Compact weightlifting system with safety cage

• US 6,685,601 B1
• Filed: 11/17/2000
• Issued: 02/03/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jeffrey M. Knapp
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey M. Knapp
• Inventors: Knapp, Jeffrey M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Donnelly, Jerome W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HWANG, VICTOR KENNY
• Application Number:
  US09/715,242
• Time in Patent Office: 1,173 Days
• Field of Search: 482/93, 482/94, 482/98-104, 482/106, 482/108, 482/107, 482/142, 482/38, 482/41, 482/42, 482/92, 482/138
• US Class Current: 482/104
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0626 with substantially vertical guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/078 Devices for bench press exercises , e.g. supports, guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0783 Safety features for bar-bells, e.g. drop limiting means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/908 Adjustable

Abstract

A weightlifting system with a safety cage includes a rear frame member and a pair of opposed side frame members that are movably coupled to opposite ends of the rear frame member. The side frame members are movable relative to each other and the rear frame member between at least a first position in which the side frame members are adjacent each other and adjacent the rear frame member and a second position in which the side frame members are spaced from each other and from the rear frame member to define an exercise space therein capable of accommodating an exerciser.

Claims

1. A weight lifting system having a safety cage, comprising:

a rear frame member; and

a pair of opposed side frame members movably coupled to opposite ends of the rear frame member by respective pivot assemblies, each side frame member configured to support an exercise bar,

wherein the side frame members are movable relative to each other and the rear frame member between at least a first position in which the side frame members are adjacent each other in a generally parallel, overlapping configuration and adjacent the rear frame member in a generally parallel configuration, and a second position in which the side frame members are spaced from each other and from the rear frame member to define an exercise space therein capable of accommodating an exerciser, and

wherein each of the pivot assemblies has a pivot pin defining a pivot axis at an intersection between the respective side frame member and the rear frame member, a locking tin spaced from the pivot pin along the side frame member and a pivot plate attached to the rear frame member and extending at least between the pivot axis and the locking pin, the locking pin and the pivot plate being engageable with each other to lock the side frame member in at least the second position.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the side frame members comprises two spaced upright members and at least one lateral member adjustably coupleable to each of the upright members, and wherein the lateral member can be coupled to each of the upright members to provide a support against a downwardly acting force.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the lateral member is pivotably connected to at least one of the upright members.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the lateral member is pivotably connected to one of the upright members to pivot in an upright plane approximately parallel to one of the upright members, the lateral member being pivotable from an operating position spaced from the upright member and a storage position wherein the lateral member is adjacent the upright member.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the pivot plate defines at least two positions in which the side member can be locked in place.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein at least one side frame member is positionable in at least one outstretched position defined in the pivot plate in which an included angle between the rear frame member and the side frame member is greater than about 90 degrees.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein a first side frame member is pivotably attached to the rear frame member at a first said pivot axis adjacent a first end of the rear frame member, and a second side frame member is pivotably attached to the rear frame member at a second said pivot axis adjacent a second end of the rear frame member, the first and second ends of the rear frame member defining a rear frame member axis passing therethrough, and wherein one of the first and second pivot axes is spaced closer to the rear frame member axis than the other, thereby allowing, in the first position, the first frame member to be pivoted approximately parallel to the rear frame member and the second member to be pivoted approximately parallel to the first frame member.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the first and second side frame members are each coupled to the rear frame member by respective upper and lower pivots, at least one of the upper and lower pivots including the pivot assemblies.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a weight lifting bench coupled to the rear frame member, the bench being positionable to extend outward from the rear frame member and between the side frame members.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the bench is pivotably connected to the rear frame member, the bench being pivotable toward the rear frame member.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the bench is collapsible for storage.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the bench comprises a main frame member, and a seat portion, a back portion and a support member positioned above the main frame member, wherein the seat portion is slidably translatable relative to the main frame member, the back portion has a lower end pivotably attached to the seat portion and an upper area spaced from the lower end pivotably attached to a first end of the support member, and the support member has a second, opposite end pivotably attached to the main frame member, and wherein sliding the seat portion relative to the main frame member changes an inclination of the back portion relative to the seat portion.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the seat portion of the bench has cut-outs shaped to receive the exerciser'"'"'s legs.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the seat portion is pivotable relative to the main frame member.

15. The system of claim 14, further comprising a second support member having a first end pivotably attached to the seat portion and a second end with spaced engagement features for connection to the main frame member.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein the bench has a free end with a pivotably attached foot for positioning the bench in an approximately horizontal position.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the rear frame member comprises first and second tubular uprights, further comprising a cable and pulley arrangement having at least a portion of the cable extending through a portion of one of the uprights.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one side frame member is positionable in at least one outstretched position defined in the pivot plate in which an included angle between the rear frame member and the side frame member is greater than about 90 degrees.

19. The system of claim 1, further comprising a foot restraint attached to one of the rear and side frame members.

20. The system of claim 1, further comprising a chin-up bar, the chin-up bar having opposite ends that are each coupleable with the respective first and second side frame members.

21. The system of claim 1, wherein the pivot plate includes at least one aperture sized to receive the locking pin.

22. The system of claim 1, wherein the pivot plate includes multiple engagement features corresponding to different positions of the side frame member, at least one of the multiple positions corresponding to the second position, each engagement feature being shaped to receive the locking pin.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein at least one of the multiple positions corresponds to a position of the side frame member that forms an angle of greater than 90 degrees with respect to the rear frame member.

24. The system of claim 1, wherein the pivot plate is attached to an upper surface of the rear frame member and extends substantially parallel to and below the overlying side frame member.

25. The system of claim 1, wherein the side frame members include at least one aperture for receiving the locking pin.

26. The system of claim 1, wherein the side frame members have respective first ends pivotally connected to the rear frame member and opposing second ends, the second ends configured to support the exercise bar.

27. The system of claim 1, wherein the exercise bar comprises a barbell.

28. A weight lifting system having a safety cage, comprising:

a rear frame member; and

a pair of opposed side frame members movably coupled to opposite ends of the rear frame member,

wherein the side frame members are movable relative to each other and the rear frame member between at least a first position in which the side frame members are adjacent each other and adjacent the rear frame member, and a second position in which the side frame members are spaced from each other and from the rear frame member to define an exercise space therein capable of accommodating an exerciser, and

wherein each of the side frame members comprises two spaced upright members and at least one lateral member adjustably coupleable to each of the upright members, the lateral member being pivotably connected to one of the upright members to pivot in an upright plane approximately parallel to one of the upright members between an operating position spaced from the upright member and a storage position adjacent the upright member.