Universal fitness apparatus

• US 20060058158A1
• Filed: 08/19/2005
• Published: 03/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kevin J. Mcavoy
• Original Assignee: Pentagon South, Inc.
• Inventors: McAvoy, Kevin J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,147,591 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/38
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 1/00 Horizontal bars
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2023/006 for stretching exercises
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00047 Exercising devices not moving during use benches A63B21/4029; isometric exercising devices A63B21/0023; step exercisers A63B23/0458; walk exercisers A63B23/0464
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0023 for isometric exercising, i.e. substantial force variation without substantial muscle motion
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/068 using user's body weight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/169 for anchoring on or against a wall
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4035 for operation by hand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4047 Pivoting movement weight pivoting A63B21/0615
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/205 in a substantially vertical plane, e.g. for exercising against gravity exercising for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a user's body weight A63B21/068; with adjustable inclination A63B22/0023
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/09 Adjustable dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/093 Height
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/10 Multi-station exercising machines
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2244/225 Pole dancing
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03533 With separate means driven by each limb, i.e. performing different movements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0355 A single apparatus used for either upper or lower limbs, i.e. with a set of support elements driven either by the upper or the lower limb or limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/12 for upper limbs or related muscles, e.g. chest, upper back or shoulder muscles bench press exercises A63B21/078; for teaching music G09B15/06
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 9/00 Climbing poles, frames, or stages climbing walls for mountaineering training A63B69/0048; endless loop ladders A63B22/04
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/907 Stretching

Abstract

A universal fitness apparatus for force resistance, postural, and balance exercises. A flange assembly is coupled to a longitudinal shaft. The flange assembly can comprise receptacles for receiving handles or it can itself comprise handles. A user can support herself with the handles while performing a variety of exercises that target multiple muscle groups. The height of the handles can be adjusted by sliding the flange assembly along the shaft. Alternatively, the flange assembly and shaft can be mounted to a height adjustable runner coupled to a longitudinal track. A pin and/or lock to hold the flange assembly and/or runner at a particular height can be provided. The flange assembly can be rotationally coupled to the shaft so that the user can move the handles while performing oblique muscle movements. The receptacles and/or the handles can be pivotally movable such that the handles can be stored in an upright position.

Claims

1. A universal fitness apparatus comprising:

a longitudinal shaft;

a flange assembly, coupled to the longitudinal shaft, comprising a first receptacle and a second receptacle, each of the first receptacle and the second receptacle disposed substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal shaft;

a first handle coupled to the first receptacle; and

a second handle coupled to the second receptacle.

2. The universal fitness apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first receptacle is disposed substantially perpendicular to the second receptacle.

3. The universal fitness apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flange assembly is rotationally coupled to the longitudinal shaft.

4. The universal fitness apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flange assembly is configured to slide along the axis of the longitudinal shaft.

5. The universal fitness apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a collar coupled to the longitudinal shaft, the collar configured to hold the flange assembly in place at a particular position along the axis of the longitudinal shaft.

6. The universal fitness apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

one or more support configured for mounting the longitudinal shaft to a support surface.

7. The universal fitness apparatus of claim 6, wherein the support surface is a wall.

8. The universal fitness apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the first handle and the second handle comprises a tubular member.

9. The universal fitness apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the first receptacle and the second receptacle is pivotally movable relative to a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal shaft.

10. The universal fitness apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first handle is removably coupled to the first receptacle and the second handle is removably coupled to the second receptacle.

11. The universal fitness apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flange assembly is removably coupled to the longitudinal shaft.

12. A universal fitness apparatus comprising:

a longitudinal shaft; and

a flange assembly, rotationally coupled to the longitudinal shaft, comprising a first handle and a second handle, each of the first handle and the second handle disposed substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal shaft.

13. The universal fitness apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first handle is disposed substantially perpendicular to the second handle.

14. The universal fitness apparatus of claim 12, wherein the flange assembly is configured to slide along the axis of the longitudinal shaft.

15. The universal fitness apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a collar coupled to the longitudinal shaft, the collar configured to hold the flange assembly in place at a particular position along the axis of the longitudinal shaft.

16. The universal fitness apparatus of claim 12, further comprising:

one or more support configured for mounting the longitudinal shaft to a support surface.

17. The universal fitness apparatus of claim 16, wherein the support surface is a wall.

18. The universal fitness apparatus of claim 12, wherein each of the first handle and the second handle comprises a tubular member.

19. The universal fitness apparatus of claim 12, wherein each of the first handle and the second handle is pivotally movable relative to a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal shaft.

20. A universal fitness apparatus comprising:

a longitudinal track;

a runner coupled to the longitudinal track, configured to slide along the axis of the longitudinal track;

a flange assembly mounted to the runner, comprising a first receptacle and a second receptacle;

a first handle coupled to the first receptacle; and

a second handle coupled to the second receptacle.

21. The universal fitness apparatus of claim 21, wherein each of the runner and the longitudinal track comprises horizontally aligned holes configured to receive a connecting pin.

22. The universal fitness apparatus of claim 21, wherein the runner is configured to slide along the interior axis of the longitudinal track.

23. The universal fitness apparatus of claim 21, wherein the runner is configured to slide along the exterior axis of the longitudinal track.

24. The universal fitness apparatus of claim 21, wherein the flange assembly is removably mounted to the runner.

25. The universal fitness apparatus of claim 21, wherein the flange assembly is mounted to the runner by being disposed about a longitudinal shaft coupled to the runner.

26. The universal fitness apparatus of claim 25, wherein the longitudinal shaft is disposed substantially parallel to the runner.

27. The universal fitness apparatus of claim 25, wherein the flange assembly is rotationally coupled to the longitudinal shaft.

28. The universal fitness apparatus of claim 21, wherein the flange assembly is mounted to the runner by a support coupled to the runner.

29. The universal fitness apparatus of claim 21, wherein the first receptacle is disposed substantially perpendicular to the second receptacle.

30. The universal fitness apparatus of claim 21, further comprising:

one or more support configured for mounting the longitudinal shaft to a support surface.

31. The universal fitness apparatus of claim 29, wherein the support surface is a wall.

32. The universal fitness apparatus of claim 21, wherein each of the first handle and the second handle comprises a tubular member.

33. A universal fitness apparatus comprising:

a longitudinal shaft;

a flange assembly, rotationally coupled to the longitudinal shaft, comprising a first receptacle and a second receptacle, each of the first receptacle and the second receptacle disposed substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal shaft;

a first handle coupled to the first receptacle;

a second handle coupled to the second receptacle; and

wherein the first handle and the second handle are configured to enable a user to apply personal counterforce resistance.