Abstract:
A modular kit of parts creates structures to store and suspend equipment used for physical fitness. A structure can be created that can store fitness equipment such as exercise balls, dumb bells, kettle bells and the like. Further, the structure can incorporate exercise bars, and can store and deploy such equipment as suspension straps, punching bags, heavy bags, yoga straps, which are suspended from multi axial pivoting anchors that afford no frictional resistance when the equipment is utilized for exercise.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to modular structures and, more particularly, modules capable of being assembled into various articles of fitness facility equipment with the capability of storing and/or suspending various exercise accessories. 
         [0003]    2. General Background and State of the Art 
         [0004]    In most fitness facilities, structures to store and/or suspend equipment and accessories are individually created. Exercise apparatus generally requires a separate structure to accommodate it. Other structures such as vertically aligned parallel bars are installed as a wall fixture. 
         [0005]    There are sources of modular equipment that can provide structures that can fit in spaces using standardized elements that are adjustable so that skilled installers are not required. One such system is shown and described in the application to Scaramucci, Publication No. US 2014/0054247. Other systems are designed for installation to a wall or ceiling. However, such structures are not necessarily designed to store equipment as a primary function and to accommodate exercise and physical training equipment that can be deployed for use and retrieved when free floor space is desired. 
       INVENTION SUMMARY 
       [0006]    According to the present invention, a plurality of modular elements have been designed for the unique task of serving a physical fitness facility. These elements can create structures that can be configured into assemblies that store physical training equipment such as exercise balls, dumb bells, kettle bells and the like. Using unique, cantilevered shelves, these items, which collectively can be quite heavy, require special support afforded by the structures of the present invention. 
         [0007]    Because of the weight of the objects that are being stored, the structures should be firmly embedded in the facility floor and some of the modules of the present invention make such attachments both simple and practicable. Using the inventory of modules, additional structures can be fabricated which can be elements of exercise and fitness devices such as suspension straps, climbing bars, punching bags, pull up bars, monkey bars, dip bars, seats, steps and other appliances for facilitating physical fitness exercises. Of course, wherever possible, existing “off the shelf” products will be integrated into the system. 
         [0008]    The basic structural elements are powder coated box tubes of standard length. These can be both vertical and horizontal support members to which u-shaped channel members can be attached. To minimize inventory needs, basic tubes of a standard length are provided. Smaller tube increments can be attached to the standard tube to extend it to a desired greater length 
         [0009]    The u-shaped channel members include a series of slots which accommodate tabs on shelf elements. While tabs and slots are well known combinations for adjustable shelving, the shelves of the present invention include oversized tabs which must be rotated for insertion into the slots. The shelves further include shelf support rods which bear against the channel to resist rotation of a shelf about the tabs when heavy objects are stored on the shelf. In alternative embodiments shelves are provided with pairs of tabs which can utilize more than one slot thereby providing multiple anchor points for the support of heavy equipment. 
         [0010]    Special gussets are provided to cooperate with base plates for resisting tipping forces and other gussets are provided to permit cantilevered box tubes that can extend either to create additional structures or to support athletic equipment suspended therefrom. Parts are assembled utilizing conventional nuts and bolts. Where apertures in the box tubes are used for the connection of other elements that might place substantial stresses on the apertures, a special tube is mounted in the aperture to provide extra wall strength to the coupling device. 
         [0011]    An integral part of the structure designed for the purpose of suspension is a multi-axial pivoting anchor useful in attaching a variety of exercise equipment such as, suspension training straps, punching bags, heavy bags, yoga hammocks, ropes, and the like to the modular structure of the present invention. The anchor is created during the product assembly process. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an assembled apparatus according to the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2 , includes  FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C  where  FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of the base of an upright where it fastens to a substrate while  FIG. 2B  is an exploded view of the structure of  FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2C  is an enlarged view of a portion of the structure; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  includes  FIGS. 3A and 3B  where  FIG. 3A  if a perspective view of the top of an upright with an orthogonal member attached thereto while  FIG. 3B  is an exploded view of  FIG. 3A ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a slotted channel with a shelf installed therein; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the rear of the structure of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  includes  FIGS. 6A and 6B  where  FIG. 6A  is perspective view of the front of a structure supporting shelves while  FIG. 6B  is a rear view of the structure of  FIG. 6A ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is detailed perspective view of the section of  FIG. 1  identified by the reference numeral  7 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the structure of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a plan view of a reinforced beam; 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a side sectional view of the reinforced beam of  FIG. 9 , taken along line  10 - 10  in the direction of the appended arrows: 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is a plan view of an extender module; 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  is a perspective exploded view of the module of  FIG. 11  aligned with a post beam; 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  including  FIGS. 13 a  and 13 b    is a partial view of the structure, showing multi-axial pivoting anchors attached thereto and an exploded view showing the attachment;; 
           [0025]      FIG. 14 , including  FIG. 14 a    which shows the assembled anchor and  FIG. 14 b    which shows the disassembled anchor; 
           [0026]      FIG. 15 , including  FIGS. 15 a  and 15 b    show front and rear views of an alternative shelf mounting structure; 
           [0027]      FIG. 16 , including  FIGS. 16 a  and 16 b    show perspective front and rear views of shelves with the alternative shelf mounting structure of  FIG. 15 ; and 
           [0028]      FIG. 17  is a partial view of an alternative embodiment of the bridge element using flanges to connect components. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0029]    Turning first to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a structure  10  created from the modules of the present invention. As shown, the structure  10  includes a storage rack  12 , wall bars  14 , a storage bay  16 , a bridge element  18  with integral monkey bars  20 . Suspended from the wall bars  14  are a dip bar  22  and a step element  24 . 
         [0030]    The storage rack  12  includes a plurality of shelf elements  26  which can be configured to support balls  28  of various sizes, tubes  30 , and other pieces of gym apparatus such as dumb bells, kettle bells and other weighty objects, none of which are shown as being stored in storage rack  12 . 
         [0031]    Mounted at the top of the storage rack  12  is a cantilever arm  32  with a mounting ring  34  at its outer end from which can be suspended other fitness elements such as training or fitness bags (not shown) or suspension straps  36  shown stored in the storage bay  16 . A second cantilever arm  32 ′ extending from the storage bay  16  supports a pull up bar  38  as does the bridge element  18 . A circle  7  encloses elements which are described in greater detail in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0032]    The basic structural element is the post beam  40  which, in the preferred embodiment is a 6″×2″ tube with a standard length of 7 feet. Shorter tubes (not shown) can be coupled to achieve greater lengths using connector plates  42  which are shown to connect two beams  40  to form the bridge element  18 . Gusset plates  44  connect vertical beams  40  to horizontal beams  40  to create either the cantilever arms  32  or the bridge elements  18 . While, in the preferred embodiments, a u-shaped channel, shown and described in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , is provided to support shelves, in alternative embodiments, the beams  40  can be provided with slots on one or more sides to permit the installation of shelves, support pegs or support arms for the storage of other equipment, such as bar bells. 
         [0033]    Turning next to  FIG. 2  there is shown the structure that allows the assembled structures to be anchored to a floor or other substrate. While  FIG. 2A  shows the finished product, the constituent elements are best seen in  FIG. 2B . A base plate  46  has fastening posts  48  to secure it to a beam  40 . The base plate  46  has apertures  50  through which fastening bolts  52  or floor mounted bolts (not shown) can be inserted. Where bolts  52  are utilized, female threaded anchors  54  are secured into the floor. When the bolts  52  are used to secure the base plate  46  to the floor, it is preferable to use lock washers  56  and flat washers  58 . In alternative embodiments, bolts can be embedded in the floor and the base plate  46  would be secured by nuts and washers. 
         [0034]    In the preferred embodiment, a base gusset comprised of opposing flanged plates  60  is fastened to the beam  40 . At a leading end of the flanges of the flanged plates  60 , best seen in  FIG. 2C , an aperture is provided for an additional bolt  52  for added restraint of the beam  40 . For cosmetic purposes, a foot cover  62  is fastened over the front of the flanged plates  60 . In alternative embodiments, the gusset plates used at the base of the beam  40  serving as a vertical support, could also be used to fasten horizontally oriented beams  40  to be cantilevered. 
         [0035]    Such a connection is illustrated in  FIG. 3 . However, in the preferred embodiment, a different, upper gusset is also comprised of a pair of opposed, flanged upper gusset plates  64 . In alternative embodiments, the same gusset plates could be used at both the top and bottom of the beams  40 . As shown, a horizontally oriented beam  40  is positioned atop a vertically oriented beam  40 . The flanges  66  hold the horizontal beam  40  in place, reducing the stress on the fasteners  68  which connect the gusset plates  64  to both beams  40 . 
         [0036]    Turning next to  FIGS. 4 and 5  where there is shown in front and rear perspective views, a bracket channel  70  according to a preferred embodiment. The bracket channel  70  is adapted to be fastened to a wall of beam  40  to adjustably support shelves, pegs, brackets and other accessories that could be suspended from a beam  40 . The bracket channel  70  is a u-shaped member with aligned elongated slots  72  in the side walls of the channel  70 . 
         [0037]    In the preferred embodiment, shelves are comprised of a bar  74  to which can be attached various brackets  76  that are shaped to accommodate the different accoutrements of fitness training. For example, various support elements are sized to fit different sized exercise balls. Other support elements can hold dumb bells. A plurality of support elements are maintained in inventory to be attached, as needed to a shelf bar  74 . 
         [0038]    At each end of a shelf bar  74  is an end plate  78  which has extending therefrom an elongated tab  80  which is longer than the slots  72 . By tilting the end plate  78 , the tab  80  can be inserted into a slot  72 . Straightening the end plate  78  results in the tab  80  resting in the slot  72 . In alternative embodiments, a notch may be provided on the lower surface of the tab  80  which can engage the lower edge of the slot  72  to lock the end plate  78  in place. 
         [0039]    For additional support, the end plate  78  includes a support arm  82  which has, at its lower end, a support rod  84  that bears against the beam  40 . This arrangement more strongly resists any rotational forces resulting from weighty objects being stored on the shelf. Absent the support arm  82  and rod  84 , stress would be exerted only on the upper part of the tab  80 . With the support arm  82  and rod  84 , rotational forces would be converted into a force that is substantially lateral which can be resisted by both ends of the tab  80 . 
         [0040]    Turning next to  FIGS. 6A and 6B , there is shown a typical storage rack  12 .  FIG. 6A  is a front perspective view and  FIG. 6B  is a rear perspective view. The component parts have been described in earlier Figs. Shown here are alternative brackets for the support of fitness equipment. Common to the illustrated support brackets is the u-shaped cantilevered element which has a linear support brace  86  extending from the outermost end of the bracket to the shelf bar  74 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 7  is a more detailed view of the elements of the bridge structure shown in  FIG. 1 . A bridge connector plate  88  couples two beams  40  together. 
         [0042]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the structure of  FIG. 1  and need not be further described here. 
         [0043]      FIG. 9  is a view of a post beam  40  which has been reinforced with tubular cylinders  90 . These tubular cylinders  90  or crush tubes, bear the forces that result when post beams  40  are connected end-to-end with connecting plates  42  as in the bridge structures of  FIG. 1 . Absent the crush tubes  90 , substantial stresses on the joint might bear on the apertures through which connectors would pass and cause deformations in the beam  40  wall. 
         [0044]    All forces experienced by the connectors are distributed through the crush tubes  90  Because these tubes  90  are welded into place they protect the post beam  40  not only from orthogonal forces that would lead to bending, but also from any deformation of the side wall when the connectors are tightened. 
         [0045]      FIG. 10  is a side view of the beam  40  of  FIG. 9 , and shows the crush tubes in place. As noted above, the tubes  90  are secured in place by welding or other permanent attachment to the beam  40 . Should the connection plates  42  (not shown here) be subjected to forces that might deform the beam  40  walls, the tubes  90  can resist such forces and prevent any deformation. 
         [0046]    Turning next to  FIG. 11 , there is shown an extender module  92  which can add a desired length to a beam  40  for those applications where a longer beam is required. The module  92  is so configured that a plurality can be connected end to end to extend the length by an amount that is less than the length of the beam  40 . The extender module  92  has a first section  94  which has the same circumferential size and shape as a beam  40 . A corrugated portion  96  is anchored in the first portion  94  and is sized to be inserted into a beam  40 . As shown, four holes  98  are placed so that when the corrugated portion  96  is fully inserted into a beam  40  end, the holes in the beam  40  are aligned with the holes  98 . 
         [0047]    The exploded view of  FIG. 12  shows the relationship of the component parts. With the corrugated portion  96  fully seated into the beam  40 , connector elements, here bolts  100 , washers  102  and nuts  104 , fasten the extender module  92  to a beam  40 . 
         [0048]    Pivoting mechanisms  110  are attached to the structure at the ends of the beams  40  and along the bridge element  18  at specific locations as shown in  FIG. 13 a    The pivoting anchors  110  are attached to a post beam  40  by inserting the ends of axle trunion  112  with bearings  116  through holes in adjoining mounting plates  118  which are bolted to the modular structure as shown in  FIG. 13 b   . using bolts  120  which are secured with washers  122  and nuts  124  best seen in  FIG. 13   b.    
         [0049]    In  FIGS. 14A and 14B , there is shown assembled and in exploded view, the multi-axial pivoting anchor  110  which is used to attach a variety of exercise equipment such as, suspension training straps, punching bags, heavy bags, yoga hammocks, ropes, and the like to the modular structure of the present invention and is an integral part of the modular structure. The anchor  110  is created during the product assembly process. 
         [0050]    The pivoting anchor mechanisms  110  is comprised of a central hub or trunion axle  112 , secondary axle  114 , shackle  120 , trunion bearings  116 , center bearing  118 , thrust bearings  119 , and capture bolt  122 . The center bearing  118  is inserted into the trunion axle  112 . Thrust bearings  119  are located between the shackle  120  and trunion axle  112 . The secondary axle  114  is inserted through holes in the end of the shackle  126 , continuing through the thrust bearings  128 , through the center bearing  130  and contained with the capture bolt  132 . The shackle  126  rotates freely around the secondary axle  114 , while the trunion axle  112  rotates freely upon bearings  116   
         [0051]    The pivoting mechanism  110  allows for freedom of movement of any fitness equipment attached to the mechanism because the attached load pivots through two simultaneous axes. This apparatus is a replacement for chains, webbing straps, cables or other means which are attached to a fixed anchor point which creates a resistance to the natural rotating and pivoting nature of an object swinging and or turning through its range of motion. While the pivoting mechanism  110  is shown as attached to a beam, its use is not so limited. The mounting plates  118  can be affixed to any suitable structure such as a wall or ceiling mount, widening the applicability of this element of the present invention. 
         [0052]    Turning next to  FIGS. 15 and 16  where there is shown in front and rear perspective views, an alternative embodiment of apparatus for connecting a shelf bar  76 ′ to the bracket channel  70 . described above in connection with  FIG. 4  In the alternative embodiment, shelf elements  26 ′ are comprised of formed sheet metal of various shapes or designs. As in the above figures, there is provided a-bar  74 ′ to which can be attached-various brackets  76 ′ that are shaped to accommodate the different accoutrements of fitness training. 
         [0053]    At each end of each shelf bar  74 ′ is an end plate  78 ′ which has extending therefrom a pair of elongated tabs  80 ′. The end plate  78 ′ is long enough to utilize more than one slot  72 . The tabs  80 ′ can be inserted into two slots  72  which, in this embodiment, are adjacent. As a result, two tabs  80 ′ rest in two slots  72 . The upper tab  80 ′ provides the resistance against rotations that the support arm  82  of the preferred embodiment provides. 
         [0054]    It should be noted that the use of the u-shaped bracket channel  70  with slots  72  allow shelves or the like to be mounted on both sides of a beam  40  at the same level using either of the disclosed mounting configurations. A pair of back-to-back shelves could accommodate elongated items that might not easily fit on a single shelf, adding greater flexibility to the storage capabilities of the modular structure of the instant invention. 
         [0055]    Turning to  FIG. 17 , there is shown an alternative manner of coupling two beams  40  together. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the beams  40  are joined by a connector plate  42 . Here, an alternative is provided using flange couplers  140  to join beams end-to-end. Each beam  40 ′ is fitted with a flange coupler  140  at its end and beams  40 ′ are connected by bolting adjacent flange couplers  140  together. In a preferred embodiment, the flange couplers  140  are welded to the beam  40 ′ ends. Some beams  40 ′ have a flange at one end but other beams  40 ″ (not shown) have flanges at both ends to create longer structures. 
         [0056]    While the specification describes particular embodiments of the present invention, those of ordinary skill can devise variations of the present invention without departing from the inventive concept. 
         [0057]    The scope of the invention should be limited only by the scope of the claims appended hereto.