Exercise Apparatus with Hooks for Attaching Resistance Bands
This disclosure relates to an exercise apparatus with a plurality of hooks for attaching resistance bands and a method for manufacturing the exercise apparatus.
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to Provisional U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/324,577 filed on Apr. 15, 2010, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELDThis disclosure relates to exercise apparatuses and methods for manufacturing exercise apparatuses for use with resistance bands.
BACKGROUNDExercise machines can be used to maintain personal fitness, build strength, and rehabilitate injuries. Exercise machines have gained popularity over free weights due to improved ease of use. Unfortunately, many exercise machines are large, expensive, and dedicated to a single body movement. Also, they often require routine maintenance and servicing. For instance, many exercise machines contain moving parts such as slides, pulleys, cables, and bearings which may require lubrication and eventual replacement.
SUMMARYStrength training uses resistance methods like weight machines, free weights, resistance bands, or a person's own weight to develop muscles and strength. Free weights, including dumbbells and barbells, are prevalent in gyms around the world. However, many individuals prefer the simplicity of exercise machines. Since their introduction, exercise machines have gained popularity as an alternative to barbells and dumbbells. Many individuals find them more user-friendly and safer to use than free weights.
Exercise machines commonly have stacks of incremented weight plates. The individual can adjust the exercise machine to a desired resistant by repositioning a key within the weight stack. As a result, adjusting the level of resistance may be quite easy. This technology came as a welcomed alternative to manually loading heavy barbells from a weight rack onto a bar. With the advent of exercise machines, the appeal of strength training broadened as more individuals felt an increased comfort level with exercise equipment.
Unfortunately, exercise machines are often large, heavy, and expensive. In addition, exercise machines are often designed to perform only a single movement targeting a specific muscle or muscle group. Consequently, a large variety of exercise machines must be purchased to target all muscles and muscle groups. Since each machine occupies significant floor space, a gymnasium must contain considerable square footage to accommodate all necessary exercise machines. As a result, a gym owner must rent or purchase a large facility which results in high operating expenses. In turn, the gym owner must maintain a large number of members to produce enough revenue to cover operating expenses. But securing a large facility and maintaining a large membership population may not be feasible in all areas. For instance, in many urban areas, large facilities may be unavailable or prohibitively priced.
Another downside of exercise machines is that many require routine maintenance and servicing. For instance, many exercise machines include moving parts such as slides, pulleys, cables and bearings which require lubrication and eventual replacement. Servicing and replacing worn parts results in additional operating expenses. Clearly, exercise machines have many disadvantages that restrict a gym's profitability. To overcome the disadvantages of prior exercise machines, a new, versatile, low-maintenance, compact and affordable exercise apparatus has been designed and is set forth herein.
An exercise apparatus may include a first upright member, a second upright member, a first cross member connecting the first upright member to the second upright member, a first plurality of hooks attached to the first upright member, and a second plurality of hooks attached to the second upright member. The first plurality of hooks may be configured to receive a resistance band, and the second plurality of hooks may be configured to receive a resistance band. Also, the first cross member may include a third plurality of hooks that may be configured to receive a resistance band, and the first cross member may be, or include, a pull-up bar. In addition, a second cross member may connect the first upright member to the second upright member, and the second cross member may include a fourth plurality of hooks configured to store a resistance band. A step member may connect the first upright member to the second upright member, and the step member may be rotatably connected to the first and second upright members. The step member may include a non-slip surface. Finally, the apparatus may include a first handle attached to the first upright member and a second handle attached to the second upright member. The first and second handles may be treated with an anti-bacterial chemical compound. Similarly, other surfaces of the exercise apparatus may be treated with an anti-bacterial chemical compound.
A method of assembling an exercise apparatus may include providing a first upright member, providing a second upright member, providing a first cross member including a first end and a second end, connecting the first end of the first cross member to the first upright member, connecting the second end of the first cross member to the second upright member, attaching a first plurality of hooks to the first upright member, and attaching a second plurality of hooks to the second upright member. The first plurality of hooks may be configured to receive a resistance band, and the second plurality of hooks may be configured to receive a resistance band. The method may also include attaching the first upright member to a wall and attaching the second upright member to the wall. In addition, the method may include attaching a third plurality of hooks to the first cross member where the first cross member may be, or include, a pull-up bar. Similar to the first and second plurality of hooks, the third plurality of hooks may be configured to receive a resistance band. The method may also include providing a second cross member having a first end and a second end, connecting the first end of the second cross member to the first upright member, and connecting the second end of the second cross member to the second upright member. In addition, the method may include attaching a fourth plurality of hooks to the second cross member where the fourth plurality of hooks may be configured to store a resistance band. The method may also include providing a step member having a first end and a second end, rotatably connecting the first end of the step member to the first upright member, and rotatably connecting the second end of the step member to the second upright member. In addition, the method may include attaching a non-slip surface to the step member. Finally, the method may include attaching a first handle to the first upright member and attaching a second handle to the second upright member. The handles may be treated with an anti-bacterial chemical compound.
As shown in
The first upright member 105 may have a top end 710 and a bottom end 715 and may be constructed from steel channel or box tubing as shown in
The second upright member 110 be substantially parallel to the first upright member 105 and may also have a top end and a bottom end. The second upright member 110 may be constructed from steel channel or box tubing. Alternately, the second upright member 110 may be constructed from aluminum, wood, carbon fiber, or any other suitable material having any suitable configuration (e.g. channel, round tubing, box tubing, rod, etc.). Similarly, an outer surface of the first upright member 105 may be treated to improve appearance and durability. For instance, the outer surface may be painted, anodized, polished, plated, or have any other suitable surface treatment applied. To secure the exercise apparatus 100, the second upright member 105 may include a second mounting bracket (not shown) to facilitate attachment to the wall surface. Alternately, any suitable means of attaching the second upright member 110 to the wall surface may be used, including bolts, screws, clamps, cables, etc.
The first cross member 115 may connect the first upright member 105 to the second upright member 110. The first cross member 115 may have a first end and a second end. The first end may connect at or near the top end of the first upright member 105 and the second end may connect at or near the top end of the second upright member 110. In addition, the first cross member 115 may extend beyond a plane that includes the first and second upright members. For instance, the first cross member may be U-shaped as shown in
The first cross member 115 may be, or include, a pull-up bar. For instance, the first cross member 115 may be a pull-up bar joining the first upright member 105 to the second upright member 110. Alternately, the first cross member may include a separate pull-up bar 305 as shown in
As shown in
A first plurality of hooks 120 may be attached to the first upright member 105. The first plurality of hooks may include two or more hooks configured to receive one or more resistance bands (e.g. 800, 900). The first plurality of hooks 120 may be attached to the first upright member 105 by any suitable means. For example, the first plurality of hooks 120 may be welded or threaded into the first upright member 105. Alternately, a hook 605 may be joined to an intermediary to facilitate a connection to the first upright member 105. For instance, as shown in
The first plurality of hooks 120 may be configured to receive one or more resistance bands as shown in
A second plurality of hooks 125 may be attached to the second upright member 110. The second plurality of hooks may include two or more hooks configured to receive one or more resistance bands (e.g. 800, 900). The second plurality of hooks 125 may be attached to the second upright member 110 by any suitable means. For example, the second plurality of hooks 125 may be welded or threaded into the second upright member 110. Alternately, a hook 605 may be joined to an intermediary to facilitate a connection to the second upright member 110. For instance, as shown in
A third plurality of hooks 320 may be attached to the first cross member 115. The third plurality of hooks 320 may include two or more hooks configured to receive one or more resistance bands (e.g. 800, 900). The third plurality of hooks 320 may be attached to the first cross member 115 by any suitable means. For example, the third plurality of hooks 320 may be welded or threaded into the first cross member 115. Accordingly, the third plurality of hooks 320 may be attached directly to the first cross member 115 or to one of its components. For instance, the third plurality of hooks 320 may be attached to the support bar 425, pull-up bar 305, or the bracket system. For example, as shown in
As shown in
A fourth plurality of hooks 1010 may be attached to the second cross member 140. The fourth plurality of hooks 1010 may include two or more hooks configured to receive one or more resistance bands (e.g. 800, 900). In particular, the fourth plurality of hooks 1010 may be configured to store one or more resistance bands. To facilitate storage of one or more resistance bands, a hook 605 may include an elongated first portion 615. During storage, a resistance band may be hung on the hook 605 or wound around multiple hooks. The fourth plurality of hooks 1010 may be attached to the second cross member 140 by any suitable means. For example, the fourth plurality of hooks 1010 may be welded or threaded into the second cross member 140. Alternately, a hook 1105 may be joined to an intermediary to facilitate a connection to the second cross member 140. For instance, as shown in
As shown in
As shown in
To increase safety during use, the step member 135 may include a non-slip surface attached to an upwardly exposed surface of the step member. The non-slip surface may be any suitable high-friction coating such as rubber, sand, or a combination thereof. Alternately, the non-slip surface may be machined directly into the surface of the step member 135. The non-slip surface may comprise an additional component attached to the step member 135. For example, the non-slip surface may include a cover 1505, as shown in
As shown in
The exercise apparatus 100 may be sold as a kit for assembly. For instance, the exercise apparatus 100 may be delivered in one or more boxes to the consumer. The consumer may then assemble the various pieces to create the exercise apparatus 100 as shown and described herein.
Details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and description. Other features, objects, and advantages will be apparent from the description, drawings, and claims. Although a number of embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It should also be understood that the appended drawings are not necessarily to scale, presenting a somewhat simplified representation of various features illustrative of the basic principles of the invention.
Claims
1. An exercise apparatus comprising:
- a first upright member comprising a top end opposite a bottom end;
- a second upright member comprising a top end opposite a bottom end, wherein the second upright member is substantially parallel to the first upright member;
- a first cross member connecting the top end of the first upright member to the top end of the second upright member, wherein the first cross member extends beyond a plane including the first and second upright members;
- a step member connecting the first upright member to the second upright member;
- a first plurality of hooks attached to the first upright member; and
- a second plurality of hooks attached to the second upright member.
2. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the step member is rotatably connected to the first and second upright members.
3. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the step member is extendably connected to the first and second upright members.
4. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
- an upwardly exposed surface on the step member; and
- a non-slip surface affixed to the upwardly exposed surface.
5. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first cross member further comprises a pull-up bar.
6. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a third plurality of hooks attached to the first cross member.
7. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second cross member connecting the first upright member to the second upright member, wherein the second cross member is located in the plane including the first and second upright members.
8. The exercise apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a fourth plurality of hooks attached to the second cross member.
9. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
- a first mounting bracket attached to the first upright member; and
- a second mounting bracket attached to the second upright member.
10. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
- a first handle attached to the first upright member; and
- a second handle attached to the second upright member.
11. The exercise apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first and second handles are treated with an anti-bacterial chemical compound.
12. A method of manufacturing an exercise apparatus, the method comprising:
- providing a first upright member comprising a top end opposite a bottom end;
- providing a second upright member comprising a top end opposite a bottom end, wherein the second upright member is substantially parallel to the first upright member;
- providing a first cross member comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first cross member extends beyond a plane including the first and second upright members;
- connecting the first end of the first cross member to the top end of the first upright member;
- connecting the second end of the first cross member to the top end of second upright member;
- providing a step member comprising a first end and a second end;
- connecting the first end of the step member to the first upright member;
- connecting the second end of the step member to the second upright member;
- attaching a first plurality of hooks to the first upright member; and
- attaching a second plurality of hooks to the second upright member.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising affixing a non-slip surface to an upwardly exposed surface on the step member.
14. The method of claim 12, further comprising attaching a third plurality of hooks to the first cross member.
15. The method of claim 12, further comprising:
- providing a second cross member comprising a first end opposite a second end, wherein the second cross member is located in the plane including the first and second upright members;
- connecting the first end of the second cross member to the first upright member; and
- connecting the second end of the second cross member to the second upright member.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising attaching a fourth plurality of hooks to the second cross member.
17. The method of claim 13, further comprising:
- attaching a first mounting bracket to the first upright member, wherein the first mounting bracket facilitates attachment to a wall surface; and
- attaching a second mounting bracket to the second upright member, wherein the second mounting bracket facilitates attachment to a wall surface
18. The method of claim 13, further comprising:
- attaching a first handle to the first upright member; and
- attaching a second handle to the second upright member.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 15, 2011
Publication Date: Apr 19, 2012
Inventors: David J. Trettin (Chamblee, GA), Corey Ritter (Marietta, GA)
Application Number: 13/087,881
International Classification: A63B 23/12 (20060101);