Abstract
An exercise apparatus that may be used in a bed, primarily for stretching and resistance exercises. The exercise apparatus may be configured with a lower frame and an upper frame. The lower frame is disposed between and connected to a bed frame and a headboard. The upper frame is connected to the lower frame and has exercise equipment attachment couplers.
Claims
1. A bed exercise apparatus for a bed with a bed frame, a mattress, and a headboard positioned by a head of the bed frame, the bed exercise apparatus comprising: a. a lower frame configured in such manner that the lower frame may be disposed between the bed frame and the headboard; and b. an upper frame with exercise equipment mounting connections, the upper frame connected to the lower frame and the upper frame configured in such manner that all or a portion of the upper frame may be disposed above a top surface of the mattress.
2. The bed exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lower frame is configured in such manner that the lower frame may be connected to the bed frame and headboard.
3. The bed exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein an upper surface of an upper crossbeam of the lower frame does not extend above the top surface of the mattress.
4. The bed exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the upper frame is removably connected to the lower frame.
5. A bed exercise apparatus, comprising: a. a bed frame; b. a headboard; c. a lower frame disposed between and connected to the bed frame and headboard; and d. an upper frame with exercise equipment mounting connections, the upper frame connected to the lower frame.
6. The bed exercise apparatus of claim 5, wherein the upper frame is moveably connected to the lower frame.
7. A bed exercise apparatus for a bed with a bed frame, a mattress, and a headboard positioned by a head of the bed frame, the bed exercise apparatus comprising: a. a lower frame; and b. an upper frame with exercise equipment mounting connections, wherein the upper frame and the lower frame are configured to connect to each other between the head of the bed frame and the headboard in such manner that all or a portion of the upper frame may be disposed above a top surface of the mattress.
8. The bed exercise apparatus of claim 7, wherein the lower frame is configured in such manner that the lower frame may be secured in place, relative to the bed frame by the bed frame or headboard.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) FIG. 1(a) is a perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of an upper and lower frame of a bed exercise apparatus according to the present invention;
(2) FIG. 1(b) is a cross sectional view along line 1(b)-1(b) of the first exemplary embodiment of an exercise apparatus according to the present invention;
(3) FIG. 1(c) is a cross sectional view along line 1(c)-1(c) of the first exemplary embodiment of an exercise apparatus according to the present invention;
(4) FIG. 1(d) is a top view of an exemplary rod aperture for an exemplary adjustable height rod for a bed exercise apparatus according to the present invention;
(5) FIG. 1(e) is a perspective view of the exemplary adjustable height rod for a bed exercise apparatus according to the present invention;
(6) FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a modified configuration of the first exemplary embodiment of the bed exercise apparatus with a headboard, bed frame, box spring and mattress according to the present invention;
(7) FIG. 3(a) is a side view of the first exemplary embodiment of the bed exercise apparatus connected to the bed frame and headboard with exemplary equipment attachments and with the box spring and mattress according to the present invention;
(8) FIG. 3(b) is a side view of the first exemplary embodiment of the bed exercise apparatus connected to the bed frame and headboard with exemplary equipment attachments and with the box spring and mattress according to the present invention;
(9) FIG. 3(c) is a side view of the first exemplary embodiment of the bed exercise apparatus connected to the bed frame and headboard with exemplary equipment attachments and with the box spring and mattress according to the present invention;
(10) FIG. 3(d) is a side view of the first exemplary embodiment of the bed exercise apparatus connected to the bed frame and headboard with exemplary equipment attachments and with the box spring, mattress and a mattress extender in a closed position according to the present invention;
(11) FIG. 3(e) is a side view of the first exemplary embodiment of the bed exercise apparatus connected to the bed frame and headboard with exemplary equipment attachments and with the box spring, mattress and the mattress extender in an open position according to the present invention;
(12) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the modified configuration of the first exemplary embodiment of the bed exercise apparatus according to the present invention connected to the bed frame and headboard;
(13) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment of the bed exercise apparatus according to the present invention;
(14) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a third exemplary embodiment of the bed exercise apparatus according to the present invention;
(15) FIG. 7(a) is a first wide side view of a fourth exemplary embodiment of the bed exercise apparatus according to the present invention;
(16) FIG. 7(b) is a first narrow side view of a fourth exemplary embodiment of the bed exercise apparatus according, to the present invention;
(17) FIG. 8(a) is a front wide side view of a fifth exemplary embodiment of the bed exercise apparatus according to the present invention;
(18) FIG. 8(b) is a top view of the fifth exemplary embodiment of the bed exercise apparatus according to the present invention;
(19) FIG. 8(c) is a front wide side view of a first alternative configuration for the fifth exemplary embodiment of the bed exercise apparatus according to the present invention with a roller chain for controlling extension and retraction of an upper frame;
(20) FIG. 8(d) is a front wide side view of a second alternative configuration for the fifth exemplary embodiment of the bed exercise apparatus according to the present invention with spring biased detents that mate with latches for controlling extension and retraction of the upper frame with the upper frame retracted;
(21) FIG. 8(e) is a front wide side view of the second alternative configuration for the fifth exemplary embodiment of the bed exercise apparatus according to the present invention with spring biased detents that mate with latches for controlling extension and retraction of the upper frame with the upper frame extended;
(22) FIG. 9(a) is a front wide side view of a sixth exemplary embodiment of the bed exercise apparatus according to the present invention with an upper frame in an extended position; and
(23) FIG. 9(b) is a front wide side view of a sixth exemplary embodiment of a bed exercise apparatus according to the present invention in a retracted position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(24) FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a first exemplary embodiment of a bed exercise apparatus 1 according to the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an upper frame 2 that is removably connected to a lower frame 3. with a lower side of the upper frame 2 braced flush against an upper side of the lower frame 3. The upper and tower frames 2, 3, are configured in a rectangular annular shape formed of hollow steel tubing, in which the hollow steel tubing has a rectangular cross-sectional form as may be seen in FIGS. 1(b) and 1(c). Alternatively, instead of steel tubing the upper and lower frames 2,3 may be constructed of material having a flat, U-shaped, or L-shaped profile or any other shape and may be made of other materials such as wood, plastic, other metals or any other material that can bear the load that will be placed upon it.
(25) The upper frame 2 has several mounting bars 4 that extend from an upper crossbeam 5 of the upper frame 2 to a lower crossbeam 6 of the upper frame 2 to allow primarily for mounting of exercise equipment such as bands, ropes, and similar exercise devices. In addition, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3(b), the lower frame 3 may have lower frame mounting rings 12B to allow for mourning of bands, ropes, and similar exercise devices as well. The lower frame mounting rings 12B are provided on a lower surface of a lower crossbeam 11 of the lower frame 3. However, lower frame mounting rings may also be positioned at other positions on the lower frame 3. Other more elaborate pieces of exercise equipment, such as pedaling devices, may also be configured to mount on the mounting bars 4 or other parts of the bed exercise apparatus 1. Conversely, the mounting bars 4 or other parts of the bed exercise apparatus 1 may be configured for attachment of the more elaborate pieces of exercise equipment. The mounting bars 4, lower frame mounting rings 12B as well as other mounting rings that attach to the upper or lower frame 2,3 may be screwed, hooked clamped, welded glued or attached by other methods known in the art.
(26) Along an upper surface of the upper crossbeam 5 are a plurality of rod apertures 5U. As best illustrated in FIG. 1(c), corresponding to rod apertures 5U are a set of rod apertures 5L on the lower surface of the upper crossbeam 5 that in turn correspond to a plurality of rod apertures 6U on the upper surface of the lower crossbeam 6 and rod apertures 6L on the lower surface of the lower crossbeam 6. On the upper and lower surfaces of an upper crossbeam 10 of the lower frame 3 are rod apertures 10U and 10L, respectively, that correspond to the rod apertures 6U and 6L. In addition, on the upper surface of the lower crossbeam 11 of the lower frame 3 are rod apertures 11U that correspond with the rod apertures 10U and 10L. In this first exemplary embodiment, there are no rod apertures on the lower surface of the lower crossbeam 11 of the lower frame 3. But alternatively, such rod apertures may also be provided. Each of the corresponding sets of rod apertures 5U, 5L, 6U, 6L, 10U, 10L, 11U are aligned so as to permit rods 9 to be mounted to the bed exercise apparatus 1 by extending them through the rod apertures 5U, 5L, 6U, 6L, 10U, 10L, 11U. Alternatively, the rod 9 may extend only through the upper frame 2 apertures 5U, 5L, 6U and the rod apertures 6L, 10U, 10L and 11U may not be provided. As another alternative, the rod 9 may be mounted in the lower frame 3 only with the upper frame 2 removed. At the top of the rods 9 are mounting rings 12 to allow for mounting of exercise equipment such as bands, ropes, and similar exercise devices. As with the mounting bars 4 discussed above, other more elaborate pieces of exercise equipment may also be configured to mount on the rods 9 or other parts of the bed exercise apparatus 1.
(27) In one alternative embodiment, the apertures 5U, 5L, 6U, 6L, 10U, 10L, 11U may be configured in an irregular shape such as an irregularly shaped aperture 5I illustrated in FIG. 1(d). With the irregularly shaped aperture 5I, an adjustable height rod 9I, illustrated in FIG. 1(e), may be used. The adjustable height rod 9I has protrusions 9P to allow for adjusting the height. When inserting and moving the adjustable height rod 9I vertically, the protrusions 9P on the adjustable height rod 9I must align with the shape of the irregularly shaped aperture 5I. Once the adjustable height rod 9I is at the desired height the adjustable height rod 9I may be rotated and the protrusions 9P may rest in indentations 5J immediately adjacent to the irregularly shaped aperture 5I. An adjustable height rod may also be configured in other manners known in the art to provide such functionality.
(28) On the lower frame 3, are apertures 13 that extend from a first wide side 14 to an opposing wide side (not shown) to allow for the lower frame to be securely mounted to a bed frame 15 and to a headboard 16 with bolts 17, as may be seen in FIG. 2. Alternatively, clamps may be employed to mount the lower frame 3 to the bed frame 15 The lower frame 3 may also have a bracing bar 17A that extends from the first wide side 14 of the lower frame 3 so as to attach to a middle cross beam 15A of the bed frame 15, as may be seen in FIG. 4. Alternatively, the apertures 13 may be provided on the upper frame 12 and the upper frame 12 may be connected to the bed frame 15 and the headboard 16 without use of the lower frame 13, or upper and lower frames 12 and 13 may be one integral piece so that the upper frame 12 cannot be disconnected from the lower frame 13. Similarly, in another alternative embodiment, the lower frame 3 may be provided as an integral part of the bed frame 15 thereby obviating the need for the apertures 13. In such an embodiment, the upper and lower frames 12 and 13 may or may not also be one integral piece. Alternatively, in certain instances it may be practical to wedge the bed exercise apparatus 1 in place between the bed frame 15 and the headboard 16 without using fasteners through apertures 13. As another alternative, the bed exercise apparatus 1 may be mounted on a far side of the headboard 16 i.e. with the headboard 16 between the bed exercise apparatus 1 and the mattress 15, where the headboard 16 has sufficient openings to accommodate exercise equipment to pass therethrough. In a further alternative, the bed exercise apparatus 1 may be mounted to the bed frame only without the use of the headboard 16; this is particularly practical where the bed exercise apparatus 1 is located next to a wall.
(29) Furthermore, as seen in FIG. 2, the upper frame 2 has a mounting elbow 18 that is configured to fit into a mounting aperture 19 on the lower frame 3 such that when first mounting the upper frame 2 on the lower frame 3, the lower surface of the upper frame 2 is perpendicular to the upper surface of the lower frame 3 and then the upper frame 2 is rotated so as to bring the lower surface of the lower crossbeam 6 of the upper frame 2 into flush contact with the upper surface of the upper crossbeam 10 of the lower frame 3, and thereby securing the upper frame 2 and the lower frame 3 on a first narrow side 20. On a second narrow side 21 is a mounting bracket 22 that is integral with the upper frame 2 that allows for securing the upper frame 2 to the lower frame 3 on the second side 21 with one or more bolts 23. Alternatively, the upper frame 2 and lower frame 3 may be configured to fit together via a tongue and groove system allowing the upper frame 2 to slide in and out via an opening in the groove. The upper surface of the upper crossbeam 10 may include a padding material layer so as to prevent injury when the upper frame is disconnected and thereby exposes the upper surface of the upper crossbeam 10. Similarly, other parts of the upper and lower frames 2, 3 may include padding on exposed surfaces.
(30) FIG. 30) shows, a side view of the bed exercise apparatus 1 mounted with the bed frame 15 and the headboard 16. As may be seen in FIG. 3(a), the bed exercise apparatus 1 fits in well and does not interfere with box spring 25 and mattress 24. If the bed frame 15, headboard 16, box spring 25 or mattress 24 are irregularly shaped, then the configuration of the lower and/or upper frames 3, 2 may be adjusted to conform to their shapes. The upper and lower frames 2, 3 may be configured to be adjustable in both width and height to fit various bed sizes and different types of bed frames. Attached to one of the mounting bars 4 (not shown in FIG. 3(a)) is an exercise band 26A and attached to one of the mounting rings 12 is a second exercise band 26B. As illustrated in FIG. 3(a), the lower frame 3 extends up to a top surface 27 of the mattress 24 and does not extend above that level. Alternatively, the lower frame 3 may extend above or terminate below the top surface 27 of the mattress 24. Also, the bottom of the lower frame 3, as illustrated in FIG. 3, extends to a lower surface 28 of the bed frame 15. Alternatively, the lower frame 3 may either extend further down, even possibly to the floor, for additional support, or terminate above the lower surface 28 of the bed frame 15.
(31) FIG. 3(b) shows another side view of the bed exercise apparatus 1 mounted with the bed frame 15 and the headboard 16 with alternative exemplary equipment attachments to the lower frame mounting rings 12B. Attached to one of the lower frame mounting rings 12B is an exercise band 26D that extends to a bed frame distal end 15B. This provides for the possibility of using the exercise apparatus 1 to perform leg or possibly upper body exercises while sitting at the bed frame distal end 15B. A plurality of exercise bands, ropes or other exercise devices may be attached to lower frame mounting rings 12B and extend to the bed frame distal end 15B so as to allow for exercising two or more limbs at a time.
(32) Additionally, as illustrated in FIG. 3(b), an exercise band 26C attached to one of the lower frame mounting rings 12 extends to a side pole 17A that is mounted to a broad side 15C of the bed frame 15 and/or the broad side 25C of the box spring 25 and/or the broad side 24C of the mattress 24. On the side pole 17A are sheaves 17B, 17C with sheave guards 17D, 17E that guide the exercise band 26C from underneath the bed frame 15 up along sides of the bed frame 15, box spring 25 and mattress 24. The side pole 17C may be height adjustable. A plurality of similar side poles may be positioned along the bed frame broad side 25C or on the opposing bed frame broad side or both and also at the bed frame distal end 158 to perform exercises from almost any angle.
(33) FIG. 3(c) shows another side view of the bed exercise apparatus 1 mounted with the bed frame 15 and the headboard 16 with alternative exemplary equipment attachments. A rod 9B is mounted to the exercise apparatus 1 by extending through the rod apertures 5U, 5L, 6U, 6L, 10U, 10L, 11U in the upper and lower frames 2, 3. The rod 9B has one or more mounting hooks 12C along a side of the rod 9B with a top sheave 17F with a sheave guard 17H at the top of the rod 9B and a bottom sheave 17G with a sheave guard 17I mounted lower on the rod 9B. The lower guide sheave 17I is preferably provided on the rod 9B just above the point where the rod 9B enters the rod aperture 5U. An exercise band 26E is hooked onto one of the mounting hooks 12C and extends up riding over the top sheave 17F and then extends downward and around the bottom sheave 17G. The rod 98 may be configured as an adjustable height rod in the manner discussed above by the adjustable height rod 9I or in another manner known in the art to provide such functionality.
(34) FIGS. 3(d) and 3(e) show another side view of the bed exercise apparatus 1 mounted with the bed frame 15 and the headboard 16 with alternative exemplary equipment attachments. The configuration shown in FIGS. 3(d) and 3(e) includes the rod 9B discussed above with reference to FIG. 3(c) and the other associated elements discussed above. The configuration shown in FIGS. 3(d) and 3(e) also includes a lower frame mounting ring 12B with the exercise band 26D that extends to the bed frame distal end 15B. In addition, FIGS. 3(d) and 3(e) show an exemplary mattress extender 31 in a closed and open position, respectively. A mattress extender base 32 is mounted to the bed frame 15 on or proximal to the bed frame distal end 15B. Via a hinge 34 a mattress extender support surface 33 is rotatably connected to the mattress extender base 32. The mattress support surface 33 may extend across an entire width of the mattress 24 or a portion thereof. The mattress extender may also include one or more folding braces 38. The folding braces may be configured with a first link 35 that is rotatably connected via a hinge 37 to a second link 38. The first link 35 is rotatably attached to the mattress extender support surface 33 and the second link 38 rotatably connects to the mattress extender base 32. The mattress extender may, in an alternative embodiment, be configured to be fixed in an extended position with no hinge 34 and without folding braces 38. The mattress extender 31 may also, alternatively, be configured to attach to a footboard or the mattress 24 or box spring 25. The mattress extender 31 may be used to provide additional space for doing exercises while lying on the mattress 24 or it may be used for doing exercises in a sitting position.
(35) FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the bed exercise apparatus 1 mounted with the bed frame 15 and the headboard 16. In this configuration, in addition to exercise bands 26A and 26B, there are several other exercise bands 26 attached both to the mounting bars 4 and the mounting rings 12, As illustrated, a desk 30 may also be mounted onto the bed exercise apparatus 1. As shown in the exemplary embodiment, the desk 30 is rotatable so as to move it out of the way when not in use. The desk 30 may be removably mounted onto one of the rods 9 or may be integrally attached onto its own rod for mounting on the bed exercise apparatus 1. Also, as illustrated in FIG. 4, a lamp 29 may be mounted onto the bed exercise apparatus 1. The lamp 29 may be removably mourned onto one of the rods 9 or may be integrally attached onto its own rod for mounting on the bed exercise apparatus 1.
(36) FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment of a bed exercise apparatus 51 according to the present invention. The bed exercise apparatus 51 has a lower frame 53 and an upper frame 52 that is removably connected to the lower frame 53 in the same manner as bed exercise apparatus 1. The upper frame 52 has a bisecting crossbeam 72 that bisects the upper frame 52 into an upper portion 70 and a lower portion 71. The upper frame 52 has several mounting bars 54 that extend from an upper crossbeam 55 of the upper frame 52 to the bisecting crossbeam 72 of the upper frame 52. Elongated exercise bands 76 are mounted to lower section rings 78 which are affixed to an upper surface of a lower crossbeam 56. The elongated exercise bands 76 extend through a groove on lower sheaves 77, which guide the elongated exercise bands 76 through a set of elongated exercise band guide apertures 60 in the bisecting crossbeam 72 and upper crossbeam 55. The elongated exercise band guide apertures 60 allow the elongated exercise bands 76 to extend through the bisecting crossbeam 72 and upper crossbeam 55 to an upper surface 55U of the upper crossbeam 55. The elongated exercise bands 76 then extend through a groove on upper sheaves 79 which guide the elongated exercise bands 76 toward a mattress on a bed frame to which the exercise apparatus 51 is connected on a first wide side 64. On the lower frame 53, are apertures 63 that extend from the first wide side 64 to an opposing wide side (not shown) to allow for the lower frame 53 to be securely mounted to a bed frame and to a headboard with bolts similar to the manner in which exercise apparatus 1 is connected to the bed frame 15 and headboard 16 as may be seen in FIG. 2. Alternatively, the apertures 63 may be provided on the upper frame 52 and the upper frame 52 may be connected to the bed frame and the headboard without use of the lower frame 53, or upper and lower frames 52 and 53 may be one integral piece so that the upper frame 52 cannot be disconnected from the lower frame 53. In addition, similar to the bed exercise apparatus 1, the bed exercise apparatus 51 may include rods similar to the rods 9 and rod apertures similar to the rod apertures 5U, 5L, 6U, 6L, 10U, 10L, 11U, in exercise apparatus 1. The rod apertures may allow such rods in the bed exercise apparatus 51 to extend alternatively through both the upper frame 52 and the lower frame 53 or only through the entire upper frame 52, or only through the upper portion 70 of the upper frame 52.
(37) FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a third exemplary embodiment of a bed exercise apparatus 81 according to the present invention. The bed exercise apparatus 81 has a lower frame 83 and an upper frame 82 that is removably connected to the lower frame 83 in the same manner as bed exercise apparatus 1. On an upper surface 85 of the upper frame 82 are mounting rings 84. Alternatively, in place of the mounting rings 84 may be any other connecting structure to allow for fixedly connecting exercise equipment to the exercise apparatus such as the exemplary configurations disclosed herein. Similarly, the configuration of mounting rings directly mounted onto and proximate to an upper surface of an upper frame may be used in conjunction with other embodiments such as the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein. The upper frame 82 has a solid rectangular configuration as opposed to the annular configuration of upper frames in the previous exemplary embodiments of the exercise apparatus according to the present invention. The frame 82 may, alternatively, be configured with an annular upper frame configuration and similarly other exemplary embodiments of the exercise apparatus may be configured with an upper frame with a solid rectangular configuration instead of providing mounting bars.
(38) On the lower frame 83, are apertures 86 that extend from a first wide side 87 to an opposing wide side (not shown) to allow for the lower frame 53 to be securely mounted to a bed frame and to a headboard with bolts similar to the manner in which bed exercise apparatus 1 is connected to the bed frame 15 and headboard 16, as may be seen in FIG. 2. Alternatively, the apertures 86 may be provided on the upper frame 82 and the upper frame 82 may be connected to the bed frame and the headboard without use of the lower frame 83, or upper and lower frames 82 and 83 may be one integral piece so that the upper frame 82 cannot be disconnected from the lower frame 83.
(39) FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b) show a first wide side view and a first narrow side view, respectively, of a fourth exemplary embodiment of a bed exercise apparatus 91 according to the present invention. The bed exercise apparatus 91 has a lower frame 93 and an upper frame 92 that is removably connected to the lower frame 93 in the same manner as bed exercise apparatus 1. On an upper surface 95 of the upper frame 92 are hinges 94. Rotatably mounted on the hinges 94 are rotatable rods 96. On the ends of the rotatable rods 96 that are distal to the hinges 94 are mounting rings 97. Alternatively, in place of the mounting rings 97 can be any other connecting structure to allow for fixedly connecting exercise equipment to the exercise apparatus. The hinges 94 may be detent hinges or friction hinges or any other hinge that allows rotating the rotatable rods 96 into multiple positions so that the mounting rings 97 may be positioned at various heights. Furthermore, the rotatable rods 96 may be comprised of two or more nested rod portions 96A so as to be capable of telescoping.
(40) On the lower frame 93, are apertures 98 that extend from a first wide side 99 to an opposing wide side (not shown) to allow for the lower frame to be securely mounted to a bed frame and to a headboard with bolts similar to the manner in which bed exercise apparatus 1 is connected to the bed frame 15 and headboard 16 as may be seen in FIG. 2. Alternatively, the apertures 98 may be provided on the upper frame 92 and the upper frame 92 may be connected to the bed frame and the headboard without use of the lower frame 93, or upper and lower frames 92 and 93 may be one integral piece so that the upper frame 92 cannot be disconnected from the lower frame 93. In addition, similar to the bed exercise apparatus 1, the bed exercise apparatus 91 may include mounting bars similar to the mounting bars 4, rods similar to the rods 9, and rod apertures similar to the rod apertures 5U, 5L, 6U, 6L, 10U, 10L, 11U, as well as apertures not shown in the Figures. The rod apertures may allow such rods in the bed exercise apparatus 91 to extend alternatively through both the upper frame 92 and the lower frame 93 or only through the entire upper frame 92.
(41) FIGS. 8(a) and 8(b) show a first wide side view and a top view, respectively, of a fifth exemplary embodiment of a bed exercise apparatus 111 according to the present invention. The bed exercise apparatus 111 has a lower frame 113 that has a lower crossbeam 113a, side beams 113b, 113c and an open upper side 113d that extends between the upper ends of the side beams 113b, 113c, the upper ends being distal to the lower crossbeam 113a. Extending along a portion, or the entire length of inner sides of the side beams 113b, 113c are slide tracks 114. An upper frame 112 with several mounting bars 115 is slidably positioned on the slide tracks 114 so that the upper frame 112 may slide through the open upper side 113d. Alternatively, the side beams 113b, 113c may extend very high and, therefore, the upper side 113d of the lower frame does not need to be open and the upper frame 112 simply slides within the lower frame 113. The upper frame 112 and the slide tracks 114 are configured to allow the upper frame to stay fixedly positioned at one or more positions. This may be accomplished by having a high friction interface between the slide tracks 114 and the upper frame 112. On the lower frame 113, are apertures 113e that extend from a first wide side 113f to an opposing wide side (not shown) to allow for the lower frame to be securely mourned to abed frame and to a headboard with bolts similar to the manner in which bed exercise apparatus 1 is connected to the bed frame 15 and headboard 16 as may be seen in FIG. 2.
(42) FIG. 8(c) shows a front wide side view of an alternate exemplary configuration of the bed exercise apparatus 111 according to the present invention. In this configuration, a roller chain 119 mourned on a pair of sprockets 118 is provided in both of the slide tracks 114. Teeth 120 on the upper frame mesh with the roller chain 119, allowing the upper frame 112 to move tip and down as the roller chain 119 rides on the sprockets 118. One or more of the sprockets 118 may be connected to a control system 121, which may be any mechanical or electromechanical device that can drive or control the movement of the sprockets. The control system 121 may be comprised of either a motor with a switch control or a hand crank to drive the sprockets 118 and thereby the roller chain 119 to extend and retract the upper frame 112. Alternatively, the control system 121 may be employ of one or more inertial or frictional elements such as a brake and a flywheel that may be used to restrict movement of the sprockets 118 and roller chain 119 unless a certain amount of manual pressure is applied when extending or retracting the upper frame 112.
(43) In a further alternative, as illustrated in FIGS. 8(d) and 8(e) the upper frame 112 may have spring biased detents 116a that can extend out from the upper frame 112 and latch with one or more latching notches 116 in the slide tracks 114 or the side beams 113b, 113c. The spring biased detests 116a may be retracted from the latching notches 116 via mechanically connected detent controls 117. In FIG. 8(d) the upper frame 112 is in a retracted position and the spring biased detents 116a are retracted and not latched in latching notches 116. In this state, the upper frame 112 may be moved up or down. In FIG. 8(e), the upper frame 112 is in an extended position and the spring biased detents 116a are extended and latched in latching notches 116, locking the upper frame 112 in place. Although only one set of notches are shown, there may be several pairs of notches to lock the upper frame 112 in at various heights including at a fully retracted position.
(44) FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b) show a front wide side view of a sixth exemplary embodiment of a bed exercise apparatus 121 according to the present invention in an extended and retracted position, respectively. The bed exercise apparatus 121 has a lower frame 123 that has a lower crossbeam 123a and side beams 123b, 123c. The side beams 123b, 123c are configured as telescoping beams comprised of two or more nested beam portions 124 that are configured to allow the side beams 123b, 123c to extend and retract. An outermost nested beam portion 126 connected to the lower crossbeam 123a forms a base of each of the side beams 123b, 123c. An upper frame 122 is fixedly connected to the innermost one of the nested side beam portion 124 so that the side beams 123b, 123c can raise and lower the upper frame 122 as the side beams 123b, 123c extend and retract. The side beams 123b, 123c may be configured as hydraulic cylinders. In this case, a hydraulic oil or air pump 127 connects to the side beams 123b, 123c and allows a user to conveniently raise and lower the upper frame 122 via a control switch 128 connected to the hydraulic pump 127. The upper frame 122 is shown with mounting bars 125 for attaching various types of exercise equipment. For the bed exercise apparatus 121, as with the alternative exemplary exercise apparatus embodiments 51, 81, 91, 111, the upper frame 122 and, possibly the lower frame 123 may be configured with apertures to accommodate rods such as the rod 9 or the adjustable rod 9I discussed above and the lower frame 123 may include lower frame mounting rings as discussed above. In addition, the bed exercise apparatus 121, as with the alternative exemplary exercise apparatus embodiment 111, may be configured to allow for the upper frame 122 to completely retract below a mattress top surface level and, thereby, hide the upper frame 122 when it is not in use. In addition, the bed exercise apparatus 121, as with the alternative exemplary exercise apparatus embodiment 111, may have along a top surface of the upper frame 122 a cushioning layer 129. The bed exercise apparatus 121 may be configured so that when the upper frame 122 is completely retracted the cushioning layer is aligned with a top surface of a mattress. Similar cushioning layers may be provided on other exposed surfaces of the exercise apparatus 121 and on the exposed surfaces of the other exemplary exercise apparatus embodiments discussed herein. On the lower frame 123, are apertures 123d that extend from a first wide side 123e to an opposing wide side (not shown) to allow for the lower frame to be securely mounted to a bed frame and to a headboard with bolts similar to the manner in which bed exercise apparatus 1 is connected to the bed frame 15 and headboard 16 as may be seen in FIG. 2.
(45) The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary in nature, and therefore, the spirit and the scope of the invention are by no means restricted to what is described above or intended to represent every possible embodiment of the invention. For example, a bed frame is not limited to a frame but includes any structure that may be used to support a mattress. Moreover, the upper frame of the exercise apparatus may be configured in an upside down U shape, i.e. with no lower crossbeam. In addition, the bed exercise apparatus may be configured with more than one set of attachments so that more than one person can exercise at the same time. It should also be noted that the terms headboard and footboard are essentially interchangeable and structural limitations and variations discussed by one exemplary embodiment of the bed exercise apparatus may be applied to the other exemplary embodiments as well.
