MULTI-PURPOSE EXERCISE BENCH WITH VERSATILE RESISTANCE ACCESSORY
20170036058 ยท 2017-02-09
Inventors
Cpc classification
A63B23/1272
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A63B21/0435
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A63B23/1263
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A63B21/00065
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A63B23/1254
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A63B23/1236
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A63B23/12
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A63B21/0442
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A63B23/1227
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A63B21/4023
HUMAN NECESSITIES
International classification
A63B21/00
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A63B23/12
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A63B21/072
HUMAN NECESSITIES
Abstract
A multi-purpose exercise bench having a versatile resistance accessory configurable for use to provide weight-training resistance in a variety of exercises is provided. A multi-purpose exercise bench comprises: an elongated frame configured to rest on a flat floor in a stable manner; a lower seat portion supported on the frame; a resistance accessory mounted to the frame, the resistance accessory comprising: a pad movably mounted to the frame to be movable between a first position and a second position; a locking mechanism operable to lock the pad in either of the first position and the second position; and a plurality of resistance bands attached to the pad. A multi-purpose exercise system include the multi-purpose exercise bench and an exercise bar defining at least one groove dimension to receive at least one receiver ring attached to at least one of the resistance bands.
Claims
1-21. (canceled)
22. A multi-purpose exercise system, comprising: a multi-purpose exercise bench comprising: an elongated frame configured to rest on a flat floor in a stable manner, said frame comprising a longitudinally-extending member supported at each end by a respective leg, at least one of said legs comprising a ground-engaging support member extending transversely to the longitudinally-extending member for engaging the floor to support the frame in the stable manner; a lower seat portion supported on the frame; a resistance accessory mounted to the frame, the resistance accessory comprising: a pad movably mounted to the ground-engaging support member of the frame to be movable between a first position and a second position; a locking mechanism operable to lock the pad in either of the first position and the second position; and a plurality of resistance bands attached to the pad, each of said plurality of resistance bands terminating with a respective receiver ring; and an exercise bar defining a groove dimensioned to receive one of said receiver rings.
23. The multi-purpose exercise system of claim 22, wherein said exercise bar comprises a rigid bar defining the groove by providing a groove portion having a cross-section smaller than a corresponding cross-section of portions of the bar adjacent the groove portion.
24. The multi-purpose exercise system of claim 23, wherein the rigid bar is configured as one of a barbell, a short bar, an EZ-curl bar, and a tricep bar.
25. The multi-purpose exercise system of claim 22, wherein said exercise bar is configured as one of a barbell, an EZ-curl bar, and a tricep bar, and wherein said exercise bar comprises a longitudinally-extending bar having a pair of opposed ends, the exercise bar defining a plurality of grooves, a respective one of said plurality of grooves being defined adjacent each of said pair of opposed ends.
26. A multi-purpose exercise system, comprising: a plurality of resistance bands, each of said plurality of resistance bands terminating with a respective receiver ring; and an exercise bar defining a groove dimensioned to receive one of said receiver rings.
27. The multi-purpose exercise system of claim 26, wherein each receiver ring is shaped to fit into the groove to rotate freely.
28. The multi-purpose exercise system of claim 26, wherein each receiver ring has a first part shaped to fit into the groove to rotate freely, and a second part, larger than the first part, that provides an attachment point for respective resistance bands.
29. The multi-purpose exercise system of claim 28, wherein each receiver ring is formed as a continuous loop.
30. The multi-purpose exercise system of claim 26, wherein each receiver ring is formed as a continuous loop.
31. The multi-purpose exercise system of claim 26, further comprising: at least one resistance band housing comprising a hollow outer tube and a hollow inner tube positioned within the hollow outer tube, each of the plurality of resistance bands extending around the inner tube and passing transversely through a wall of the hollow outer tube.
32. The multi-purpose exercise system of claim 31, further comprising a leg and back accessory 50, the leg and back accessory comprising: a flexible strap, the strap having a pair of opposed ends, the flexible strap comprising a protrusion adjacent a first end of the strap, the protrusion having a thickness greater than a remaining portion of the strap; a swing arm assembly for attaching the plurality of resistance bands to the accessory, the swing arm assembly being joined to the strap adjacent a second end of the strap opposite the first end of the strap, the swing arm assembly comprising: a swing arm plate joined to the pad, the swing arm plate comprising a swing arm pin lock defining a curved path; and a swing arm pin having a first end captured by the swing arm plate, and a second end movable between an open position in which the second end is free of the curved path so that the resistance bands can be looped over the swing arm pin and a closed position in which the second end is captured within the curved path by the swing arm plate so that the plurality of resistance bands is retained by the swing arm pin.
33. The multi-purpose exercise system of claim 32, wherein the swing arm assembly comprises a hook, and wherein the leg and back accessory further comprises a latch joined to the strap adjacent its first end, the latch being adapted to mate with the hook to join the first end of the strap to the send end of the strap.
34. The multi-purpose exercise system of claim 32, further comprising a stiff spacer for joining multiple leg and back accessories.
35. A multi-purpose exercise system comprising a leg and back accessory, the leg and back accessory comprising: a flexible strap, the strap having a pair of opposed ends, the flexible strap comprising a protrusion adjacent a first end of the strap, the protrusion having a thickness greater than a remaining portion of the strap; a swing arm assembly for attaching a plurality of resistance bands to the accessory, the swing arm assembly being joined to the strap adjacent a second end of the strap opposite the first end of the strap, the swing arm assembly comprising: a swing arm plate joined to the pad, the swing arm plate comprising a swing arm pin lock defining a curved path; and a swing arm pin having a first end captured by the swing arm plate, and a second end movable between an open position in which the second end is free of the curved path so that the resistance bands can be looped over the swing arm pin and a closed position in which the second end is captured within the curved path by the swing arm plate so that the plurality of resistance bands is retained by the swing arm pin.
36. The multi-purpose exercise system of claim 35, wherein the swing arm assembly comprises a hook, and wherein the leg and back accessory further comprises a latch joined to the strap adjacent its first end, the latch being adapted to mate with the hook to join the first end of the strap to the send end of the strap.
37. The multi-purpose exercise system of claim 35, further comprising a stiff spacer for joining multiple leg and back accessories.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0009] An understanding of the following description will be facilitated by reference to the attached drawings, in which:
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0032] The present invention provides a multi-purpose exercise bench having a versatile resistance accessory configurable for use to provide weight-training resistance in a variety of exercises.
[0033] An exemplary bench is shown in
[0034] In accordance with the present invention, the bench 1 further includes a versatile resistance accessory including a pad 8 mounted to the frame. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the pad 8 is mounted at the head end of the bench, adjacent the back leg 12. In accordance with the present invention, the pad 8 provides an attachment point for one or more resistance bands that may be used to provide resistance during strength training exercises.
[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the pad 8 is mounted to the frame for movement between first and second positions. In the embodiment shown, the pad 8 is pivotably mounted to the back leg 12, and is pivotable between a first position in which the pad 8 is substantially vertical, and a second position in which the pad 8 is substantially horizontal, as shown in
[0036] Further the pad is preferably lockable in one or more positions, so that the pad 8 and resistance bands tend to provide resistance during strength training. In the illustrated embodiment, the pad is provided with pins that nest within a horizontal portion of the back leg 12, so that the pad 8 may rotate relative to the rear leg, as best shown in
[0037] In some embodiments, the pad 8 is not merely a unitary rigid plate-like body, but instead includes first and second portions movable relative to one another, as shown in
[0038] The resistance bands are mounted to the pad 8. In this embodiment the resistance bands are joined in a resistance band housing unit 10, as shown in
[0039] The pad 8 includes swing arms 6, which serve as attachments points for attaching the resistance band units 10 to the pad 8. Preferably, the swing arms 6 are attached toward the distal end of the pad on both lateral sides, as shown in
[0040] To facilitate use of the exercise bench in certain exercises, e.g., with the pad 8 positioned horizontally along the floor, it may be desirable to straddle the bench while standing on the pad 8, as shown in
[0041] Any suitable seat may be used. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the bench includes a seat as provided in accordance with the present invention, as shown in
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[0048] In use, the assembled bench may be adjusted as desired before performing an exercisee.g., to position the lower seat 28 in a suitable location along the frame rail, and to position the backrest 24 at a suitable position on the frame (flat or inclined), or removed from the frame, e.g., by manipulating the backrest 24 and its associated pin receivers relative to the pins on the frame rail 16 and/or lower seat 28 until the pins align with the splits in the pins receivers, and the moving the backrest to separate the pin receivers from the pins.
[0049] Next, the pad may be positioned as desired, e.g., in a upright or horizontal position, e.g., by unlocking the pad 8 by moving the appropriate actuator of the pad locking mechanism, pivoting the pad 8 until the holes in the flanges of the pad 8 and rear foot 12 align with the pad in the desired position, and then manipulating the actuator of the locking mechanism to lock the pad in the desired position.
[0050] Next the user may selected an appropriate bar/handle, attach the appropriate receiver rings 32A to the bar/handle, if necessary (in some embodiments the rings are permanently joined to the bar/handle), and then attach the clips of one or more resistance bands of the resistance band housing units 10 to the receiver rings 32A to provide the desired level of resistance.
[0051] Next, the user may manipulate the bar/handle in performance of the desired strength training exercise, against the resistance of the attached resistance bands.
[0052] A list of reference numerals is provided below for reference purposes:
TABLE-US-00001 2A Small Rubber Pad 2B Large Rubber Pad 6 Swing Arm 6A Swing arm Plate 6B Swing arm Spring 6C Swing Arm Pin 6D Swing arm Pin Lock 6E Swing Arm Hinge 8 The Pad 8A Platform 8B Rail 8C Pad Inserts aka hinges 8D Pad protective strips for rail 8E Ball Bearings 8F Screws For Hinges 8G Hinge 8H Stopper For Hinge 8I Pad Flange 8J Pad Flange Hole 10 Resistance Band Housing Unit 10A Hollow Center Tube 10B Outer shell 10C Resistance bands 10D Clips 12 Back Leg 12A Back Foot With Flange 12B Flange Hole 12C Pin Or Bolt 12D Leg Protective Strip 12E protective strips for back foot 14 Pad Locker 14A Pad Locker Handle 14B Locker Bolt 14C Guide For The Bolt 14D Guide For The bolt and Pin insert 14E Pad locker Hinge Pin 16 Rail 16A End Cap 16B Flat Pin 16C Rail Holes 18 Front Leg 18A Bolt or pin 18B Front Foot 18C Front foot caps 20 Knee Cushion 20A Knee Cushion Rail Cap 20B Knee Cushion Pole 20C Knee cushion Bolt 22 Shin Cushion 22A Shin Cushion holder 22B Shin Cushion Bolt 24 Upper Seat 24A Cushion 24B Upper Seat Rails With Flat Pin Receivers 24C Cross Brace Big 24D Cross Brace Small 24E Screws For Cushion 26 Incline Adjuster 26A Flat Pin Receiver 26B Bolt 26C Stabilizers 28 Lower Seat 28A Cushion 28B Wheel Housing Unit 28C Wheels 28D Wheel Frames 28E Wheel Pins 28F Clip Holder 28G Stopper Bolt 28H Stopper Hole 30 Lower Seat Handles 30A Handle Housing That Holds Knobbed screw 30B Handle With Knobbed Screw 31 Front Leg 32 Barbell 32A Receiver Ring 34 Short Bar 36 Triceps Rope 38 Single Handles 39 Ankle Cuffs 40 EZ Curl Bar 42 Pull-Down Bar 44 Belt 46 Tricep Bar 48 Close Grip Handle 50 Accessory 50A Cloth Strip 50B Protrusion 50C Swing Arm With Hook 50D Latch 50E Spacer PARTS LIST 2A Small Rubber Pad-Attached to the top front of the pad for comfort 2B Large Rubber Pad-Attached to the top back of the pad for comfort 6 Swing Arm-The swing arm allows the resistance bands to be secured in place quickly and easily 6A Swing Arm Plate-Is the part of the swing arm that is secured directly to the rail of the pad and is the foundation of the swing arms 6B Swing Arm Spring-This add tension to the swing arm pin 6C Swing Arm Pin-This is what the resistance bands are secured with 6D Swing arm Pin Lock-This holds the swing arm in place 6E Swing Arm Hinge-This part houses the swing arm pin and spring 8 The Pad-This is the platform that the swing arms attach to the sides of, where the user may stand on for certain exercises and which folds in an up or down position depending on the desired location of the swing arms 8A Platform-The platform of the pad is the biggest portion of the pad and may be used to stand on when the pad is folded down against the floor. The back of the platform also acts as a foot rest for the user when the pad is folded up against the leg. 8B Rail-The rails run along the sides of the platform. They act as structural support for the pad and is what the swing arms are attached directly to 8C Pad Inserts/Hinges-The back of the pad has two pegs that fit into the foot of the back leg. They are used the secure the pad to the bench and as a hinge point for the pad and gives the pad its folding capabilities. 8D Pad Protective Strips For Rail-these plastic or rubber pieces cap the bottom of the pad to prevent the metal of the rail from scratching the floor 8E Ball Bearings-These ball bearings are sandwiched between the pad inserts and the inside of the back foot. They provide smooth and stable folding of the pad. 8F Screws For Hinges-Because of the rigidity of the pad and the back foot, the pad inserts cannot be a piece of the pad. They must be separate. Once the pad inserts are placed into the back foot, the rails of the pad can now be screwed to them 8G Hinge-The hinge runs along the platform of the pad from one rail to the other and is located more to the front of the pad. The purpose of the hinge is that when the pad is folded up against the leg, that portion of the pad can hinge forward for a more comfortable foot rest 8H Stopper For Hinge-The stopper is a piece of metal that prevents the front portion of the platform from folding too far 81 Pad Flange-This is simply an area for holes at the back of the rails of the pad. 8J Pad Flange Hole-The holes in the pad flange line up with the holes of the back foot flange for the pad locker bolt to slide into. 10 Resistance Band Housing Unit-This is designed to house multiplebands in one unit for convenience and easy handling 10A Hollow Center Tube-This center tube secures the resistance bands on the outside of it. the center of the tube slides onto the swing arm pins. 10B Outer Shell-The outer shell of the resistance band housing unit helps to secure the resistance bands in place neatly and acts as a shield for the portion of the bands wrapped around the hollow center tube. 10C Resistance Bands-The exercise bench uses a series of resistance bands from heavy duty to very lightweight 10D Clips-The clips of the resistance bands can be hooked on the bar, grip, handle or lower seat clip, depending on the exercise desired 12 Back Leg-The back leg of the bench can be folded open or closed. The top of the leg has a unique shape to allow it to fold without fitting snug against the bottom of the rail. This small gap is enough for the pad to be used when folded against the back leg. 12A Back Foot With Flange-On the top of the farthest extensions of the back foot is an area for holes. 12B Flange Hole-These holes are to be used in conjunction with the pad flange and the pad locker. 12C Pin Or Bolt-This is simple a way to secure the back leg to the rail and still be able to hinge for folding open or closed. 12D Leg Protective Strip-These plastic or rubber pieces are secured to the back of the back leg to prevent the metal of the back leg from scratching the floor when the leg is folded closed. 12E Protective Strips For Back Foot-These plastic or rubber pieces cap the bottom of the back foot to prevent the metal of the back foot from scratching the floor 14 Pad Locker-The purpose of the pad locker is to lock the pad in place when it is folded up or down. 14A Pad Locker Handle-The pad locker handle is used to manipulate the pad locker bolt in and out of the flange holes 14B Locker Bolt-The locker bolt fits snugly into both the back foot flange and the pad flange holes. While the bolt is moved into the holes the pad cannot move from its position. 14C Guide For The Bolt-The guide for the bolt is two rises on the top of the back foot with small protrusions that fit into grooves in the side of the bolt. This keeps the bolt lined up with the holes of the flanges 14D Guide For The bolt and Pin insert-This is another guide just like the bolt guide and works the same way. the difference is that this particular guides not only guide the bolt but also act as a hinge point for the pad locker handle 14E Pad locker Hinge Pin-This is simply a small pin that fits through the guide for the bold and pin insert and the handle of the pad licker allowing the handle to be used as needed 16 Rail-The rail is the horizontal piece held up by the legs and on which the upper and lower seats sit. 16A End Cap-The rail is capped on its end closest to the back leg 16B Flat Pin-The flat pin sits near the back of the rail and is used to secure the upper seat to the rail via a rod called the incline adjuster 16C Rail Holes-There are a series of holes in the rail to be used in conjunction with the lower seat and a stopper bolt. These holes are used to stop the lower seat from rolling. 18 Front Leg-The front leg is the front leg of the bench 18A Pin or Bolt-This secures the front leg to the rail while still allowing it to fold open or closed against the rail 18B Front Foot-The front foot is at the bottom of the front leg and stabilizes the bench. 18C Front foot caps-The front foot caps are rubber or plastic caps to protect the floor from being scratched by the foot 20 Knee Cushion-The knee cushion is located near the front of the rail. The cushion is useful for many abdominal or leg exercises 20A Knee Cushion Rail Cap-The knee cushion rail cap is secured to the front of the rail and is used to hold the knee cushion pole 20B Knee Cushion Pole-The knee cushion pole is used to hold the actual pads used for cushioning 20C Knee cushion Bolts-The knee cushion bolts secure the knee cushion rail cap to the rail 22 Shin Cushion-The shin cushion is located approximately half way down the back of the front leg. It is useful for cushioning during certain abdominal exercises 22A Shin Cushion holder-The shin cushion holder is a piece secured directly to the front leg and holds the actual pad used for cushioning 22B Shin Cushion Bolt-This bolt secures the shin cushion holder to the front leg 24 Upper Seat-The upper seat is the long portion of the working surface of the exercise bench 24A Cushion-For the upper seat 24B Upper Seat Rails With Flat Pin Receivers-the upper seat rail or frame has two flat pin receivers to be used to secure the upper seat to the lower seat 24C Cross Brace Big-This helps to hold the upper seat rails or frame together 24D Cross Brace Small-This helps to hold the upper seat rails or frame together 24E Screws For Cushion-These secure the cushion to the frame 26 Incline Adjuster-This rod is used to secure the upper seat to the rail. It is also used to adjust the angle of the upper seat 26A Flat Pin Receiver-This is a portion of the incline adjuster used with the flat pin of the rail 26B Bolt-this bolt secures the incline adjuster to the upper seat 26C Stabilizers-These keep the upper seat stable during use 28 Lower Seat-This is the small portion of the working surface of the exercise bench 28A Cushion-For the lower seat 28B Wheel Housing Unit-This is the major portion of the lower seat which everything is secured to. 28C Wheels-The 8 wheels are mounted under and inside of the wheel housing unit to allow ease of use when adjusting the angle of the upper seat cushion 28D Wheel Frames-These hold the wheels 28E Wheel Pins-These are the ball bearing axis for the wheels 28F Clip Holder-These are secure to either side of the wheel housing unit and is used to clip the resistance band to during certain exercises 28G Stopper Bolt-This is used to not allow the wheel housing unit to roll along the rail 28H Stopper Hole-the hole used by the stopper bolt in conjunction with the rail holes 30 Lower Seat Handles-These are on either side of the wheel housing unit and to be used during certain leg or abdominal exercises. The handles are featured to be able to unscrew enough to be folded against the lower seat, and screwed tightly again to secure it in place. 30A Handle Housing That Holds Knobbed Screw-This secures the actual handle to the wheel housing unit 30B Handle With Knobbed Screw-The knobbed end of the screw ensures that the handle cannot unscrew completely from the handles 32 Barbell-this barbell is shorter than traditional barbells because it doesn't use traditional weights. It is approximately 48 inches 32A Receiver Ring-The receiver ring fits into a groove of the barbell or other handle. It is shaped so that it cannot be removed from the bar yet spins freely. It also has a portion to allow multiple resistance bands to be attached to it. 34 Short Bar-This is a bar approximately 16 inches with a single groove and receiver ring in the middle of it 36 Triceps Rope-A traditional tricep rope with a receiver ring 38 Single Handles-Traditional handles with a receiver ring 39 Ankle Cuffs-Cushioned cuffs with a receiver ring on each 40 EZ Curl Bar-Just like the barbell just with an ergonomic shape 42 Pull-Down Bar-A traditional pull down bar with a receiver ring 44 Belt-A belt to be used for leg presses with a receiver rings on each side of it 46 Tricep Bar-A traditional tricep bar with a receiver rings 48 Close Grip Handle-A traditional close grip handle with an area to accept multiple resistance band clips 50 Accessory-The accessory can be use two different ways. The first way is as an overhead pull down device. The cloth straps can be placed between a door and a door frame. The protrusion in each strap prevents the strap from pulling through the door opening when the door is closed. There are two swing arms which resistance bands housing units can be secured to. The second way to use the accessory is as a leg exerciser. This is accomplished by clasping it around the front foot of the exercise bench and securing it via the latch and hook on the swing arms 50A Cloth Strip-These are thin enough to fit most doorways yet strong enough to handle the load stress placed upon it 50B Protrusion-This is sewn into the straps and prevents the straps from pulling through the doorway 50C Swing Arm With Hook-These are just like swing arms in every respect except they have a hook portion to it to work along with the latch 50D Latch-The latch secures the accessory around the front foot 50E Spacer-The spacer ensures proper spacing between the straps
[0053] Having thus described a few particular embodiments of the invention, various alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications, and improvements as are made obvious by this disclosure are intended to be part of this description though not expressly stated herein, and are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description is by way of example only, and not limiting. The invention is limited only as defined in the following claims and equivalents thereto.