EXERCISE APPARATUS

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an exercise apparatus that includes a longitudinally extending support member and a pair of bar padded members attached transversely to the support member. The longitudinally extending support member includes one or more openings in a spaced-apart configuration along the support member configured to be used to attach the exercise device to a vertical structure, and the pair of bar members are arranged in a spaced-apart and substantially parallel configuration with respect to one another along the support member to allow the device to be used to perform exercises. For example, the exercise apparatus is configured to be used to perform physical exercises that include but are not limited to nordic curls, bulgarian split squats, elevated push ups, copenhagen, sit ups, straight leg elevated sit ups, and elevated glute bridges.

Claims

1. An exercise apparatus comprising: a longitudinally extending support member including one or more openings in a spaced-apart configuration disposed along the support member; and at least two bar members attached transversely to the support member, wherein the two bar members are arranged in a spaced-apart and substantially parallel configuration with respect to one another along the support member.

2. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the two bar members are each at least partially padded with a cushioning material.

3. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support member is substantially rectangularly-shaped and includes a low-profile thickness.

4. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the low-profile thickness is within a range of about ? inch and about 1 inch.

5. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least two bar members are welded to the support member.

6. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least two bar members are removably attached to the support member via a fastener.

7. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support member is attachable to a vertical structure.

8. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support member is removably attachable to a vertical structure via a fastener.

9. The exercise apparatus of claim 8, wherein the supported vertical structure includes a wall surface, a pole, or an upright exercise rig.

10. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein one or more openings of the one or more openings of the support member substantially align with one or more openings on a vertical structure to secure the exercise apparatus to the vertical structure.

11. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support member includes at least one attachment member for removably securing a secondary exercise device to the exercise apparatus.

12. The exercise apparatus of claim 11, wherein the attachment member is disposed in-between padding material that is partially covering a bar member.

13. An exercise apparatus comprising: a longitudinally extending support member including one or more openings in a spaced-apart configuration disposed along the support member; and at least two bar members attached transversely to the support member, wherein the two bar members are arranged in a spaced-apart and substantially parallel configuration with respect to one another along the support member, and wherein each of the two bar members include padding material in a spaced-apart configuration that leaves exposed a portion of the bar member, and the exposed portion of the bar member is secured to the support member.

14. The exercise apparatus of claim 13, wherein the at least two bar members are welded to the support member.

15. The exercise apparatus of claim 13, wherein the at least two bar members are removably attached to the support member via a fastener.

16. The exercise apparatus of claim 13, wherein one or more openings of the one or more openings of the support member substantially align with one or more openings on a vertical structure to secure the exercise apparatus to the vertical structure.

17. The exercise apparatus of claim 13, wherein the support member includes at least one attachment member for removably securing a secondary exercise device to the exercise apparatus.

18. The exercise apparatus of claim 13, wherein the support member is substantially rectangularly-shaped and including a substantially flat rear surface.

19. The exercise apparatus of claim 13, wherein the exercise apparatus is configured to be used to perform physical exercises that include at least nordic curls, bulgarian split squats, elevated push ups, copenhagen, sit ups, straight leg elevated sit ups, and elevated glute bridges.

20. An exercise system comprising: an upright exercise rig including at least one vertical structure member; and an exercise apparatus, comprising, a longitudinally extending support member including one or more openings in a spaced-apart configuration disposed along the support member, the one or more openings of the support member substantially alignable with one or more openings on the vertical structure member to secure the exercise apparatus to the vertical structure member; and at least two bar members attached transversely to the support member, wherein the two bar members are arranged in a spaced-apart and substantially parallel configuration with respect to one another along the support member, and wherein each of the two bar members include padding material in a spaced-apart configuration that leaves exposed a portion of the bar member, and the exposed portion of the bar member is secured to the support member.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit the invention, where like designations denote like elements, and in which:

[0029] FIG. 1 presents an isometric frontal view of an exercise apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] FIG. 2 presents another isometric rear view an exercise apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] FIG. 3 presents an isometric view of an exercise apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention attached to a post or rack affixed to a floor;

[0032] FIG. 4 presents an isometric view of an exercise apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention attached to a post and configured to removably receive a clip including resistance band; and

[0033] FIG. 5 presents an isometric view of an exercise apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention attached to a post or rack affixed to a floor, further showing an individual using the apparatus to perform Nordic hamstring curls.

[0034] Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word exemplary or illustrative means serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any implementation described herein as exemplary or illustrative is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms top, bottom, upper, lower, left, rear, right, front, vertical, horizontal, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary, or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

[0036] Shown throughout the figures, the present invention is directed toward an exercise apparatus or device that can be removably attached to another apparatus or device (e.g., another exercising machine) or can be attached securely to any suitable structure, such as to stud(s) in a wall, to concrete, or to a secured stand-alone pole or rack beam (e.g., upright standalone exercise rig).

[0037] With reference to FIGS. 1-5, an exercise apparatus 100 of the present invention is exemplary shown. As exemplified in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the exercise apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a vertically extending support member 102, and at least two bar members 104 and 106 that may each be attached transversely to the support member 102.

[0038] The support member 102 and the bar members 104 and 106 may be made of a suitable material that can provide sufficient rigidity and strength to withstand the forces to which they will be subjected repeated vigorous workouts. Such materials may include but are not limited to rigid, high strength metallic materials.

[0039] The particular cross-sectional shapes of the support member 102 are not particularly limited but should be configured to facilitate a sufficiently attachment to another apparatus or other structural member and to each of the bar members 104 and 106. Structural members include but are not limited to a stud in a wall, concrete, or a fixed pole, such as a rack (e.g., pole or rack 122 shown in FIG. 3). As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the support member 102 may be provided with one or more openings 120 of any suitable shape (e.g., circular) to facilitate attachment, either directly or indirectly, to another device or other structural member. The series of openings 120 in the support member 102 may also facilitate adjustability of the spacing between the bar members 104 and 106 depending on which openings 120, if any, are used for their attachment. The support member 102, as exemplary provided, may include a substantially flat body, where its length is longer than its width (e.g., rectangularly-shaped), with a sufficient thickness to provide rigidity. The thickness of the support member 102, as shown, does not substantially project from the structural member the support member 102 is attachable too. Put differently, the support member 102 provides a low profile and does not significantly project outwardly from the support member its attachable to. In one exemplary embodiment, the thickness of the support member comprises within a range of about ? inch to about 1 inch (plus or minus 0.05). Notwithstanding the foregoing, other cross-sectional shapes for the support member 102 are also contemplated. The manner in which the support member 102 can be attached to another apparatus or structural member is not particularly limited and may include threaded screws, fasteners with a quick release, nuts and bolts/washers 124 (as exemplified in FIG. 3), hitch pins, etc.

[0040] The at least two bar members 104 and 106 of the exercise device 100 may be arranged along the support member 102 in a spaced-apart, substantially parallel configuration with respect to each other. Attaching the at least two bar members 104 and 106 to the support member may include but is not limited to threaded screws, nuts and bolts/washers, welding, etc. The at least two bar members 104 and 106 are attached transversely to the support member 102 (e.g., substantially perpendicularly). The at least two bar members 104 and 106 can have any suitable cross-sectional shape, but a cylindrical shape as shown in FIGS. 1 through 5 may be used. Each of the two sides on each of the two bar members 104 and 106 may be at least partially padded with a cushioning material 108, 110, 112, and 114, such as resilient foam covered with polymeric material or leather.

[0041] In one exemplary configuration, the series of openings 120 in the support member 102 may be used to facilitate adjustability of the spacing between the bar members 104 and 106 depending on which openings 120, if any, are used for their attachment. The spacing between the two bar members 104 and 106 may be adjusted such that, for example, a person's ankles and feet can be comfortably engaged to the exercise apparatus 100 during the performance of a workout such as Nordic hamstring curls, as depicted in FIG. 5. In this regard, the bar members 104 and 106 are adjustably disposable on the support member 102. Additional exercises that can be used with the apparatus device include but are not limited to nordic curls, bulgarian split squats, elevated push ups, copenhagen, sit ups, straight leg elevated sit ups, and elevated glute bridges.

[0042] In one exemplary embodiment, the length of the support member 102 and the at least two bar members 104 and 106 may each be approximately 16 inches. The outer diameters and lengths of the padded portions on each side of the bar members 104 and 106 relative to the support member 102 as a center (i.e., the outer diameter and length of each of the cushioning materials 108, 110, 112, and 114) may be approximately 4 inches and 7 inches, respectively. The foregoing dimensions should be understood to be exemplary and not limiting.

[0043] Referring now to FIG. 4, the exercise apparatus 100 of the present invention in some instances include one or more attachment elements 116 and 118. In one exemplary embodiment, the attachment element is disposed on or in close proximity to the upper bar member 104 of the exercise apparatus 100. The attachment element may comprise but is not limited to a hook, ring, or closed loop to facility the attachment of additional exercise devices (e.g., a resistance band) thereto. The attachment element may also include an attachment surface that is configured to receive an attachment clip 126, such as carabiner, to attach an additional exercise device 128 to the exercise apparatus 100. This allows a person to use additional workout devices to increase the number of workouts beyond the numerous possible workouts already possible from the base exercise apparatus 100. Those additional work outs include but are not limited to press, rows, pulls, squats, lat pull down, kettlebell swings, squat jumps, high knees, jumping jacks, lateral shuffles, and back peddles with the use of bands or PVC.

[0044] The exercise device 100 is compact in size and shape, suitable for use in both a home setting and even in a large fitness center setting where multiple exercise machines can be installed for group workout sessions without cluttering the area. The exercise device 100 is also portable and easy to mount. As seen on FIGS. 3 and 5, the support member 102 of the exercise device 100 that attaches to a support structure 122 via a permanent or removable fastener 124 maintains a low profile. Put differently, when the support member 102 is attached to support structure 122, the bar members 104 and 106 do not protrude substantially outwardly therefrom. This novel improvement reduces the space needed to use the exercise device 100. Moreover, the exercise device 100 can withstand larger amount of force far greater than other conventional devices because the loads are passed onto the support structure 122 the exercise device 100 is attached to. This allows a person of greater mass to use the exercise device 100 without having to fear its failure.

[0045] Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claim(s) and their legal equivalents.