Patent Abstract:
A multi-purpose, adjustable fitness apparatus is provided for performing exercises; in particular, sliding pull-ups and push-ups. Two in-line metal bars are interposed by a T-connector. A sliding handle grip may be disposed on each bar between a pair of retaining collars. A radius elbow including a foot is attached to each bar. A first adapter for a first setting includes a crossbar and elbow tube is slidably locked to the perpendicular leg of the T-connector. The apparatus may be mounted over a doorframe; the elbow tube and T-connector provides adjustability to fit frames of various widths. A second adapter for a second setting includes a third foot fitted to the T-connector, and provides stability on a horizontal surface.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/593,368 filed Feb. 1, 2012, entitled “Exercise Adapter System,” the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates generally to exercise equipment, and particularly to multiple-function fitness equipment for home or individual use. Some example multiple function exercise equipment includes bodyweight support bars for performing exercises such as pull-ups and push-ups. Some other examples of exercise equipment may include those which maintain a user&#39;s proper skeletomuscular alignment, or provide instability in limited directions to both engage the core of a user, such as exercise bars with variable or sliding grip separation. 
         [0003]    The apparatus in this disclosure solves the problem of providing a sliding push-up bar and pull-up bar in the same device. Prior art products act as push-up stands or pull-up bars alone, or provide only a static frame without sliding handles. Existing push-up stands may consist of two handles elevated from the ground, or as a single bar placed on the floor or against a wall. Prior art combined pull-up/push-up bars do not provide a sliding function. Currently, U.S. Pat. No. 7,892,158 is provided only as a push-up stand with sliding handles, and includes three feet that sit on the ground and hold up the bar system containing the sliding handles. The apparatus in current disclosure provides horizontally sliding and rotating handles, in a push-up bar and pull-up bar combination. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    A fitness apparatus has an elongated main body, comprised of two bar sections connected rigidly in-line by opposite arms of a T-connector. Each bar section includes a sliding handle between a pair of retaining collars near each end of each tube section. The diameter constricts or tapers at each end of each bar section, the end generally the section from the retaining collar to the end of the bar. A radius elbow having a foot locks to the end of each bar section. 
         [0005]    A first adapter for a first pull-up setting includes a crossbar affixed to an elbow tube slidably locked to the perpendicular leg of the T-connector. The apparatus may be mounted above a door frame to provide a horizontal bar for exercises such as sliding grip pull ups. The slidable lock between the T-connector and elbow tube allows the fitness apparatus to accommodate walls of various widths. 
         [0006]    A second adapter for a second push-up setting includes a third foot fitted to a perpendicular leg of the T-connector. The apparatus may be set on a horizontal surface for sliding grip push-ups. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    The foregoing and other features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only several embodiments in accordance with the disclosure and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the disclosure will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings. 
           [0008]    In the drawings: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a front plan view of an exemplary fitness apparatus in accordance with the disclosure; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a back plan view of the exemplary fitness apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the exemplary fitness apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an exemplary tube section of the fitness apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an exemplary door frame adapter; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an exemplary T-connector; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an exemplary elbow tube, cross bar and T-connector; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is an exemplary fitness apparatus in a first setting;  FIG. 8(   a ) shows the mounting side;  FIG. 8(   b ) shows the front side; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is an exemplary fitness apparatus in a second setting;  FIG. 9(   a ) shows an exemplary floor adapter foot; and  FIG. 9(   b ) shows perspective view of an exemplary fitness apparatus in a second setting. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be used, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the Figures, may be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated and make part of this disclosure. 
         [0019]    Methods, systems, devices, and/or apparatus related to fitness equipment are described. Some example embodiments according to the present disclosure may pertain to adjustable exercise bars with multiple settings, for developing upper-body and core strength. 
         [0020]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , perspective views of an exemplary embodiment of the fitness apparatus  100  are shown.  FIG. 1  is a front plan view of apparatus  100 , as a user may approach apparatus  100  for use.  FIG. 2  is a back plan view of apparatus  100  from the mounted side of a wall.  FIG. 3  is a perspective view of apparatus  100 , to discern lateral aspects of apparatus  100 . 
         [0021]    Apparatus  100  may be comprised of two generally identical elongated bars,  102   a  and  102   b , which may be referred to as a single reference numeral  102  for simplicity. Each bar  102   a  and  102   b  includes two retaining collars  103   a  and  103   b ; and  103   c  and  103   d  respectively, located near the end of each bar  102 . A T-connector  602  is rigidly disposed between bars  102   a  and  102   b  at the proximal end of each bar  102 , and connecting bars  102   a  and  102   b  in a generally straight line. 
         [0022]    A radius elbow  108  may be attached to each bar  102  at the distal end of bar  102  beyond retaining collar  103 . Radius elbow  108  bends at approximately a 90 degree angle, and each radius elbow  108  includes a foot  110 . Each foot  110  may be flat on the bottom side, and canted on the top side from the center to the edges, to form a stable base and distribute a pressure exerted on bar  102 . Foot  110  is offset from bar  102  by a vertical leg of the radius elbow  108 , and any longer side of foot  110  may be substantially perpendicular to the bar  102 . 
         [0023]    A handle  112  may be disposed on each bar  102 . Each handle  112  slides freely along bar  102 , between retaining collars  103 , which prevent handles  112  from sliding off bars  102 . Retaining collars  103  may be formed of metal or rubber. Handle  112  may be metal, and covered with a grip such as rubber, silicone, plastic, cork, foam, wood. Handle  112  may slide along bar  102  with a sliding mechanism, such as, but not limited to, ball bearings. 
         [0024]      FIG. 3  shows elbow tube  104 , slidably attached to T-connector  602 . Relative to T-connector  602 , elbow tube  104  may have lateral extension  104   a  and vertical extension  104   b . A crossbar  106  may be attached to an elbow tube  104   b  by bolt  114  ( FIG. 2 ), and may be generally parallel to bar  102 . Slot  107  may allow elevation adjustments of apparatus  100 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 4  is a view of an individual bar  102 . Bar  102  is disengaged from T-connector  602  to reveal the ends  402  of bar  102 . Ends  402  may be of a smaller diameter than body of bar  102  to allow uniform diameter across apparatus  100  when bars  102  are fitted into a connection tube. For example, the inner diameter of the connection tube may approximate the outer diameter of bar end  402 . Ends  402  may include rounded, spring-loaded pins  404 . Spring-loaded pins  404  may depress upon the application of pressure, and spring back upon the removal of pressure. For example, pins  404  may be pushed into the interior of bar  102  by T-connector  602  barrel  702  (shown in  FIG. 7 ), and spring-lock into T-connector  602  hole  608 . In alternate embodiments, other connecting and locking mechanisms may be in place, such as a threaded, or a twist lock connection. 
         [0026]      FIG. 5  shows an elevated view of a first adapter  500 , to mount apparatus  100  in a pull-up setting. Elbow tube  104  may include a proximal end  104   a  and a distal end  104   b  which meet at approximately a 90 degree angle. Elbow tube  104  may include end cap  406 . Elbow tube  104   b  may connect to a crossbar  106 . Crossbar  106  may be a hollow or solid rectangular prism, and may include a thin, compressible strip  508  such as felt, on its wall facing side when apparatus  100  is mounted ( FIG. 8 ). In an exemplary embodiment, crossbar  106  may be plastic for weight savings, and reduce wall damage. Bolt  504  and corresponding threaded locking knob  502  extend through a diameter of elbow tube  104   a . Locking knob  502  allows a user to loosen or tighten knob  502  against bolt  504  without tools. 
         [0027]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of T-connector  602  with arm  604  and perpendicular leg  606 , and pin receiving holes  608  in both arm  604  and leg  606 . Perpendicular leg  606  includes an elongated track or slot  610  through its diameter. Slot  610  extends a partial length of leg  606 , may be rounded at the ends, and may be a width sized to fit a threaded portion of bolt  504 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 7  shows adapter  500  attached to T-connector  602 . Elbow tube  104  may be slidably attached to T-tube  602 , and may lock into a position along slot  610 . Elbow tube  104  may be fitted over T-connector  602 , secured together by bolt  504  and knob  502  inserted through elbow tube  104  and slot  606 . Elbow tube  104   a  may telescope along T-connector  602  by sliding bolt  504  along slot  610 . At a desired lateral extension, knob  502  may be tightened to bolt  504  to secure the length. Crossbar  106  may be attached to the interior side of elbow tube  104   b  with bolt  114 , which extends through elbow tube  104   b  into the interior of crossbar  106 . 
         [0029]    Knob  502  may be loosened to allow elbow tube  104   a  to slide along T-connector  602 . Knob  502  may be completely unscrewed and removed from bolt  504 , to allow separation of elbow tube  104  from T-connector  602 , such as for changing between a pull-up and a push-up setting of apparatus  100 . 
         [0030]    In a first setting of an exemplary embodiment,  FIG. 8A  and  FIG. 8B  show apparatus  100  mounted over a door frame  802  on a wall  800 . Apparatus  100  may be mounted by placing the crossbar  106  over a ledge of the door frame  802  on a first side of a wall  800 , resting the feet against the second side of the wall  800 . Elbow tube  104  may be telescoped along T-connector  602  to an appropriate length, and tightening the bolt  504  and threaded knob  502 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 8A  shows crossbar  106  on a ledge of a doorframe against a first side of wall  800 , while bar  102  and handles  112  are on a second side of wall  800 . Crossbar  106  opposes a downward force, and a rotational force of apparatus  100 . Apparatus  100  may be adjusted for various wall  800  thickness by sliding elbow tube  104  along T-connector  602  in the steps described above. 
         [0032]      FIG. 8B  shows apparatus  100  mounted to a wall  800  as it would be approached for pull-ups. Feet  110  transfer a rotational force of bar  102  into wall  800 . Because crossbar  106  and feet  112  transfer opposing forces into wall  800 , apparatus  100  remains stable over the door frame  802 . Handles  112  freely slide along bar  102  as a user performs pull-ups. 
         [0033]      FIG. 9  is a second, push-up, setting of an exemplary embodiment of apparatus  100 .  FIG. 9A  shows adapter  900 , including foot  912  as it may be connected to T-connector  602  with tube  914 . As shown in  FIG. 9B , adapter  900  and feet  112  elevate bar  102  above a horizontal surface. Handle  112  may freely slide along bar  102 . For increased stability, any longer length of each foot  112  and  912  may be rotated to lie perpendicular to bar  102 .

Technology Classification (CPC): 0