US20130102443A1

US20130102443A1 - Vertical exercise equipment

Info

Publication number: US20130102443A1
Application number: US13/277,752
Authority: US
Inventors: Randal L. Lundquist; Jason B. Luedeke; Alan W. Gore; Jonathan R. Wolf
Original assignee: Recreation Supply Inc
Current assignee: Recreation Supply Inc
Priority date: 2011-10-20
Filing date: 2011-10-20
Publication date: 2013-04-25

Abstract

A weightlifting device allowing for a variety of bodyweight exercises to be performed. The device having a foundation and support bars. Hinged arms and a cage extend from the support bars. The cage is adapted to hold an exercise ball. A crossbar is attached to the support bars as well as adjustable abdominal straps.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are directed to exercise equipment. More particularly, exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to a vertical exercise device for use in performing bodyweight exercises.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIVE FIELD

The use of body weight exercises has been recognized as a very effective method of developing strength and fitness. Bodyweight exercises that are typically used in exercise routines include push-ups, decline and incline push-ups, dips and assisted dips, chin-ups and assisted chin-ups, leg squats, and various other exercises and variations thereof.
While it is possible to perform all of the above exercises using a variety of equipment found in a gymnasium or at home, the prior art fails to identify a piece of equipment on which a person may perform all of the above mentioned exercises safely and efficiently. Moreover, requiring several pieces of equipment represents a significant monetary investment making it prohibitive for home exercise. In a gym setting, the need of a single user to use several pieces of equipment possesses several problems such as inconvenience to others waiting on a particular piece of equipment to become available and space requirements for all of the various exercise equipment. Consequently, there is a need for a single exercise device that allows a user to safely and efficiently perform a wide range of bodyweight exercises.

SUMMARY OF THE GENERAL INVENTIVE CONCEPT

An exemplary weightlifting device according the inventive concept includes a foundation. The foundation includes base bars, a cross-member, and a pair of braces. Support bars extend vertically from each base bar and provide the frame for the weightlifting device. The cross-member spans the space between the support bars and maintains proper separation between the support bars. The braces run from the base bars to the support member and may be used in exercises such as inclined push-ups and other exercises.
Hinged arms extend substantially horizontally from the support bars. The hinged arms are hingedly connected to the support bars and may be folded up against the support bars to move them out of the workout envelope when not in use. When fully extended, the hinged bars are substantially horizontal and allow a user to perform exercises such as dips and knee raises.
The top portion of the support bars is bent at an approximately 90 degree angle. Suspended from this top portion are abdominal straps. The abdominal straps are attached to the top portion of the support bars by a multi-position support. The multi-position support allows the abdominal straps to be adjusted horizontally to accommodate different exercises and users. A crossbar is also provided on the top portion of the support bars. The crossbar may be used as a chin-up or pull-up bar.
A novel feature found on exemplary embodiments of the weightlifting device according to the inventive concept, is the cage that extends from the support bars. The cage has a first bar and a second bar. The first bar is attached to the support bars and extends outward from the opposite side of the support bars as the hinged arms. The second bar is attached to and extends downward from the first bar. Both the first and second bars are semi-circular. The cage is designed to hold an exercise ball. The exercise ball may be easily removed for various exercises to be used alone or in conjunction with the exemplary weightlifting device. While the exercise ball is in the cage the ball acts as a back pad. Thus, the exercise ball residing in the cage supports and protects the user during exercises. In other exemplary embodiments the cage may be nylon webbing attached to the support bars. In still other exemplary embodiments the cage may be other configurations of metal bars or straps arranged to hold an exercise ball.
attachment devices may also be located on the exemplary weightlifting device. The attachment devices provide an attachment point for resistance bands. The attachment devices are positioned to provide a variety of possible exercises including squats, assisted chin-ups, pectoral flys, front rows, and a plethora of additional exercises. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the attachment devices may be hooks, loops, slots, or other features allowing for the attachment of the resistance bands.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In addition to the features mentioned above, other aspects of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following descriptions of the drawings and exemplary embodiments, wherein like reference numerals across the several views refer to identical or equivalent features, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the vertical exercise device according to the inventive concept;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the vertical exercise device according to the inventive concept;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the vertical exercise device according to the inventive concept with exemplary arms in an extended configuration; and

FIG. 4 is a side view of the vertical exercise device according to the inventive concept with exemplary arms in a folded configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT(S)

An exemplary embodiment of a vertical exercise device (device) 5 or power tower according to the inventive concept is illustrated in FIGS. 1-4. As shown, the device 5 includes a foundation 10 having a pair of support bars 15 extending vertically therefrom, a pair of hinged arms 20 extending from the support bars 15, crossbar 25 fixed to the upper portion of the support bars 15, and a cage 30 for supporting an exercise ball attached to the rear of the support bars 15.
The foundation 10 has a base bars 35 having elongated bodies and arranged parallel to a support surface. In the exemplary device 5, the base bars 35 have converging axes wherein the distance between the base bars 35 is greater in the front workout area than in the rear of the device 5. A support bar 15 extends vertically from each base bar 35. The support bars 15 may be mechanically fastened to the base bars 35. In other exemplary embodiments, the support bars 15 may be welded or permanently affixed to the base bars 35.
A cross-member 40 is provided between the support bars 15. The cross-member 40 separates the support bars 15 and maintains the proper support bar 15 spacing. A brace 45 extends from each support bar 15 and terminates on the base bars 35. As with other pieces of the device 5, the braces 45 may be removably or permanently affixed thereto.
As stated above, a pair of hinged arms 20 extends from about the midpoint of the support bars 15. In other exemplary embodiments, the hinged arms 20 may extend from any point along the support bars 15. The hinged arms 20 are connected to the support bars 15 by U-shaped brackets 50. The U-shaped bracket 50 extends from and is affixed to a support bar 15. The hinged arm 20 is adapted for complementary engagement with the U-shaped bracket 50; allowing for a hinged type connection. In other exemplary embodiments a pin may be used to connect the hinged arm 20 to the U-shaped bracket 50. The hinged connection allows the hinged arms 20 to fold up against the support bars 15 in order to remove the hinged arms 20 from the workout envelope. The hinged connection is also limited to only allow the hinged arms 20 to extend substantially parallel to the support surface. This allows the hinged arms 20 to be used for exercises such as dips and knee raises.
As shown in FIGS. 1-4, a cage 30 extends from the support bars 15 in the opposing direction as the hinged arms 20. The cage 30 includes a first bar 55 and a second bar 60. The first bar 55 is semi-circular and is attached to each support bar 15. The second bar 60 is attached to and extends downward from the first bar 55. Together the first and second bars 55, 60 are adapted to hold an exercise ball 65 as shown in FIG. 3. The exercise ball 65 held by the cage 30 may act as a back support for users when performing knee raises, pull-ups or other exercises. This ability to provide back support to a user increases the effectiveness of the exercise and helps a user maintain form during the exercise. In other exemplary embodiments the cage 30 may be nylon webbing attached to the support bars 15. In still other exemplary embodiments the cage 30 may be other configurations of metal bars or straps arranged to hold an exercise ball 65.
The top portions 70 of the support bars 15 are bent in the direction of the hinged arms 20. This bend allows additional exercise features to be placed on the top portions 70 of the support bars 15. In other exemplary embodiments, the top portions 70 of the support bars 15 are bent at an angle between about 30 to 90 degrees. A multi-position support 75 is affixed to each top portion 70. The multi-position support 75 is an attachment point for abdominal straps 80 or other exercise features. The multi-position support 75 provides several attachment points for the abdominal straps 80 in order to accommodate a variety of exercises and users. One of ordinary skill in the art should understand that multi-position support 75 may be a slot, nylon webbing straps, other attachment mechanism. The combination of the abdominal straps 80 and the exercise ball 65 held in the cage 30 replace traditional vertical keen raise arms mounted on traditional power towers.
A crossbar 25 is also affixed to the top portion 70 of the support bars 15. As with the cross-member 40, the crossbar 25 maintains the support bar 15 separation. The crossbar 25 also serves as a chin-up and pull-up bar. Although shown having an angled body, the crossbar 25 may also be straight. In addition, one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that a variety of methods may be used to attach the crossbar 25 to the top portions 70 of the support bars 15.
The device 5 also has attachment devices 85 strategically positioned on the crossbar 25, the support bars 15, and the braces 45. The attachment devices 85 provide attachment points for bungee cords or elastic bands. The attachment devices 85 may be hooks, loops, slots, or other features designed to retain at least one end of a resistance band. The cords and bands may be used to perform resistance training with the device 5. In addition, the cords and bands may be positioned to allow the user to perform assisted pull-ups, chin-ups, or dips. Grips 90 are also provided on the braces 45, the cross-member 40, the hinged arms 20, and the crossbar 25. The grips provide additional safety to a user when performing bodyweight exercises.
While certain embodiments of the present invention are described in detail above, the scope of the invention is not to be considered limited by such disclosure, and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention as evidenced by the following claims:

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A weightlifting device, comprising:

a pair of base bars;

a support bar extending from each base bar, said support bar having a top portion;

a brace extending from each said base bar and terminating at said support bar;

a cross-member running between said support bars;

at least one hinged arm extending from said support bars;

a cage extending from said support bar, said cage adapted to hold a exercise ball;

a crossbar attached to said top portion of said support bars; and

multi-position supports affixed to said top portion.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said cage includes first and second bars, wherein said first and second bars are semi-circular.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said cage is nylon netting adapted to hold an exercise ball.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said at least one hinged arm folds up in order to clear a workout envelope.

5. The device of claim 1, further comprising adjustable abdominal straps removably attached to said multi-position support.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of attachment devices extending from said support bars, said braces, and said crossbar.

7. The device of claim 1, further comprising grips located on said braces, said cross-member, said hinged arms, and said crossbar.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein an exercise ball is held within said cage, said exercise ball providing back support for a user.

9. A weight lifting device, comprising:

a foundation portion;

support bars extending vertically from said foundation portion;

hinged arms extending substantially horizontally from said support bars;

a cage attached to said support bars, said caged adapted to hold an exercise ball;

at least one abdominal strap suspended from said support bars; and

a crossbar attached to said support bars.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein said cage includes a first bar attached to said support bars and a second bar attached to said first bar.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein said first and second bars are semi-circular.

12. The device of claim 9, wherein said cage is nylon netting.

13. The device of claim 9, wherein said hinged arms fold up against said support bars.

14. The device of claim 9, further comprising a plurality of I attachment devices, said attachment devices adapted attach resistance bands to said device.

15. The device of claim 9, wherein said suspended abdominal straps are suspended from multi-position supports attached to said support bars.

16. A weightlifting device, comprising:

support bars extending from a base portion, said base portion including:

base bars, said base bars having converging axes;

a cross-member, connecting said support bars;

braces, said braces extending from said base bars and terminating at said support bars;

a top portion of said support bars, said top portion bent between 30 and 90 degrees relative to a remainder of said support bars;

at least one multi-position support attached to said top portion;

at least one abdominal strap suspended from said at least one multi-position support;

a crossbar affixed to said top portion of said support bars;

U-shaped brackets extending from said support bars;

hinged arms attached to said U-shaped brackets, said hinged arms adapted to fold upright against said support bars; and

a cage extending from said support bars, said cage comprising:

a first semi-circular bar attached to said support bars and a second semi-circular bar attached to said first bar.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein said cage is adapted to hold an exercise ball.

18. The device of claim 16, further comprising a plurality of resistance band attachment points.

19. The device of claim 16, further comprising grips located on said braces, said hinged arms, said cross-member, and said crossbar.

20. The device of claim 16, wherein when said exercise ball is held in said cage, said exercise ball is a back support.