Abstract:
A stationary exercise apparatus includes features for performing a variety of exercises including pull-ups, dips, push-ups, squats, crunches, and leg raises. The apparatus includes a frame, a horizontal bar, a plurality of handles, and a floor mat. The frame includes a pair of vertical uprights extending upward from a flat base and provides an attachment support to the horizontal bar at a top end. The frame also includes a plurality of pairs of handles which provide grasping members for the operator to use during various types of exercises. The apparatus includes an open area between the frames to receive the floor mat for performing floor-based exercises.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to exercise equipment, and in particular, to stationary exercise apparatus for performing various body weight exercises on a single piece of equipment. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Physical fitness and improved health are among the areas of highest concern and popularity in people today. More than ever, people are frequenting health clubs and performing exercise routines at home in order to lose weight, improve muscle tone, and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Often such workouts are intended for general body strengthening or rehabilitation after surgery. Whatever the reason, there are literally thousands of different machines designed to strengthen and improve various muscle groups. Such machines strengthen arm and chest areas, while others concentrate on biceps and triceps areas, and yet others concentrate on back and shoulder areas. 
     While these various machines may achieve their particular objectives, each suffers from at least one (1) disadvantage and deficiency based on design, function, or utilization. Particularly, most of the weight machines are large, bulky, and heavy; making them almost impossible to move. Other machines which utilize the body weight of the users are flimsy and prone to malfunction or failure. Additionally, these machines typically limit the type of exercises performed to those for which the machine was specifically designed for, which requires numerous machines for a total body workout. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventor has recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and lack in the art and observed that there is a need for exercise equipment which maximizes workouts, provides such workouts for a maximum number of body parts, and limits the number of machines needed for such workouts. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present embodiments of the invention to solve at least one (1) of these problems. The inventor has addressed this need by developing a stationary full-body exercise apparatus that provides users the capability to perform total body exercises at virtually any location in a manner which is quick, easy, and effective, while being performed with a minimal amount of equipment that is easily portable. 
     The inventor has thus realized the advantages and benefits of providing an exercise apparatus having generally having a first frame, a second frame, and a rear base. 
     The first frame includes a generally rectangular first base adapted to lay flat on a floor surface and a generally “L”-shaped first upright affixed to a top surface of the first base. A first lower front handle is affixed between the top surface of the first base and a lower end of the first upright. A first upper front handle is affixed to a side of an upper end of the first upright. A first upper rear handle is affixed to an opposing side of the upper end of the first upright. 
     The second frame includes a generally rectangular second base adapted to lay flat on said floor surface and a generally “L”-shaped second upright affixed to a top surface of the second base. A second lower front handle is affixed between the top surface of the second base and a lower end of the second upright. A second upper front handle is affixed to a side of an upper end of the second upright. A second upper rear handle is affixed to an opposing side of the upper end of said second upright. 
     The rectangular rear base is adapted to lay flat on the floor surface and is attachable between the first frame and the second frame such that the first frame is spaced apart from and is parallel to the second frame defining an open area. The rear base includes a rear handle affixed to a top surface. A cross bar is supported horizontally between the upper end of the first upright and the upper end of said second upright. 
     Furthermore, the described features and advantages of the disclosure may be combined in various manners and embodiments as one skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The disclosure can be practiced without one (1) or more of the features and advantages described in a particular embodiment. 
     Further advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a stationary full-body exercise apparatus in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an opposing perspective exploded view of the stationary full-body exercise apparatus; 
         FIG. 3  is an in-use perspective view of the stationary full-body exercise apparatus; 
         FIG. 4  is in-use perspective view of the stationary full-body exercise apparatus; 
         FIG. 5  is an in-use perspective view of the stationary full-body exercise apparatus; and, 
         FIG. 6  is an in-use perspective view of the stationary full-body exercise apparatus. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  stationary full-body exercise apparatus 
               11  operator 
               20  first frame structure 
               21  first base member 
               22  first upright 
               23  first lower front handle 
               24  first upper front handle 
               25  first upper rear handle 
               26  first protective collar 
               27  first receiving slot 
               30  second frame structure 
               31  second base member 
               32  second upright 
               33  second lower front handle 
               34  second upper front handle 
               35  second upper rear handle 
               36  second protective collar 
               37  second receiving slot 
               40  mounting ear 
               41  aperture 
               42  fastener 
               50  rear base member 
               51  interlocking member 
               52  rear handle 
               55  cross bar 
               60  mat 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In accordance with the invention, the best mode is presented in terms of a preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 6 . However, the disclosure is not limited to a single described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the disclosure and that any such work around will also fall under its scope. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure, and only one particular configuration may be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 through 4 , depicting a stationary full-body exercise apparatus (herein described as an “apparatus”)  10 , where like reference numerals represent similar or like parts. In accordance with the invention, the present disclosure describes the apparatus  10  for increasing physical fitness and promoting a healthier lifestyle of an operator  11 . The apparatus  10  allows the operator  11  to perform various strengthening exercises with a single machine that targets various body parts to maximize the workout and reduces the workout time and number of workout equipment needed. 
       FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of view of the apparatus  10 . The apparatus  10  generally includes an interlocking frame having a first frame structure  20 , a second frame structure  30 , and a rear base member  50 , all of which allow the operator  11  to perform various different targeted strength building exercises. The first frame structure  20  opposes the second frame structure  30  and each is stabilized by the rear base member  50 . The apparatus  10  also includes a plurality of handles  23 ,  24 ,  25 ,  33 ,  34 ,  35 ,  52  to provide the operator  11  with a gripping surface during the various selected exercises. The first frame structure  20 , the second frame structure  30 , and the rear base member  50  are fabricated from a strong and durable material, such as steel, yet other materials can be utilized without limiting the scope of the invention. 
     The apparatus  10  also includes a removable mat  60  which provides a padded surface placed on a generally level surface near the operator  11  during certain exercises for comfort. The mat  60  is placed between the first frame structure  20  and the second frame structure  30  for illustration purposes and it is can be appreciated that other positions can be utilized without limiting the scope of the invention. The mat  60  measures approximately twenty-three (23) inches in width and thirty-six (36) inches in length and is fabricated from a rubber, vinyl cover foam, or similar material which promotes comfort and durability. 
       FIG. 2  shows an exploded perspective view of the apparatus  10  from a vantage opposite of  FIG. 1 . The first frame structure  20 , the second frame structure  30 , and the rear base member  50  are connected together and work in conjunction to form a sturdy, unitary exercise structure for use by the operator  11 . The exercise structures  20 ,  30  and rear base member  50  are attachable to provide for simple disassembly for storage purposes. The first frame structure and second frame structure  30  are mirror images of each other having identical features to provide the operator  11  symmetry during use. 
     The first frame structure  20  includes a first base member  21  for contact with the ground surface and providing a sturdy base for the apparatus  10 . The first base member  21  measures approximately three (3) inches in width and thirty-six (36) inches in length. Each opposing end of the first base member  21  includes a mounting ear  40  which has an aperture  41  to accept a fastener  42  for securing the first frame structure  20  to the support surface to prevent movement of the apparatus  10  during use. A proximal end portion of the first base member  21  also includes a first receiving slot  27  which interlockingly receives an end of the rear base member  50 . An “L”-shaped first upright  22  is perpendicularly affixed to an upper surface of the first base member  21 . The first upright  22  measures approximately forty (40) inches in height. The first upright  22  is preferably welded onto the first base member  21 , yet other attachment methods can be utilized without equal benefit. 
     A generally “L”-shaped first lower front handle  23  is attached between a lower front portion of the first upright  22  and the upper surface of the first base member  21 . The first lower front handle  23  provides a gripping surface for the operator  11  to grasp during certain exercises. The exterior surface of the first lower front handle  23  can include knurled ridges which increase the user&#39;s grip comfort. 
     A linear first upper front handle  24  and a linear first upper rear handle  25  extend outwardly from opposing sides of an upper vertical portion of the first upright  22 . The upper front and rear handles  24 ,  25  provide additional gripping surfaces for certain other exercises or provide a positioning and support surface for a cross bar  55 . The first upper front handle  24  is positioned upon a front upper surface of the first upright  22  and the first upper rear handle  25  is positioned upon a rear upper surface of the first upright  22  aligned with the first upper front handle  24 , both upper front and rear handles  24 ,  25  being parallel to the first base member  21 . An exterior surface of the first upper front handle  24  and first upper rear handle  25  also include knurled ridges which increase the user&#39;s grip comfort. The first handles  23 ,  24 ,  25  are attached by welding, however it can be appreciated that other attachment methods can be utilized. 
     The second frame structure  30  includes a second base member  31  for contact with the ground surface parallel to the first base member and providing a sturdy base for the apparatus  10 . The second base member  31  measures approximately three (3) inches in width and thirty-six (36) inches in length. Each opposing end of the second base member  31  includes a mounting ear  40  having an aperture  41  to accept a fastener  42  for securing the second frame structure  30  to the ground surface to prevent movement of the apparatus  10  during use. A proximal end portion of the second base member  31  includes a second receiving slot  37  which interlockingly receives the rear base member  50 . An “L”-shaped second upright  32  is perpendicularly affixed to an upper front surface of the second base member  31 . The second upright  32  measures approximately forty (40) inches in height. The second upright  32  is preferably welded onto the second base member  31 , yet other methods can be utilized with equal benefit. 
     A generally “L”-shaped second lower front handle  33  is attached between a lower front portion of the second upright  32  and the upper surface of the second base member  31 . The second lower front handle  33  provides a gripping surface for the operator  11  to grasp during certain exercises. The exterior surface of the second lower front handle  33  can include knurled ridges which increase the user&#39;s grip comfort. 
     A linear second upper front handle  34  and a linear second upper rear handle  35  extend outwardly from opposing sides of an upper vertical portion of the second upright  32 . The upper front and rear handles  34 ,  35  provide additional gripping surfaces for certain other exercises or provide a positioning and support surface for the cross bar  55 . The second upper front handle  34  is positioned upon a front upper surface of the second upright  32  and the second upper rear handle  35  is positioned upon a rear upper surface of the second upright  32  aligned with the second upper front handle  24 , both second upper front and rear handles  34 ,  35  being parallel to the second base member  31 . An exterior surface of the second upper front handle  34  and second upper rear handle  35  also include knurled ridges which increase the user&#39;s grip comfort. The second handles  33 ,  34 ,  35  are attached by welding, however it can be appreciated that other attachment methods can be utilized. 
     The rear base member  50  interlocks between the first frame structure  20  and the second frame structure  30  and secures the apparatus  10  in a stable position. The rear base member  50  separates the first base member  21  from the second base member  31  by approximately twenty-four (24) inches. The twenty-four (24) inch space is utilized by the operator  11  during exercising. Opposing ends of the rear base member  50  include integral interlocking members  51  which engagingly mate to a respective receiving slot  27 ,  37  to connect the apparatus  10 . An upper surface of the rear base member  50  includes a rear handle  52  having a generally elongated, inverted “U”-shape and a knurled ridge on an exterior surface which increases the user&#39;s grip comfort. The rear handle  52  is attached to the rear base member  50  by welding, however other attachment methods can be utilized with equal benefit. 
     The apparatus  10  also includes a mountable cross bar  55  which provides the operator  11  a graspable surface to suspend from while performing certain other exercises. The cross bar  55  is a rigid, elongated rod which measures approximately thirty (30) inches in length with a diameter suitable for the operator  11  to grip. The cross bar  55  is positionable and supportable across an upper surface of the upper front handles  24 ,  34  or upper rear handles  25 ,  35 . The exterior surface of the cross bar  55  can include knurled ridges which increase the user&#39;s grip comfort. 
     A first protective collar  26  is affixed to an end portion of the cross bar  50  and encompasses over the upper exterior surface of the first upright  22  to secure the cross bar  50  to the first frame structure  20  during use. The first protective collar  26  rests upon the upper surfaces of the first upper front handle  24  and rear handle  25 . The first protective collar  26  is a durable rubber or metal material which prevents marring due to movements against the surface of the first upright  22 . An exterior surface of the first protective collar  26  is attached by welding to the cross bar  55  to secure in position when utilized on the apparatus  10  and is easily removed. 
     A second protective collar  36  is affixed to an opposing end portion of the cross bar  50  and encompasses over the upper exterior surface of the second upright  32  to secure the cross bar  50  to the second frame structure  30  during use. The second protective collar  36  rests upon the upper surfaces of the second upper front handle  34  and rear handle  35 . The second protective collar  36  is a durable rubber or metal material which prevents marring due to movements against the surface of the second upright  32 . An exterior surface of the second protective collar  36  is attached by welding to the cross bar  55  to secure in position when utilized on the apparatus  10  and is easily removed. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 through 6 , which show various in-use views of the apparatus  10 .  FIG. 3  depicts an operator  11  utilizing the upper front handles  24 ,  34  to perform certain exercises. The operator  11  can do exercise such as, but not limited to: dips, support free squats, various stretches, or the like. The upper rear handles  25 ,  35  can also be utilized in a similar manner as the upper front handles  24 ,  34  to perform the above-mentioned exercises.  FIG. 4  depicts the operator  11  utilizing the cross bar  55 . The cross bar  55  is laid across and is supported by the upper rear handles  25 ,  35  or upper front handles  24 ,  34  to allow the operator  11  to perform certain exercise such as, but not limited to: pull-ups, chin-ups, or the like.  FIG. 5  depicts the operator  11  utilizing the rear handle  52  to perform certain exercises. The rear handle  52  is utilized for exercises such as, but not limited to: push-ups, close grip push-ups, frog kicks, scissor kicks, triceps dips, or the like.  FIG. 6  depicts the operator  11  utilizing the front handles  23 ,  33 . The front handles  23 ,  33  are utilized for the operator  11  to perform certain exercises such as, but not limited to: push-ups, leg raises, frog kicks, or the like. 
     It can be appreciated by one skilled in the art that other styles and configurations of the invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure and only one particular configuration has been shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     In accordance with the invention, the preferred embodiment can be utilized by the user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the apparatus  10 , it is installed and utilized as indicated in  FIGS. 1 through 4 . 
     The method of installing the apparatus  10  can be achieved by performing a series of steps. It can be appreciated that the steps described can be performed in alternative order and as such should not be viewed as a limiting factor. Acquiring the apparatus  10 . Positioning the base members  21 ,  31  on a generally level surface with each upright  22 ,  32  in an upright vertical orientation. Mating each interlocking member  51  into a respective receiving slot  27 ,  37 . Inserting fasteners  42  into each aperture  41  upon each mounting ear  40 . Positioning the mat  60  into a desired position. Positioning the cross bar  55  upon the respective upper handles,  24 ,  25 ,  34 ,  35  and engaging the protective collars  26 ,  36  over the first and second upright  22 ,  32 . Utilizing the handles  23 ,  24 ,  25 ,  33 ,  34 ,  35 ,  52  as desired to perform selected certain exercises. Enabling operators  11  the capability to perform total body exercises at virtually any location in a manner which is quick, easy, and effective while being performed with a minimal amount of equipment. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Various modifications and variations can be appreciated by one skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. The embodiments have been chosen and described in order to best explain the principles and practical application in accordance with the invention to enable those skilled in the art to best utilize the various embodiments with expected modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the invention.