Exercise bench methods and apparatus

• US 7,361,123 B1
• Filed: 03/05/2004
• Issued: 04/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mark Krull
• Original Assignee: Mark Krull
• Inventors: Krull, Mark A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Donnelly; Jerome
• Assistant Examiner(s): HWANG, VICTOR KENNY
• Application Number:
  US10/794,502
• Time in Patent Office: 1,509 Days
• Field of Search: 482/23, 482/25, 482/26, 482/51, 482/52, 482/74, 482/79, 482/92, 482/93, 482/140, 482/142, 482/148, 482/907, 482/908, 482/104, 482/145, 482/910, 108/116, 108/125, 108128-132, 108/147.22, 297/423.41, 297/461, D21/671, D21/690, 5 1/1, 562/6, 562/7
• US Class Current: 482/52
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0063 Shock absorbers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4029 Benches specifically adapted for exercising for bench press exercises A63B21/078

Abstract

An exercise bench includes a back support and first and second legs pivotally connected to respective ends of the back support. The legs are pivotal between positions extending generally perpendicular to the back support, and positions extending generally parallel to the back support. In addition to facilitating typical bench-related exercises, the bench is available for use as an aerobic step when the legs extend generally parallel to the back support, and as a high-level step when the legs extend generally perpendicular to the back support. Different latching mechanisms may be used to lock the legs in place, and/or the bench may be arranged in an inclined orientation by moving the legs to different positions. Handles and/or foot supports may be provided at one or more ends of the bench, as well.

Claims

1. An exercise bench, comprising:

a back support having a first end and a second end;

a first leg configured to engage a floor surface, and pivotally connected to the first end of the back support;

a second leg configured to engage a floor surface, and pivotally connected to the second end of the back support, wherein the second leg is pivotal between a first position extending generally perpendicular to the back support in a manner that supports the second end of the back support at a first elevation relative to the floor surface, a second position extending generally parallel to the back support and toward the first end of the back support in a manner that supports the second end of the back support in a lower, second elevation relative to the floor surface, and a third position extending generally parallel to the back support and away from the first end of the back support in a manner that allows the second end of the back support to occupy a still lower, third elevation relative the floor surface.

2. The exercise bench of claim 1, wherein the first leg is pivotal between a respective said first position extending generally perpendicular to the back support, and a respective said second position extending generally parallel to the back support and toward the second end of the back support.

3. The exercise bench of claim 2, wherein at least one bumper is mounted on the back support and arranged to be sandwiched between the back support and at least one said leg when each said leg occupies a respective said second position.

4. The exercise bench of claim 3, wherein the second leg includes a floor engaging member that extends transversely relative to the back support, and the at least one bumper includes first and second bumpers that are arranged to engage opposite ends of the floor engaging member.

5. The exercise bench of claim 3, wherein each said leg includes a transversely extending base portion, and the at least one bumper includes bumpers configured and arranged to engage each said base portion.

6. The exercise bench of claim 3, wherein a distance between six inches and eight inches is defined between an upper surface of the back support and an underlying floor surface when each said leg occupies a respective said second position.

7. The exercise bench of claim 6, wherein a distance between fourteen and sixteen inches is defined between the upper surface and the floor surface when each said leg occupies a respective said first position.

8. The exercise bench of claim 2, wherein the back support includes a frame portion, and an end of the frame portion proximate the second end of the back support is configured to engage an underlying floor surface when the first leg occupies its respective said first position and when the second leg occupies its respective said third position.

9. The exercise bench of claim 8, wherein at least one floor engaging plug is inserted into the end of the frame portion, and a bolt extends transversely through the plug, the end of the frame portion, and the second leg.

10. The exercise bench of claim 1, wherein the second leg includes a floor engaging member that extends transversely relative to the back support, and the transversely extending member has opposite ends that are configured and arranged to support the feet of a person lying supine on the back support when the second leg occupies the third position.

11. An exercise bench, comprising:

a back support having a first end and a second end, and including a frame portion, wherein at least one floor engaging plug is inserted into an end of the frame portion proximate the second end of the back support;

a first leg configured to engage a floor surface, and pivotally connected to the first end of the back support;

a second leg configured to engage a floor surface, wherein a bolt extends transversely through the second leg, the plug, the end of the frame portion, and wherein each said leg is pivotal between a respective first position extending generally perpendicular to the back support, and a respective second position extending generally parallel to the back support, and the plug engages an underlying floor when the second leg occupies its second position and the first leg occupies its first position; and

at least one rubber bumper is mounted on at least one of the back support and one said leg and arranged to be compressed between the back support and at least one said leg when each said leg occupies a respective said second position.

12. The exercise bench of claim 11, wherein at least one said leg includes a floor engaging member that extends transversely relative to the back support, and the at least one bumper includes first and second rubber bumpers that are arranged to engage opposite ends of each said floor engaging member.

13. The exercise bench of claim 11, wherein each said leg includes a transversely extending base portion, and the at least one bumper includes respective rubber bumpers configured and arranged to engage each said base portion.

14. The exercise bench of claim 11, wherein a distance between six inches and eight inches is defined between an upper surface of the back support and an underlying floor surface when each said leg occupies a respective said second position.

15. The exercise bench of claim 14, wherein a distance between fourteen and sixteen inches is defined between the upper surface and the floor surface when each said leg occupies a respective said first position.

16. The exercise bench of claim 11, wherein the second leg includes a floor engaging member that extends transversely relative to the back support, and the transversely extending member has opposite ends that are configured and arranged to support the feet of a person lying supine on the back support when the second leg extends generally parallel to the back support and away from the first end.

17. An exercise bench, comprising:

a frame having a first end and a second end;

a back support mounted on the frame;

a first leg configured to engage a floor surface, and connected to the first end of the frame;

a second leg configured to engage a floor surface;

a bolt that extends through the second leg and the second end of the frame to pivotally connect the second leg to the frame, wherein the second leg is pivotal between a first position extending generally perpendicular to the back support, and a second position extending generally parallel to the back support; and

a plug configured to engage a floor surface, and inserted into the second end of the frame, wherein the bolt extends through the plug to retain the plug inside the second end of the frame.

18. An exercise bench, comprising:

a generally U-shaped bar having first and second distal end portions at one end, transverse portion at an opposite end, and parallel first and second intermediate segments extending therebetween wherein the transverse portion is sized and configured for grasping, and the distal end portions are sized and configured to engage a floor surface;

a back support mounted on top of the first and second intermediate segments of the bar;

a first leg configured to engage a floor surface, and connected to the bar proximate the opposite end; and

a second leg configured to engage a floor surface, and connected to the bar proximate the one end, wherein at least the second leg is pivotal between a first position extending generally perpendicular to the back support, and a second position extending generally parallel to the back support.

19. The exercise bench of claim 18, further comprising at least one strap secured about the transverse portion.

20. The exercise bench of claim 18, further comprising a strap having opposite ends secured to the transverse portion.

21. An exercise bench, comprising:

a back support having a first end and a second end;

a first leg configured to engage a floor surface, and having an intermediate portion pivotally connected to the first end of the back support; and

a second leg configured to engage a floor surface, and having an intermediate portion pivotally connected to the second end of the back support, wherein each said leg is selectively pivotal between a respective first position, supporting the back support at a first elevation above the floor surface to define an aerobic step, and a respective second position, supporting the back support at a relatively higher, second elevation above the floor surface to define a weight lifting bench, wherein each said leg has a first end that engages the floor surface in each said position, and an opposite, second end that is releasably secured to a respective said end of the bench in the second position.

22. The exercise bench of claim 21, wherein respective bumpers on the back support are sandwiched between the back support and each said leg when each said leg occupies its first position.

23. The exercise bench of claim 21, wherein frame members on the back support engage the floor surface when at least one said leg occupies a discrete, third position.