Adjustable bodyweight exercise apparatus

• US 7,125,371 B2
• Filed: 06/24/2004
• Issued: 10/24/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alasdair David Henderson
• Original Assignee: Alasdair David Henderson
• Inventors: Henderson, Alasdair David
• Primary Examiner(s): BAKER, LORI LYNN
• Application Number:
  US10/876,317
• Publication Number:
  US 20050003938A1
• Time in Patent Office: 852 Days
• Field of Search: 482141-144, 482 23- 38, 482/62, 482/69, D21/665, D21/671, D21/686
• US Class Current: 482/142
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 1/00 Horizontal bars
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/068 using user's body weight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/16 Supports for anchoring force-resisters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4034 for operation by feet
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4035 for operation by hand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/12 specially adapted for children
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/30 Maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03575 Apparatus used for exercising upper and lower limbs simultaneously
• 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 23/1218 Chinning, pull-up, i.e. concentric movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1227 Dips, i.e. push-ups in a vertical position, i.e. eccentric movement, e.g. between parallel bars
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1236 Push-ups in horizontal position, i.e. eccentric movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 7/02 Swinging rings; Trapezes

Abstract

An adjustable apparatus for performing bodyweight exercises comprises a pair of side frames. At least one pair of handles projects in forwards directions from the side frames. Handles in positions on the side frames allow different bodyweight exercises to be performed. A pendulous member for supporting the lower part of the body of a user in some exercises is suspended in the opening between the side frames. This may be raised and lowered between and secured at different height positions. Some embodiments may further comprise cushioned members at the base for the user'"'"'s comfort. Additional detachable cross bars and a body support strap may be attached to the handles or structure of some embodiments to allow further variation in exercises. Further embodiments may allow folding or collapsing for storage.

Claims

1. An adjustable exercise apparatus comprising when set up for use;

a. a pair of side frames each comprising at least one fixed inclined elongate member forwardly positioned on the side frame and inclined towards a rearward portion of the apparatus, and

b. at least one cross member located at a base portion of the apparatus whereby said side frames are maintained in a secure opposed arrangement and whereby permitting a user to move through the opening between the side frames

c. at least one pair of handles comprising rigid elongate portions projecting in substantially forward directions from first ends adjacent to said inclined elongate members to second free ends whereby a user is able to hold and use said rigid elongate portions from above without interference by the apparatus

d. a plurality of mountings to fix said handles at a plurality of height positions on said side frames whereby said rigid elongate portions project as claimed

e. a pendulous member suspended via at least one slender elongate flexible structure whereby said pendulous member is located in the opening between said side frames, and

f. said pendulous member located in a posterior portion of the apparatus relative to a plurality of positions for said handles, and

g. said pendulous member movable between and securable at various height positions via said at least one slender elongate flexible structure, and

h. at least one height position for said pendulous member being higher than at least one height position for said handles

and whereby a user may perform at least the following bodyweight exercises on the apparatus;

push ups, assisted push ups, decline push ups, incline push ups, dips, assisted dips, bodyweight rows, decline bodyweight rows, assisted chin ups, abdominal curls, hip raises, one legged squats, lunges.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein;

a) at least one fixed inclined elongate member forwardly positioned on the side frame and inclined towards a rearward portion of the apparatus is inclined between 55 and 80 degrees from the horizontal, and

b) the overall measurement along said at least one fixed inclined elongate member from the base of said side frame at a forward portion of the apparatus to the top of said side frame at a rearward portion of the apparatus is between 1.8 and 2.8 meters when the apparatus is set up for use.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 further including at least one elongate member located at upper portions of said fixed inclined elongate members whereby chin ups exercises are performed by a user unimpeded by the apparatus.

4. The side frames of claim 1 further including upwardly and downwardly adjustable extensions whereby the heights of said side frames are raised and lowered allowing said apparatus to be configured for use and storage.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein

a) said rigid elongate portions of at least one pair of said handles project between 20 and 60 centimeters substantially forward of said inclined elongate members, and

b) at least part of said rigid elongate portions of said handles converge whereby providing a user with a choice of distance between his or her hands when exercising.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least three height positions are provided for said at least one pair of handles with;

a) at least one position whereby said rigid elongate portions of said handles are less than 55 centimeters above the level of any exercising surface

b) at least one position whereby said rigid elongate portions of said handles are between 20 and 90 centimeters above the level of any exercising surface

c) at least one position whereby said rigid elongate portions of said handles are more than 90 centimeters above the level of any exercising surface.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the horizontal distance along a central axis of the apparatus from a point substantially level with and between the bases of said inclined elongate members to a point substantially under said pendulous member is between 50 and 110 centimeters.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 further including at least one of the following;

a) a demountable elongate member spanning between at least one pair of said handles whereby allowing variation in exercise

b) a demountable flexible support securable across the opening between said side frames whereby permitting a user to perform back extension exercises

c) a demountable elongate member with at least one cushioning element and securable on the apparatus whereby permitting a user to perform sit up and crunch exercises.

9. An adjustable exercise apparatus comprising when set up for use;

a) a pair of inclined elongate members spaced apart in a secure opposed relationship whereby a user can exercise in the opening between said inclined members, and

b) said pair of inclined elongate members extending upwards and rearwards from a forward portion of the apparatus

c) at least one cross member whereby said inclined elongate members are maintained in said secure opposed relationship

d) at least one pair of handles comprising rigid elongate portions that project in substantially forward directions relative to said inclined elongate members, and

e) said rigid elongate portions being sufficiently levelly disposed whereby a user is able to hold and use said rigid elongate portions from above, and

f) said handles extending from first ends adjacent to said inclined elongate members to second ends, and

g) said handles securable at a plurality of height positions via a plurality of mountings whereby said rigid elongate portions project as claimed

h) a pendulous member suspended via at least one slender elongate flexible structure, and

i) said pendulous member located rearwards on the apparatus relative to a plurality of said mountings for said handles, and

j) said pendulous member movable between and securable at a plurality of positions at various heights via said at least one slender elongate flexible structure, and

k) at least one height position for said handles being lower than at least one position for said pendulous member

and whereby a user may perform at least the following bodyweight exercises;

push ups, assisted push ups, decline push ups, incline push ups, dips, assisted dips, bodyweight rows, decline bodyweight rows, assisted chin ups, abdominal curls, hip raises, one legged squats, lunges.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the acute angles between said pair of inclined elongate members and the horizontal are between 55 and 80 degrees.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the overall measurement along the length of each of said inclined elongate members including any extensions is between 1.8 and 2.8 meters when the apparatus is set up for use.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 further including at least one elongate member at upper portions of said pair of inclined elongate members whereby chin ups exercises are performed by a user unimpeded by the apparatus.

13. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the opening between said pair of inclined elongate members is between 50 and 100 centimeters wide.

14. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said inclined elongate members are each supported by at least one further member inclined upwards and forwards from a rearward portion of the apparatus whereby a secure configuration is achieved.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said inclined elongate members are connected via at least one pivotable connection to their respective supporting members whereby a user can fold the apparatus for storage.

16. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein;

a) at least part of said rigid elongate portions of at least one pair of said handles converge whereby providing a user with a choice of distance between his or her hands when exercising, and

b) wherein said handles project between 20 and 60 centimeters substantially forwards of said inclined elongate members.

17. The apparatus of claim 9 further including;

a) at least one position for said handles whereby said rigid elongate portions are less than 55 centimeters above the level of any exercising surface

b) at least one position for said handles whereby said rigid elongate portions are between 20 and 90 centimeters above the level of any exercising surface

c) at least one position for said handles whereby said rigid elongate portions are between 55 and 125 centimeters above the level of any exercising surface

d) at least one position for said handles whereby said rigid elongate portions are more than 90 centimeters above the level of any exercising surface.

18. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the horizontal distance along a central axis of the apparatus from a point substantially level with and between the bases of said inclined elongate members to a point substantially under said pendulous member is between 50 and 110 centimeters.

19. The apparatus of claim 9 further including at least one of the following;

a) a demountable elongate member spanning between said pair of handles whereby allowing variation in exercise

b) a demountable flexible support securable on the apparatus whereby permitting a user to perform back extension exercises.

c) a demountable elongate member with at least one cushioning element and securable on the apparatus whereby permitting a user to perform sit up and crunch exercises.

20. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising an inclinable cushioned exercising surface located at a base portion of said apparatus whereby a user can increase the difficulty of sit up exercises.