Abstract:
A modular exercise platform and method for assembling the same. A modular exercise platform may include two short tubes arranged parallel to each other; two long tubes arranged parallel to each other and perpendicular to the two short tubes thereby defining a rectangular frame including four junctions between the two short tubes and the two long tubes; and four gussets, each arranged at one of the four junctions.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a non-provisional application of prior pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/601,207, filed Feb. 21, 2012, and entitled MODULAR EXERCISE PLATFORM, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field 
         [0003]    Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to exercise equipment. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to a modular exercise platform. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Exercise platforms are known in the prior art. Two specific examples include dead lift platforms and Olympic weightlifting platforms. A typical dead lift platform may include a frame surrounding a substrate. An athlete may stand on the substrate while performing a dead lift of a barbell. Elastic bands may be attached to dead lift platform and may pass over the barbell to provide progressive resistance in addition to the weight of the barbell. A typical Olympic weightlifting platform may include a frame surrounding a substrate. An athlete may stand on the substrate while performing a variety of weight lifting exercises. 
         [0006]    It is desirable to provide an improved exercise platform. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a modular exercise platform may be provided. The modular exercise platform may include two short tubes arranged parallel to each other; two long tubes arranged parallel to each other and perpendicular to the two short tubes thereby defining a rectangular frame including four junctions between the two short tubes and the two long tubes; and four gussets, each arranged at one of the four junctions. 
         [0008]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a modular exercise platform may be provided. The modular exercise platform may include two short tubes arranged parallel to each other; two long tubes arranged parallel to each other and perpendicular to the two short tubes thereby defining a rectangular frame including four junctions between the two short tubes and the two long tubes; and four gussets, each arranged at one of the four junctions. Each of the four gussets may include a top member, a first side member, and a second side member. The modular exercise platform may further include a plurality of floor plates parallel to and between the two short tubes. The ends of the plurality of floor plates extend into floor plate slots of the two long tubes. The modular exercise platform may further include a plurality of substrate inserts inserted into the rectangular frame. The two long tubes and the two short tubes may be bolted to the four gussets. 
         [0009]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method of assembling a modular exercise platform may be provided. The method may include arranging two short tubes parallel next to one another; arranging two long tubes perpendicular to the short tubes; abutting the two long tubes against the two short tubes thereby creating four junctions of the two short tubes and the two long tubes; and at each of the four junctions of the two short tubes and the two long tubes, attaching a gusset to an end of one of the short tubes and an end of one of the long tubes. The two short tubes and the two long tubes define a frame. 
         [0010]    The foregoing and other aspects will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIGS. 1-3  are schematic representations of a modular exercise platform according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a schematic representation of a top of one of the long tubes of the modular exercise platform of  FIGS. 1-3 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a schematic representation of a side of the long tube of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a schematic representation of a top of one of the short tubes of the modular exercise platform of  FIGS. 1-3 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a schematic representation of a side of the short tube of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a schematic representation of one of the gussets of the modular exercise platform of  FIGS. 1-3 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a schematic representation of an end of a long tube as connected to an end of a short tube by a gusset. 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a schematic representation of one of the floor plates of the modular exercise platform of  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is a schematic representation of one of the band hooks of the modular exercise platform of  FIGS. 1-3 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  is a schematic representation of a band plate. 
           [0021]      FIG. 13  is a schematic representation of one of the floor clips of the modular exercise platform of  FIGS. 1-3 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 14  is a schematic representation of the center and side inserts of the modular exercise platform of  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
           [0023]      FIGS. 15-19  are schematic representations of an exemplary method of assembling the modular exercise platform of  FIGS. 1-3 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the like elements throughout. The embodiments are described below to explain the present invention by referring to the figures. 
         [0025]    As used in the description of this application, the terms “a”, “an” and “the” may refer to one or more than one of an element (e.g., item or act). Similarly, a particular quantity of an element may be described or shown while the actual quantity of the element may differ. The terms “and” and “or” may be used in the conjunctive or disjunctive sense and will generally be understood to be equivalent to “and/or”. Elements from an embodiment may be combined with elements of another. No element used in the description of this application should be construed as critical or essential to the invention unless explicitly described as such. Further, when an element is described as “connected,” “coupled,” or otherwise linked to another element, it may be directly linked to the other element, or intervening elements may be present. 
         [0026]    An embodiment of the present invention may provide a modular exercise platform. The component pieces of the exercise platform may be easily assembled such as by bolting the pieces together. Features such as dead lift bands may be easily attached to a frame of the modular exercise platform. Accordingly, different platform configurations may be possible. Further, the component pieces of the modular exercise platform may be easily and more cost effectively manufactured, handled, shipped, and assembled. 
         [0027]      FIGS. 1-3  are schematic representations of a modular exercise platform  100  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The modular exercise platform  100  may include a frame  102  surrounding a substrate  104  (partially shown in  FIG. 2 ). The modular exercise platform may be a deadlift platform. 
         [0028]    The frame  102  may include two long tubes  106  opposite to one another and two short tubes  108  opposite to one another. An end of a long tube  106  may be connected to an end of short tube  108  by a gusset  110 . The long and short tubes  106 ,  108  may be connected via gussets  110  to form a rectangular shape. An interior of the rectangular shape defined by the frame  102  may receive the substrate  104 . 
         [0029]    The long and short tubes  106 ,  108  may rectangular tubes each having a top, bottom, and sides.  FIG. 4  is a schematic representation of a top of one of the long tubes  106  of the modular exercise platform of  FIGS. 1-3 .  FIG. 5  is a schematic representation of a side of the long tube  106  of  FIG. 4 . The top of the long tube  106  may be solid. The side of the long tube  106  may include gusset holes  116  and band hook holes  118 . The side of the long tube  106  may include floor plate slots  134 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 6  is a schematic representation of a top of one of the short tubes  108  of the modular exercise platform of  FIGS. 1-3 .  FIG. 7  is a schematic representation of a side of the short tube  108  of  FIG. 6 . The top of the short tube  108  may be solid. The sides of the short tube  108  may include gusset holes  116 . 
         [0031]    The gusset holes  116  and band hook holes  118  of the long and short tubes  106 ,  108  may be square to receive a carriage bolt shoulder. By using carriage bolts inserted from the inside of the frame  102 , protrusions from the inside of the frame  102  may be minimized thereby minimizing interference with the substrate  104 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 8  is a schematic representation of one of the gussets  110  of the modular exercise platform of  FIGS. 1-3 . The gusset  110  includes a first side member  120 , a second side member  122 , and a top member  124 . The gusset  110  may be formed of a single piece of steel and the first and second side members  120  and  122  may be bent downward relative to the top member  124 . The first and second side members  120  and  122  may be welded along a seam  126  between the first and second side members  120  and  122 . The first side member  120  and the second side member  122  may each include a tube hole  128 . The tube holes  128  may be round to each receive a threaded end of a carriage bolt. 
         [0033]      FIG. 9  is a schematic representation of an end of a long tube  106  as connected to an end of a short tube  108  by a gusset  110 . The end of the long tube  106  may abut a second side member  122  of the gusset  110 . In contrast, the end of the short tube  108  may abut the long tube  106 . Carriage bolts  130  may go into gusset holes  116  of the long and short tubes  106 ,  108 , through the long and short tubes  106 ,  108 , and out through tube holes  128  of the gusset  110 . Washers and nuts  132  may connect to the threaded ends of the carriage bolts  130  to connect the end of the long tube  106 , the end of the short tube  108 , and the gusset  110 . The gusset  110  also may cover the joint of the long and short tubes  108  and also may help to trap the substrate. 
         [0034]    The frame  102  may include two floor plates  112 . The floor plates  112  may be parallel to the short tubes  108  and perpendicular to the long tubes  106 . Ends of each floor plate  112  may be inserted into the floor plate slots  134  of the long tubes  106 . Because floor plate slots  134  may be located at a bottom of a side of the long tubes  106 , the floor plates  112  may abut a flooring surface and the substrate  104  may be mounted within the frame  102 . A portion of the substrate  104  may be positioned in a plane similar to the floor plates  112  and another portion of the substrate  104  above the floor plates  112 .  FIG. 10  is a schematic representation of one of the floor plates  112  of the modular exercise platform of  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The floor plate  112  may include floor plate holes  136 . Fastening members such as bolts or anchors may pass through floor plate holes  136  up from the flooring surface or down through the flooring surface and may connect the modular exercise platform  100  to the flooring surface. In alternative embodiments, different numbers of floor plates may be provided. 
         [0035]    The frame  102  may include band hooks  114 . The band hooks  114  may be connected to the long tubes  106 .  FIG. 11  is a schematic representation of one of the band hooks  114  of the modular exercise platform of  FIGS. 1-3 . The band hook  114  may include a band plate  138  and a band peg  140 . The band peg  140  may be welded a top of the band plate  138 .  FIG. 12  is a schematic representation of a band plate  138 . The band plate  138  may include band plate holes  142 . The band plate holes  142  may be round to each receive a threaded end of a carriage bolt. Carriage bolts may go into band hook holes  118 , through the long tubes  108 , and out through the band plate holes  142 . Nuts may connect to the threaded ends of the carriage bolts to connect the band hooks  114  to the long tubes  108 . 
         [0036]    Floor clips  144  may be used to connect the modular exercise platform  100  to the flooring surface.  FIG. 13  is a schematic representation of one of the floor clips  144  of the modular exercise platform of  FIGS. 1-3 . The floor clip  144  may include a top member  146 , a side member  148 , and a bottom member  150 . The bottom member  150  may include a clip hole  152 . When installed, the top member  146  and side member  148  of the floor clip  144  may abut the top member and side member of the long or short tubes  106 ,  108 . A fastening member such as a bolt or anchor may pass through clip hole  152  up from the flooring surface or down through the flooring surface and may connect the modular exercise platform  100  to the flooring surface. The floor clip  144  may not need to be welded to the long and short tubes  106 ,  108  but rather may be held in place by the fastening member passing through the clip hole  152  and by virtue of other floor clips  144  installed at different positions on the frame  102 . 
         [0037]    The substrate  104  may be formed of a combination of rubber and wood. Specifically, the substrate  104  may include a wood layer and a rubber layer. The wood layer may include a center insert  156  and two side inserts  154 .  FIG. 14  is a schematic representation of the center and side inserts  156  and  154  of the modular exercise platform of  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The rubber layer may include rubber inserts (e.g., tiles) that may be placed over the wood layer and the floor plates  112  and may be sized similarly or differently from the center insert  156  and the two side inserts  154 . All or part of the substrate  104  may be provided with the modular exercise platform  100  or may be athlete or installer provided. In alternative embodiments, the substrate may be all wood or all rubber, depending on athlete or installer preference. Further, different quantity and size combinations of layers may be provided. 
         [0038]    Other than the substrate, all or part of the remaining modular exercise platform  100  may be formed of metal. For example, the long and short tubes  106 ,  108  may be formed of laser cut flat steel that may be bent into a desired shape. However, the invention is not so limited. For example, in an alternative embodiment, all or part of the substrate may be formed of metal. In another alternative embodiment, all or part of the modular squat stand system may be formed of alternative materials. 
         [0039]      FIGS. 15-19  are schematic representations of an exemplary method of assembling the modular exercise platform of  FIGS. 1-3 . In a frame assembly operation, short tubes  108  and floor plates  112  may be arranged parallel next to one another as shown in  FIG. 15 . The long tubes  106  may be arranged perpendicular to the floor plates  112  and the short tubes  108  to start to form a rectangular shape. As the long tubes  106  are brought closer together, ends of the floor plates  112  may be inserted into the floor plate slots  134  of the long tubes  106 . Upon bringing the long tubes  106  against the short tubes  108 , both ends of each floor plate  112  may be secured within the floor plate slots  134  and the rectangular shape may be completed. 
         [0040]      FIG. 16  is a schematic representation of a gusset attachment operation. The end of short tube  108  may abut the end of the long tube  106  (as shown in  FIG. 15 ). The gusset  110  may be placed over the ends of the short and long tubes  108 ,  106 . Gusset holes  116  ( FIG. 15 ) of the long and short tubes  106 ,  108  may be aligned with tube holes  128  of the gusset  110 . Carriage bolts  130  may be inserted into gusset holes  116  of the long and short tubes  106 ,  108 . Carriage bolts  130  may go through the long and short tubes  106 ,  108 , through gusset holes  116 , and out through tube holes  128  of the gusset  110 . Washers and nuts  132  may be placed on and be connected to the threaded ends of the carriage bolts  130  to connect the end of the long tube  108 , the end of the short tube  108 , and the gusset  110 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 17  is a schematic representation of a band hook attachment operation. Band plate holes  142  of band plate  138  may be aligned with band hook holes  118  of the long tubes  106 . Carriage bolts may be inserted into the gusset holes of the long and short tubes  106 ,  108 . Carriage bolts may go through the long and short tubes  106 ,  108 , through gusset holes  116 , and out through band plate holes  142  of band plate  138 . Washers and nuts may be placed on and be connected to the threaded ends of the carriage bolts  130  to connect the band hooks  114  to the long tubes  108 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 18  is a schematic representation of a substrate insertion operation. Side inserts  154  and center insert  156  may be lowered into frame  102  and placed on a flooring surface. Floor plates  112  and short tubes  108  and a portion of long tubes  106  may surround each side insert  154 . Floor plates  112  and a portion of long tubes  106  may surround the center insert  156 . After the wood layer (side inserts  154 , center insert  156 ) is inserted, the rubber layer may be inserted. Rubber inserts (e.g., tiles or a single rubber sheet) may be placed over the wood layer and the floor plates  112 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 19  is a schematic representation of a platform anchoring operation. Fastening members such as anchors or bolts may pass through floor plate holes  136  of the floor plates  136  down through the flooring surface or up from the flooring surface and may connect the modular exercise platform  100  to the flooring surface. After holes are drilled in the flooring surface, anchors may be inserted down through floor plate holes  136  and installed into the drilled holes. Alternatively, floor plate holes  136  may be aligned with bolts extending up from the flooring surface and the frame  102  may be lowered into position. In the case of bolts, washers and nuts may be placed on and connected to the threaded ends of the bolts. 
         [0044]    Floor clips  144  may also be used to connect the modular exercise platform  100  to the flooring surface. Top and side members  146 ,  148  of the floor clips may be placed against top and side members of the long or short tubes  106 ,  108  around the outside of the frame  102 . Fastening members such as anchors or bolts may pass through clip holes  152  of the bottom members  150  of the floor clips  144  down through the flooring surface or up from the flooring surface and may connect the modular exercise platform  100  to the flooring surface. After holes are drilled in the flooring surface, anchors may be inserted down through clip holes  152  and installed into the drilled holes. Alternatively, clip holes may be aligned with bolts extending up from the flooring surface and the floor clips  144  may be lowered into position. In the case of bolts, washers and nuts may be placed on and connected to the threaded ends of the bolts. 
         [0045]    Although the modular exercise platform shown in the figures may be sized and configured as a dead lift platform, the invention is not so limited. For example, in an alternative embodiment, the length and width of the frame of the modular exercise platform may be extended by a distance (e.g., 2 feet) and certain features (e.g., band hooks  114 ) may not be included thereby providing an Olympic weightlifting platform. Similarly, other modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present invention. For example, although certain features are described as welded to other features, in alternative embodiments such features may not be welded or may be formed as a single feature. 
         [0046]    Embodiments of the present invention may provide multiple advantages. For example, the modular exercise platform may be easily assembled such as by bolting the pieces together. Features such as dead lift bands may be easily attached to the frame of the modular exercise platform such that different platform configurations may be possible. Manufacture of the component pieces of the platform may be simpler and more cost efficient in that different platform configurations and sizes may require similar parts. Further, handling and shipping of the unassembled component pieces may be considerably easier and far less costly than handling and shipping of welded together or assembled platforms. Further, installation may be as simple as bolting together the platform. 
         [0047]    Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.