GB2546493A

GB2546493A - An exercise device

Info

Publication number: GB2546493A
Application number: GB1600956.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Francis Ash Allan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-01-12
Filing date: 2016-01-12
Publication date: 2017-07-26
Anticipated expiration: 2036-01-12
Also published as: GB201600956D0; GB2546493B

Abstract

An exercise device comprises a lateral base 3 arranged to contact the floor in use; and two spaced apart upstanding members 2, each with a handle 1 at the top which is able to rotate. There may be means to reduce a dimension of the device for transportation or storage, which may comprise a pivot, joint or hinge. The members and base may form a splayed U shape when the device is in an open use position and an L shape when in a closed position. The device provides a portable means of providing two handles at an appropriate height and spacing for push-up or dipping exercises and is suitable for a home location.

Description

AN EXERCISE DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an exercise device, in particular a portable exercise device; more particularly but not exclusively a portable exercise device for use in a doorway.

Background

Increasing numbers of users pursue fitness and a variety of exercise regimes.

In particular many users join gymnasiums to keep fit and get in shape.

However attending the gym may not always be possible for some users, for example when lacking in time. Gym equipment is often unwieldy and impractical in a home, particularly smaller homes wherein dedicated spaces are in short supply.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following:

International patent application WO 2015 073 298 (LENTZ et al) discloses an exercise device configured to be secured within a doorway for performing exercises and configured for use on a ground surface to perform exercises, the device comprising: an elongate, horizontal bar configured for engagement with a top surface of horizontal doorframe trim extending along a rear facing wall directly above the doorway, a pair of support arms in parallel spaced relation to one other, each support arm having a first end attached to a respective end of the horizontal bar and extending downward therefrom so that second ends of the support arms extend forward of the horizontal bar through the doorway, an elongate pivot bar extending through apertures in the second ends of the support arms so as to be perpendicular to the support arms, the pivot bar having a telescoping bar portion inserted in each end thereof which is retractable into and extensible out of its respective pivot bar end, each telescoping bar portion engageable with front-facing, vertical door trim on each i side of the doorway to assist in securing the exercise device in the doorway with the horizontal bar, a pair of pivot arms in parallel spaced relation to one other and having first ends with apertures therein through which the pivot bar extends in perpendicular relation thereto, a first end of each pivot arm adjacent a corresponding second end of a support arm on the pivot bar, the pivot arms configured to be rotated about the pivot bar at their first ends so as to be oriented and secured in a plurality of different angular positions relative to the support arms, and each pivot arm terminating in a second end having an aperture therein through which an elongate pull-up bar extends between in perpendicular relation thereto.

United States patent application US 2013 244 836 (MAUGHAN et al) discloses an exercise system selectively suspendable from a door frame, the exercise device comprising: a right forearm engaging member that supports at least a portion of the weight of a user during the performance of an exercise; a left forearm engaging member that supports at least a portion of the weight of a user during the performance of an exercise; and a connecting structure that attaches at one end to the right and left forearm engaging members and that has an attachment mechanism at the other end that facilitates selective suspension of the right and left forearm engaging members from a door frame.

Granted United States patent US 7 651 449 (BALENTINE) discloses a dip stand comprising: rigid tubing formed as a continuous loop, said loop including a pair of generally parallel base segments to be supported on a floor surface, each of said base segments having a first end and a second end, and a pair of arches extending upwardly from said base segments, one of said arches extending upwardly from said first ends of said base segments and the other of said arches extending upwardly from said second ends of said base segments, and each of said arches including an upper generally horizontal grip segment said upper generally horizontal grip segments being thirty-six inches above said base segments such that said dip stand has sufficient height to function as a dip stand; said base segments being of unequal lengths, and said arches and grip segments being offset from being parallel to each other.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided an exercise device comprising: a lateral base arranged to contact the floor in use; and two spaced apart upstanding members arranged to define a width therebetween; wherein the members comprise uppermost handles, and the handles are arranged to rotate.

Advantageously therefore the device comprises a portable means of providing two handles at an appropriate height and spacing in a convenient and typically available location in a home or other building. Said handles comprise a convenient means of providing an exercise regime for push-ups or dipping.

The width may correlate approximately or substantially to a standard door frame or door opening.

The width may be larger than the length of the base. The handles may be enabled to rotate axially with respect to an axis defined by the members.

In embodiments where the width is larger than the base the handles may be easier enabled to rotate through 360 degrees.

The handles may comprise means to lock rotation to prevent unauthorised or accidental mid-exercise rotation. In some embodiments the handles may comprise a swaged rod support. In some embodiments the handles may comprise endmost supports and a lateral cross handgrip. In some embodiments the handles may rotate or swing about the axis on the member ends, so as to allow tactile feedback, for example comprising a swaged rod support.

In some embodiments the device comprises a minimisation means to minimise the device for transport or storage. Such means may be provided by a hinge in or on the base and may minimise the width only or other dimensions also.

The hinge may be located central to the width, so as to allow the members to approximate.

The device may comprise height adjustment, wherein the adjustable height relates to height of provision of the handles. In some embodiments this height adjustment comprises adjustment of the height of the handles with respect to the members. In some embodiments the handles may be provided on a screw thread, for example wherein the handles may be screwed in or out to change their height.

In other embodiments in addition or the alternative the height adjustment comprises adjustment of the members' axial length with respect to the base.

The height adjustment may comprise coaxial telescopic adjustment of the members. The height adjustment may comprise a plurality of discrete positions, such as pin and hole adjustment, wherein the two handles or members may be easily adjusted to the same height.

For example the base may comprise a minimisation means, said minimisation means for example comprising coaxial telescoping, or at least one hinge. In this way the base may be folded and the members brought together.

In some embodiments the device may comprise an adjustment mechanism. Said adjustment mechanism may comprise a mechanism to expand the width. For example in some embodiments the adjustment mechanism may comprise the minimisation means reversed. In other embodiments the adjustment mechanism may comprise expansion portions. Such portions may expand or extend outwards from the members and/or base.

In some embodiments the portions comprise screwthreads, wherein the portions may be screwed outwards or into the device as appropriate.

In some embodiments the portions may comprise spring bias, wherein the portions may be biased outwards or pushed into the device as appropriate.

In some embodiments therefore it may be envisaged that the members are biased to splay or expand outwards, wherein the portions comprise a contact with the door frame uprights.

The portions may be arranged to accept or absorb pressure or force between the members and the frame, wherein for example the portions may comprise resiliently deformable material such as an elastomer or cellular structure.

In some embodiments the base comprises padding, which padding is arranged to cover the base, for example in particular any minimisation means, and provide comfortable and/or secure footing for a user, who may for example be barefooted.

The members and/or base may be formed from tubular metal or alloy, wherein the members and base may be formed of a single part, or two parts, for example curved or radiused at the comers, and for example biased towards a splayed U shape. In some embodiments the base and members may be joined by diagonal braces.

In some embodiments the base may comprise at least one depending foot which acts to contact the underlying ground surface. In this way the base may be strengthened appropriately and/or weight distributed or uneven surfaces accommodated. Such feet may therefore include adjustment or resilient deformation.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention, in an open position;

Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 in a closed position;

Figure 4 shows a second isometric view of the embodiment as shown in Figure 3; Figure 5 shows a front view of the embodiment as shown in Figure 1;

Figures 6 show side views of the embodiment as shown in Figure 3;

Figure 7 shows a side view of the embodiment as shown in Figure 1;

Figure 8 shows a plan view from below of the embodiment as shown in Figure 1; Figure 9a shows a plan view from above of the embodiment as shown in Figure 3;

Figure 9b shows a front view of the embodiment as shown in Figure 3; and

Figure 10 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment as shown in Figure 1.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of the device comprising two spaced apart upstanding members 2, with uppermost handles 1.

The members comprise circular section cylinders of metal such as steel, or alloy, so as to provide inherent strength and avoid undesirable flexure towards or away from the user in use and under weight. The upstanding members are continuous with the base, joining therewith at radiused comers.

In the pictured embodiment the section is 32mm diameter and formed in aluminium. In other embodiments the section may be rectangular, oval or otherwise non-regular, so as to provide increased torsional strength in a preferred direction.

The base 3 spaces the members apart. The base comprises a central hinge joint 5. The joint comprises the minimisation means.

The joint comprises a two parts 16,17 comprised triangular supports of barrel and pintle hinge parts respectively. The joint is covered uppermost by a bipartite frustoconical extension 20 of the base padding 4. The joint regularly spaces the members apart in the closed position, advantageously such that handle movement is permitted.

The joint comprises a joint securement means, comprising a displaceable key 15, which is placed into a first hole through the barrel and pintle when the hinge when it is open so as to prevent return. In some embodiments the hinge may be sprung biased to close. In some embodiments a second hole is provided for when the hinge is closed.

The base further comprises uppermost padding to reduce risk of injury, particularly for resting or tired users, particularly from catch in the joint, and/or comfort for un-shoed feet, advantageously aiding use in domestic environments.

The base further comprises rotating stands 6. These stands comprise capped lengths of cylindrical material as the members and base, of an identical diameter. The stands are secured to the base centrally at a pivot pin 18 and self-lubricating washer 25. In this way the stands may be turned through at least 180 degrees with reference to the base.

This ensures that the stands can be brought into line with the base to aid in storage and transport of the device, for example in the closed position. The stands can also be rotated to orthogonal with the base, and consequently act to brace the weight on the device, and limit displacement of the device from the doorway.

The stands may be provided on screw threads, which threads allow the stands to be screwed into the base more or less so as to adjust for local irregularities.

The base further includes two outermost feet 7, which feet comprise depending thermoplastic mouldings, which depend below the members, so as to provide support for the members and absorb the user's weight. The feet comprise splaying arms 14 to provide greater stability and a scooped member interface to provide maximal interface with the cylindrical and radiused member comer.

The handles comprise splaying legs 9 and a crosswise handgrip 10, which handgrip is covered with an ergonomic material such as wood or a wipedean synthetic or natural elastomer.

The handles are arranged to rotate about axes defined by the members. In this way the handles may advantageously be used with a plurality of attitudes, allowing a greater range of exercise regime and variation for user preference.

The handles comprise raised and lowered parts 19 so as to allow for the user’s fingers. The handles comprise a crown gear 24 to allow incremental and controlled rotation of the handles with respect to the members and a compression spring 23 which fix the handle in place once an angle has been chosen.

The members further comprise an adjustment mechanism comprising a mechanism to expand the width so as to brace against a doorway. The mechanism comprises two vertically spaced adjustment portions 8 on each upstanding member. These portions are provided on screwthreads shanks 21, which are inserted into collars 11 on the members. The portions further comprise oval supports 12 and centrally projecting contact studs 13, and may be formed in resiliently deformable material such as thermoplastics or elastomer.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention. Firstly it will be understood that any features described in relation to any particular embodiment may be featured in combinations with other embodiments.

With respect to the specification therefore, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention, with variation and implementation obvious and clear on the basis of either common general knowledge or of expert knowledge in the field concerned. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as set out in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. An exercise device comprising: a lateral base arranged to contact the floor in use; and two spaced apart upstanding members arranged to define a width therebetween; wherein the members comprise uppermost handles, and the handles are arranged to rotate. '

2. An exercise device according to claim 1 comprising a minimisation means for reducing the dimensions of the device for transport or storage.

3. An exercise device according to claim 2 wherein the means comprises at least one pivot, joint or hinge.

4. An exercise device according to claim 3 wherein the pivot, hinge or joint is central to the base.

5. An exercise device according to any preceding claim wherein the width is larger than the base.

6. An exercise device according to any preceding claim comprising an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the width.

7. An exercise device according to claim 6 wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises a plurality of portions extending outwards from the upstanding members.

8. An exercise device according to any preceding claim wherein the upstanding members are formed from tubular metal or alloy

9. An exercise device according to claim 8 wherein the members and base are continuous.

10. An exercise device according to any preceding claim wherein the members and base comprise a splayed U shape when the device is in an open use position.

11. An exercise device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the members and base comprise an L shape when the device is in a closed storage or transport position.

12. An exercise device substantially as described herein with reference to the figures.