Body coach
10987532 · 2021-04-27
Inventors
Cpc classification
A63B23/03525
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A63B21/078
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A63B21/072
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A63B21/00181
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A63B21/0414
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A63B2210/50
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A63B23/03575
HUMAN NECESSITIES
International classification
A63B21/078
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A63B23/035
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A63B23/12
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A63B21/072
HUMAN NECESSITIES
Abstract
The present invention generally concerns an exercise frame. More specifically, a frame, named the Body Coach, includes a base with both wheeled and un-wheeled stabilizers, two pivoting posts, and extending slats having dip handles and pullup bar holders. The frame is small and mimics heights normal to larger caged stations in gyms, which provide a greater natural resistance for calisthenics. Retractable slats, telescopically housed in each post, extend a pullup bar upward at heights up to 7.00′. An A/R band rests in a space between the two posts. Both the band's tautness and its vertical placement within the space, relative to the extended height of the pullup bar, are adjustable. Each post pivots downward for easy storage, but, in use, the frame is sturdy, centered, and reconfigures to a user's specific height and range of motion for unmanned assistance or resistance training.
Claims
1. An exercise frame comprising: a. a base with a bottom surface having, four supports, wherein each of the four supports telescopically houses either a wheeled or an un-wheeled stabilizer, and on an upper surface of the base, a handle and two brackets, wherein each of the two brackets is hingedly connected to a respective one of two pivoting posts; b. wherein each of the two pivoting posts extends a respective retractable slat at heights of 5.50′, 6.00′, and 7.00′ relative to the base's upper surface, and wherein each of the retractable slats has a dip handle and a pullup bar holder connected at an upper most part thereof; c. wherein each of the two brackets has a respective sit up bar holder located thereon; d. an assistance or resistance band connected in a space between the two pivoting posts by retaining hooks positioned about each of the two pivoting posts, such that the assistance or resistance band is vertically adjustable at heights from 16.00″ to 28.00″ relative to the base's upper surface; and e. wherein a weighted pullup bar is configured to be connected to the exercise frame at each of the pullup bar holders or at each of the sit up bar holders.
2. The exercise frame of claim 1, wherein each of the two pivoting posts independently rotates downward through a joint affixed to the upper surface of the base, wherein each of the joints includes the respective one of the two brackets, a rotation bolt, a lock nut, and a locking pin being connected to a custom yoke located at the respective lower end for each of the two pivoting posts.
3. The exercise frame of claim 1, wherein the assistance or resistance band is configured to be vertically placed on the retaining hooks of each of the two pivoting posts and between the two pivoting posts at heights from 16.00″ to 32.00″ relative to the base's upper surface, wherein the assistance or resistance band is made from a natural or synthetic latex rubber that is configured to support up to 300 lbs with minimal wear to elasticity, and a tautness of the assistance or resistance band is configured to be adjusted by one or more buckles.
4. The exercise frame of claim 1, wherein the base is a square sheet or a rectangular sheet with rounded corners and is 3.00″ to 6.00″ thick, 24.00″ to 30.00″ wide, and 30.00″ to 45.00″ long and is made of nickel, aluminum, stainless steel, copper, iron, titanium, or alloys thereof, rigid polymers, nylon parts, or wood.
5. The exercise frame of claim 1, wherein the weighted pullup bar is weighted from 5.00 lbs to 10.00 lbs and has notches near its distal ends, where the center of each of the notches is tapped and holds a magnet.
6. The exercise frame of claim 1, wherein the pullup bar holder of each of the retractable slats has a magnet at its center.
7. The exercise frame of claim 1, wherein the sit up bar holder of each of the two brackets has a magnet at its center.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
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(16) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Numerical Designations Used in All Figures Reference Numerals & Letters 10 The Body Coach 11 Dip Handle 11a Left Dip Handle 11b Right Dip Handle 12 Pullup Bar Holder 12a Left Pullup Bar Holder 12b Right Pullup Bar Holder 13 Extending Slat 13a Left Extending Slat 13b Right Extending Slat 14 Pivot Post 14a Left Pivot Post 14b Right Pivot Post 15 Retainer Hooks 15a Left Retainer Hooks 15b Right Retainer Hooks 16 A/R Band 17 Weighted Pullup Bar 18 Base 19 Extending Stabilizer 19a Front Left Stabilizer with Wheel 19b Front Right Stabilizer with Wheel 19c Back Right Stabilizer 19d Back Left Stabilizer 20 Support 20a Front Left Support (not shown) 20b Front Right Support 20c Back Right Support 20d Back Left Support (not shown) 21 Left & Right Clevis Joint e Rubber Foot f Wheel and Threaded Screw g Clevis Bracket h Sit Up Position Holder with Magnet i Custom Yoke j Quick Lock Pin k Lock Nut for Clevis Bolt l Rotation Bolt with Bearings/Flanged Bushing m Bar Notch with Magnet n Centered Bore o Quick Lock Bore Upright Position p Quick Lock Bore Storage Position q Sit Up Position Holder r Magnet in Holder s Securing Bolt for Clevis Hinge to Base t Threaded Bore u Bracket Bottom Surface V Vertical Extension for Slats w A/R D-Ring Connector x Double D-Ring Buckle z Bearing/Flanged Bushing and Washers aa Quick Release Connector bb Flanged Collar cc Stabilizer End Cap
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(17) The following words describe my exercise frame. I made it to help those with a limited range of motion perform calisthenics. The frame is simple to use and is of a personal size for easy storage, but it is not so simple as to lose novelty. From
(18) The slats 13a, 13b are telescopically housed in each post 14a, 14b and may extend the pullup bar 17 upward at heights up to 7.0′. The frame 10 is small but mimics heights normal to larger caged stations in gyms, where greater heights provide more downward pull during calisthenics (see U.S. Pat. No. 9,925,871 to Luedeka).
(19) An A/R band 16 rests in a space between the two posts 14a, 14b. Both the band's 16 tautness and its vertical placement within the space, relative to the extended height of the pullup bar 17, are adjustable. The ability to adjust the distance between the variable height pullup bar 17 and the A/R band 16, in addition to varying the band's 16 tautness, gives a user options when using the frame according to their height and range of motion for assisted pullups, chin-ups, or dips, where the A/R band accepts the weight of a user as an offset at their knees. In addition, the frame 10 can be configured for assistance or resistance training for pushups and squats. For pushups, one would assume the pushup position while contacting their chest or hip area across the band for assistance. For squats, one would place themselves in a squatting position and have the A/R band contact their shoulders and perform the traditional squatting exercise.
(20) The pullup bar 17 is a mostly solid cylindrical rod that is weighted and can be attached by friction and magnets to sit up position holders, as detailed in
(21) From
(22) Definitions
(23) The terms “Body Coach” or “frame” generally refer to the exercise frame of the current invention. As disclosed above, it includes a base with both wheeled and un-wheeled stabilizers, two pivoting posts, and extending slats having dip handles and magnetic pullup bar holders. The slats are telescopically housed in pivoting posts and may extend the pullup bar upward at heights up to 7.0′. Each post pivots downward by 90° onto the base's upper surface for easy storage. There are other elements to the invention as disclosed below.
(24) The terms “A/R band” or “the band” generally refer to an assistance or resistance band being a sheet or loop of an elastic material made from natural or synthetic latex rubber. These bands are commercially available, and their elasticity and durability have made them popular for rehab and strength training of the legs, triceps, chest, back, shoulders, and the like. Here, I use a band that can support at least 300 lbs of weight at a space between the two posts. However, the band may be exchanged for others that may hold a lesser weight while providing a decreased resistance.
(25) The terms “telescopically” or “telescopic” generally refer to the ability of the extending slats and stabilizers to slide and interlock one within the other of each pivoting post and supports respectively, meaning each tube can be extended or shortened accordingly.
(26) The term “bushing” generally refers to an element, being an interface between two surfaces, that reduces friction and wear at the connecting surfaces. Here, I use a quick release pin that is housed in a square casing that telescopically interacts with the inner cavities of a similar sized tube and a sleeved bearing with a flange, which are commercially available through companies such as iGus, located in East Providence, R.I., providing a smoother movement about the rotation bolt when pivoting the posts into a folded position.
(27) The symbol ″ generally refers to the linear unit of inches, e.g. 24.00″ means 24.00 inches.
(28) The symbol ′ generally refers to the linear unit of feet, e.g. 7.00′ means 7.00 ft.
(29) The Base
(30) The frame 10 is an assembly of various metal and plastic parts that are either welded together, or secured through friction, magnets, or detent or quick release connectors. The frame 10 may be made from materials including but not limited to stainless steel, copper, iron, titanium, aluminum, nickel, or alloys thereof, rigid polymers, nylon parts, or wood, so long as the material has a hardness and fatigue strength for ease of manufacturing via casting, welding, or machining as balanced by the strength and rigidity needed to support at least 300 lbs at the slats 13a, 13b, posts 14a, 14b, and the clevis joints 21.
(31) I will begin at the base 18 and work my way up. All measurements are non-limiting and are meant to show certain embodiments thereof. The base 18 is a square or rectangular metal sheet with slightly rounded corners and measures roughly from about 3.00″ to about 6.00″ in thickness, from about 24.00″ to about 30.00″ in width, and about 30.00″ to about 45.00″ in length.
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(34) The Clevis Hinge and Posts
(35) Continuing our way up the frame 10, we are now at the clevis hinges 21 and posts 14. In my description, I will skip about the images, but the conversation will be logical to instruct one of ordinary skill in the making and enjoying the frame 10.
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(37) As mentioned, the lug acts as a male mate for the custom yoke i. The eye is a centered bore n sized to accept a rotation bolt 1. Angular parts of the lug are associated with a sit up position bar holder q having a magnet r at its center. The bracket's g bottom surface u has a threaded bore t that accepts a screw s to fasten the bracket g to the upper surface of the base 18. The screw s passes through a hole cut in the base 18, which is aligned with a threaded bore t located within the bracket's g bottom surface u. The screw s is then tightened into the threaded bore t to secure the clevis bracket g to the base's 18 upper surface.
(38) The clevis bracket g has three upper bores, a bore o for upright positioning of the posts, as seen in
(39) The posts 14 are square tubes, preferable made of metal, where the outer surfaces about one distal end are welded with a pair of custom ears to form a yoke i that mates with the lug. From
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(41) The Weighted Pullup Bar
(42) A key element of the invention is a weighted pullup bar 17.
(43) The pullup bar 17 is a solid cylindrical rod that measures from about 24.00″ to about 30.00″ long and weighs from about 5.00 lbs to about 12.00 lbs.
(44) I am now simultaneously referring to
(45) The Posts, Telescopic Slats, & the A/R Band
(46) Although the frame mimics heights normal to larger workout stations, it considers a user's size and limited range of motion. The present invention extends to heights of 5.50′, 6.00′, and 7.00′ relative to the upper surfaces of the base. An A/R band located between the two posts may be vertically adjusted relative to the extended heights of each slat. Independent vertical movement of the A/R band gives the user a flexible range of comfort by offloading a portion of their weight when their knees are rested across the same and engaging in pullups, chin-ups, or dips.
(47) The tautness of the band can also be adjusted to provide an extra measure of comfort when using the frame. This means that the user experiences a shortened distance between the heights of the pullup bar when extended relative to the vertical placement of the A/R band between the posts, and this is how the frame assists a user with a limited range of motion in performing calisthenics. A non-limiting example being, when the slats extend the pullup bar to 7.00′ (84.00″), a user can workout at that height and experience it as a vertical range from 68.00″ to 56.00″ due to the assistance of the A/R band. At 6.00′ (72.00″), the experience translates to a vertical range from 56.00″ to 44.00″. At 5.50′ (66.00″), the experience translates to a vertical range from 50.00″ to about 38.00″.
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(49) The posts 14a, 14b and slats 13a, 13b are a telescoping assembly. This embodiment is non-limiting, and any other forms of telescopic tubing used to achieve the heights of 5.50′, 6.00′, and 7.00′ are covered by the present invention. The slats 13a, 13b and the posts 14a, 14b are square tubes, where each slat has a smaller dimension than the post so it can fit inside the larger tube's inner cavity.
(50) Mated to the end of each slat 13a, 13b is a quick release connector aa having a square end that friction fits into a distal end of each slat 13a, 13b. The quick release connector aa is also square and sized to the dimensions of each post's 14a, 14b inner surfaces to friction fit as a bushing to allow each slat 13a, 13b upward or downward movement along the inner surfaces for each post 14a, 14b.
(51) Holes are made in each post 14a, 14b that extend from their outer surfaces into their inner cavities. They are spaced along the posts 14a, 14b to ensure that the quick release connector aa selectively aligns with each hole and may insert its pin therethrough to lock each slat 13a, 13b in positions that correspond to heights of 5.50′, 6.00′, and 7.00′ relative to the base's 18 upper surface. This type of telescoping assembly is like those sold by esto Connectors® or can be custom made via machining of metal tubes and using detent pins known in the arts.
(52) There are flanged end caps bb with hollow centers used as buffers at the spaces between the tops of each post 14a, 14b and the bottom portion of each slat 13a, 13b. This assembly is repeated and used for telescoping all stabilizers 19 with the supports 20, where the quick release connector mates with holes about the supports 20 to ensure a 6.00″ extension therefrom. Although not shown for simplicity, each end of each support and the top ends of each post may have telescoping assembly that includes a flanged end cap bb and a quick release connector aa.
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(54) The dip handle 11 is a cylindrical stock or rod where one of its distal ends is welded to a holder 12, like the sit up position holder h detailed in
(55) As mentioned above, and referring to
(56) Returning to
(57) The ends of the band 16 are connected to D-rings w that are secured on retainer hooks 15 located on the outer surfaces of each post 14 that face inward to each other. The retainer hooks 15 are cut from a sheet of rectangular metal as a one piece that matches the surface area of each post 14, where there is a 1.00″ space between each retainer hook 15. The finished retainer hooks 15 are welded onto the surface of each post 14 to ensure that the band 16, when connected, rests in a space between the same. The retainer hooks 15 are placed on the posts at a distance of about 16″ from the base's upper surface and extends up along the post 14 for another 12.00″.
(58) I have detailed my invention, such that one of ordinary skill can make the frame without any undue experimentation. Aspects of a compact and variable exercise frame that adapts to different calisthenics are described above. The frame gives unique relationships between varying placements of a weighted pullup bar and vertical alignments between an adjustable A/R band. The invention is sturdy and mobile and is collapsible for ease storage. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing these aspects, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations are possible. The invention is not limited to any dimensions of the various elements, but the above are non-limiting examples of practical sizes. Accordingly, the aspects described herein are intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the following claims.