elongate handle struts  150  may be a single piece. In other implementations, these members  120 ,  140 ,  150  may be coupled from two or more pieces as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
     In the example implementation shown in  FIG. 12 , elongate drop members  140  are assembled from two separate pieces. The first piece  210  is coupled to the second piece  211  by inserting a telescoping portion  212  of the first piece into a receiving portion  213  of second piece. These pieces are secured by nuts  214  and bolts  215  inserted through corresponding holes  216  in the first  210  and second  211  pieces. In  FIG. 12 , the second pieces  211  comprise the lower portion of the elongate drop members  140  and the elongate handle struts  150 . The separate pieces illustrated by this example are not limiting to the present disclosure. Other implementations may include any number of pieces that may be connected by any means which provide sufficient structural strength to withstand the forces on the exercise apparatus  100  when in use. 
     Similarly, in  FIG. 12 , the elongate rest member  120  is assembled from a first section  221  and a second section  222 . The first  221  and second  222  sections may be coupled in the same manner as the elongate drop members  140  described above and held in place by bolts  224 . The two elongate rest member sections  221 ,  222  slide through and form a snug fit with the outer grip covers  160  and user grip covers  170 . 
     In this implementation, the elongate rest member  120  is connected to each elongate drop members  140  by a collar  225  which wraps around the elongate drop members  140  and has a pair of openings  226  through which the elongate rest member  120  is inserted. When connected to the elongate rest member  120 , the elongate drop members  140  are spaced apart which provides torsional stability to the apparatus  100 . 
     In this implementation, the elongate handle struts  150  are the same distance spaced apart as the elongate drop members  140 . The distance between the elongate handle struts  150  should be large enough to allow a user&#39;s torso to fit between them and to provide sufficient leeway for the user&#39;s arms to extend a comfortable distance away from the user&#39;s torso to perform various exercises. Generally, the distance between the elongate handle struts  150  is less than the width of a standard doorway, and is approximately shoulder width or between 16 and 26 inches. 
     Referring to  FIG. 13 , in another example implementation, the exercise apparatus  100  can have more than a pair of elongate handle struts  150  extending away from the elongate rest member  120 . In some implementations, the elongate handle struts are positioned in pairs and extend away from the elongate rest member  120 . For example in  FIG. 13 , a first pair of elongate handle struts  150 A extend at a first distance apart from the elongate rest member  120  and the elongate drop members  140 , while a second pair or elongate handle struts  150 B lying in the same plane as the first pair of elongate handle struts  150 A extend away from the elongate rest member  120  a second distance apart. These additional handle struts allow for a user to have different grip positions when performing various exercises. In various implementations, the additional handle struts  150 B can extend from the elongate drop members  140 , from the elongate rest member  120  or from other pairs of elongate handle struts  150 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 14 , in another example implementation, the space between the elongate handle struts  150  can be in-situ (for example, when apparatus  100  is attached to upper level exercise station  778 ) adjustable by altering the configuration of the handle struts  150 . For example, the elongate handle struts  150  can be curved as illustrated in  FIG. 14 . These curved handle struts  150 C can be positioned to extend away from the elongate rest member  120  while curving away from the other curved handle strut  150 C. The curved handle struts  150 C can also be positioned to curve towards each other as illustrated by the dotted lines in  FIG. 14 . Thus the respective handle struts  150  can each be moved from a first further position to a second closer position to adjust the space between the struts  150  as indicated at P. These different orientations of the curved handle struts  150 C can allow a user to perform variations of exercises such as narrow dips or wide dips. In some implementations, the curve handle struts  150 C may be adjustable to curve in different directions. In some implementations, this adjustment can be made by providing making the curved handle struts  150 C releasably attachable to the exercise device  100  in different orientations. In some implementations, the positioning of the curved handle struts  150 C may be selectively rotatable about a pivot  151 . In other implementations, the handle struts  150  may be any shape which allows them to be adjustably positioned to vary the distance between the axes of the handle struts. The above is an example showing the distance the handle struts  150  are spaced-apart can be adjustable. 
     Referring to  FIG. 15 , in some implementations, the distance between the elongate drop members  140  may be adjustable for different exercises or to better accommodate users of different sizes. As seen in  FIG. 15  which shows a rear elevation view of an example implementation, the elongate rest member  120  may have a series of radial buttons along its length. By varying the button with which each elongate drop member  140  is engaged, the user may thereby adjust the distance between the elongate drop members  140 . 
     In some implementations, the position of the elongate drop members  140  may be varied over any number of buttons or by any other means for selectively securing an elongate drop member&#39;s  140  position along the length of the elongate rest member  120 . In other implementations, the position of the elongate drop members  140  may be statically predetermined and may not allow for adjustment. 
     In the implementations described above, the elongated rest member  120  is adjustably or statically connected to the elongate drop members  140 ; however, in other implementations the elongated rest member  120  can be adjustably or statically connected to the elongate handle struts  150  using the same mechanisms described above or using any other mechanisms. In some implementations, the distance between the elongate handle struts  150  may be adjusted by adjusting the length of the elongate rest member  120 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 16 , in some implementations, elongate drop members  140  may be held in place by a button extending radially from the outer surface of the elongate rest member  120 . In  FIG. 16 , which shows an exploded, reverse-angle perspective view of a portion of the example exercise apparatus in  FIG. 12 , two buttons  320  are provided by pegs  321  connected to v-shaped springs  322 . These buttons  320  are positioned inside the elongate rest member  120  and are aligned such that the pegs  321  extend through openings  330  and radially outward from the longitudinal axis elongate rest member  120 . 
     This is further illustrated in  FIGS. 17 and 18  which show cross-sectional views of the example exercise apparatus in  FIG. 7  taken through the middle of the elongate rest member  120  and collar  225 . 
     In  FIG. 17 , the left button  320 A is not engaged with an elongate drop member  140 . The v-shaped springs  322  are made of a resilient material which has been compressed creating a spring force which forces the two arms of the spring apart. This spring force pushes the peg through the opening  330  in the elongate rest member  120 . 
     The right button  320 B is engaged with an elongate drop member  140 . The collar  225  has an opening  430  which is aligned with the opening  330 B such that the right button  320 B extends through and engages with both openings. When engaged, the button  320 B secures the elongate drop member  140  to the elongate rest member  120  and restricts movement of the elongate drop member  140  along the length of the elongate rest member  120 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 18 , when a user applies an inward force on the button  320 , the button  320  is pushed into the elongate rest member  120  and is disengaged from the opening  430  in the collar  225 . When not engaged with a button, the elongate drop member  140  and its collar  225  may slide freely along the length of the elongate rest member  120 . 
     In other implementations, the elongate drop member  140  can be secured to the elongate rest member  120  by any other mechanisms including but not limited to bolts, welds, pegs or any frictional means which restricts the movement of the elongate drop members  140  along the length of the elongate rest member  120 . In other implementations, the elongate drop members  140  and the elongate rest member  120  may be moulded from a single material. 
     When the exercise apparatus  100  is mounted on a bar such as a pull-up or chin-up bar as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the elongate drop members  140  extend down from the bar, and the elongate handle struts  150  are substantially horizontal. 
     The elongate rest member  120  should be longer than the width of the average doorframe to allow the rest surfaces  165  to extend past the opening of the doorway and to contact the doorframe  800  or wall  820 . In some implementations, the elongate rest member  120  may be extendable so that it may be adjusted to fit different sized doorways. 
     In  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the bar  700  is provided by a doorframe mountable bar  700 . The doorframe mountable bar  700  comprises two L-shaped members  710  (comprising drop member  764  and strut  773 ), a rest member  720 , and a support beam  730 . In this example implementation, the exercise apparatus  100  is mounted to the bar  700  by two hooks  130  which hook onto the doorframe mountable bar&#39;s horizontal member  720 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a side elevation view of the example exercise apparatus mounted on a doorframe  800 . The doorframe  800  and wall surfaces  810 ,  820  are shown in dotted lines. The support beam  730  is positioned to rest on sill  804  of the doorframe  800  which supports the bar  700  and exercise apparatus  701  from falling. The apparatus  701  hangs from the doorframe  800  in doorway  806  (see  FIG. 3  for example). A user hangs the bar  700  (upper exercise station  778 ) from the doorframe  800  then hangs the exercise apparatus  100  (lower exercise station  780 ) from the bar  700 . Alternatively, the user can first hang the exercise apparatus  100  to the bar  700  and then hang the bar  700  from the doorframe  800 . If the lower exercise station is fixed to the upper exercise station then a user simply hangs the apparatus  701  from the doorframe  800 . When in use, a user exerts a downward force on the elongate handle struts  150  of the exercise apparatus  100 . This downward force creates a torque which drives the rest surfaces  165  of the elongate rest member  120  towards the outer surface of the wall  810 , and drives the support beam  730  towards the inner surface of the wall  820 . The rest surfaces  165  act as a stop for the exercise apparatus and a fulcrum for the handle struts  150 . The drop members  140  allow supported exercises to be performed on the handle struts  150 . Supported exercises exert a downward force on the handle struts by pushing. 
     When the exercise apparatus is being used by a user, the bar and the exercise apparatus are held in place by the support beam  730  resting on the sill  830  and by frictional forces. The user&#39;s downward force on the bases  150  creates a normal force between the rest surfaces  165  and the outer surface  810  of the wall, and between the support beam  730  and the inner surface  820  of the wall. These normal forces increase the friction at the aforementioned contact points between the wall and the exercise apparatus  100  and bar  700 . The increased friction helps prevent the exercise apparatus  100  and bar  700  from movement during use. 
     In some implementations, the bar&#39;s horizontal member (rest member  720 ) may, during use of the lower exercise station  780 , form another contact point with the wall and may help resist slippage in the manner described above. 
     Referring to  FIG. 19 , in accordance with another example implementation, the elongate rest member  120  can comprise an intermediate section  121  offset from the longitudinal axis of the rest member in the direction Q away from the handle struts  150 . The intermediate section  121  is also offset from the plane of the drop members  150  away from the handle struts  150 . The offset section  121  can provide additional access to an upper exercise station, such as rest member  720 . The section  121  can be U-shaped which extends away from the longitudinal axis  144  of the elongate rest member  120  in the direction of the rest surfaces  165 . The section  121  creates a cavity  600  between the elongate drop members  140  to allow a user to perform exercises on the horizontal member, such as rest member  720  to which the exercise device  100  is attached without interference from the rest member  120 . 
       FIG. 20  illustrates another example implementation in which the exercise apparatus  100  additionally has a backrest  1010  in the middle of the elongate rest member  120 , armrests  1020  on the top of the elongate handle struts  150 , and handlebars  1030  extending upwards from the ends of the elongate handle struts  150 . These optional additions can provide alternative exercise positions, additional support, or comfort to the user. In some implementations, these additions may be removable allowing them to be attached or detached from the exercise apparatus  100  at the user&#39;s desire. 
     Referring to  FIG. 21 , a further example implementation of an exercise apparatus  1200  in use with a free standing exercise station  1400  having two posts  1500  holding up an exercise bar  1520 . The posts  1500  provide a further example of vertical surfaces  1550  with which rest surfaces  165  can engage. The apparatus  1400  is similar to the apparatus  100 . In the apparatus  1200  the rest member  120  is connected to the drop members  140  and the handle struts extend from the drop members  140  past the rest member  120 . The apparatus  1200  provides an offset between the drop members  140  and the rest member  120  to at least partially compensate for any offset between the bar  1520  and the vertical surfaces  1550 . The rest member  120  and the drop members  140  can be configured in alternate relationships, some of which have been described in other implementations herein, to align with the station  1400  as desired. 
     Referring to  FIG. 22  an alternate hanging exercise apparatus  2200  is similar to exercise apparatus  100 ; however, rings  2202  are provided in place of hooks  130 . Rather than hooking over an exercise bar, such as rest member  770  of  FIG. 7 , the rings  2202  can slide onto the rest member  770 . In order to provide sufficient distance between the rings  2202  to allow access over the ends of the rest member  770 , the rest member  120  of the apparatus  2200  can be broken apart or extended, for example using the opposite process to that described with regard to  FIG. 12 , then the rings placed over the ends of rest member  770 , and the rest member  120  reassembled. A quick release mechanism, such as pegs  321  could be incorporated into the rest member  120  in place of the bolts  224 . Alternatively, the bar  770  could be provided with mechanism to open space in the bar to allow the rings  2202  to be placed over the rest member  770  and then reassembling the rest member  770 . Other means by which to releasably attach the drop members  140  will be evident to those skilled in the art based on the information provided in this description and the drawings. 
     The above-described implementations of the present application are intended to be examples only. Alterations, modifications and variations may be effected to the particular implementations by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the application, which is defined by the claims appended hereto.