Exercise apparatus
A portable exercise apparatus having at least one removable, horizontal user gripping bar for supporting at least portion of the force generated by a user during exercise; a vertical frame capable of supporting at least portion of the force generated by a user during exercise that includes a free-standing vertical rear support frame and at least one pair of vertical side support frames pivotally attached to the rear support frame; and at least one user support base having opposing sides and opposing ends and capable of supporting at least portion of the force generated by a user during exercise. Each user gripping bar is removably attached to each of the pairs of vertical side support frames; and the opposing sides of the user base being removably attached to each of the pairs of vertical side support frames. One end of each user base abuts the vertical rear support frame.
Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to exercise apparatus, and particularly to portable exercise apparatus.
Heretofore, ballet bars have been used in performing exercises. However, such ballet bars are usually wall-mounted so that they are not portable. Nor are they adjustable for the height of the user or the needs of a particular exercise.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe portable exercise apparatus of the present invention comprises:
-
- a. at least one removable, horizontal user gripping bar for supporting at least portion of the force generated by a user during exercise;
- b. a vertical frame capable of supporting at least portion of the force generated by a user during exercise comprising
- i. a free-standing vertical rear support frame and
- ii. at least one pair of vertical side support frames pivotally attached to said rear support frame; and
- c. at least one user support base having opposing sides and opposing ends and capable of supporting at least a portion of the force generated by a user during exercise,
- each user gripping bar being removably attached to each of said pairs vertical side support frames; and
said opposing sides of said user base being removably attached to each of said pairs of vertical side support frames and one end of each user base abutting said vertical rear support frame.
Generally, and as shown in
-
- a. at least one removable, horizontal user gripping bar 2 for supporting at least portion of the force generated by a user during exercise;
- b. a vertical frame 4 capable of supporting at least portion of the force generated by a user during exercise comprising
- i. a free-standing vertical rear support frame 10 and
- ii. at least one pair of vertical side support frames (30 and 32 or 34 and 36) pivotally attached to said rear support frame 10; and
- c. at least one user support base 6 having opposing sides and opposing ends and capable of supporting at least a portion of the force generated by a user during exercise,
- each user gripping bar 2 being removably attached to each of said pairs of vertical side support frames; and
said opposing sides of said user base 6 being removably attached to each of said pairs of vertical side support frames and one end of each user base 6 abutting said vertical rear support frame 10.
The apparatus 1 may further comprise the user gripping bar 2 being vertically adjustable at a plurality of discrete vertical positions. Preferably, the apparatus 1 is freestanding and stowable. Optionally, the apparatus 1 may be provided with one or more pairs of stabilizing legs 8. This invention also contemplates an apparatus 1 in which a second pair of vertical support frames 34 and 36 is mounted on the rear of the free-standing vertical rear support frame 10 and a second support base 7 is provided for attachment to that second pair of vertical support frames 34 and 36 as will be described later.
The horizontal gripping bar 2 acts as a horizontally oriented support against the application of force by the user. That force may be applied to the bar 2 by the user's actions along force vectors normal to the longitudinal central axis of the bar and toward or away from the bar, including, for example, force applied vertically upward normal to the longitudinal central axis of the bar, vertically downward normal to the longitudinal central axis of the bar, laterally forward normal to the longitudinal central axis of the bar, and laterally backward normal to the longitudinal central axis of the bar. Also, the force can be applied at an angle other than a normal. The bar 2 comprises a cylinder with a diameter smaller than the apertures 38, 40, and 42 in the side support frames 30 and 32 and a length longer than the maximum transverse distance between the side support frames 30 and 32 so that the height of the bar 2 from the base 6 can be adjusted by sliding the bar 2 out of one set of apertures, such as 38, moving it to another, such as 40, and then sliding it into the other set of apertures 40. While the bar 2 is preferably cylindrical in cross-section, it might be of another cross-section, such as polygonal if desired.
The vertical support assembly 4 comprises a freestanding vertical rear support frame 10 and a pair of vertical side support frames 30 and 32 hinged to the front side edges 12 of the freestanding rear support frame 10 so that the side support frames 30 and 32 can be folded toward, and preferably into the rear support frame 10 for portability and stowage. The hinges (not shown) define a vertical axis about which the side support frames rotate in opening into the operative position of the apparatus 1 and in closing into the folded position. These vertical axes of rotation are parallel to each other and, preferably, positioned within the peripheral outline of the freestanding rear support frame 10. In conjunction with the bar 2 and the base 6, the vertical support assembly 4 acts as a force containment cage so that the force or forces generated by the user can be at least borne by the apparatus 1, and preferably contained within the apparatus 1.
The free-standing rear support frame 10 comprises a rectangular back sheet 12 held in position by a top user support member 14. The rectangular back sheet 12 extends vertically from proximity to the bottom of the apparatus 1 to abutment to the bottom of the top member 14 so that the user can be supported at any point of their anatomy that may be at a height sufficient to contact the freestanding rear support frame 10. This is illustrated in
Each of the side support frames 30 or 34 comprises a foot member 44, a pair of horizontally spaced apart, parallel vertical support members 46 and 48, a horizontal top member 50 and at least one horizontal brace member 52 and is mirror image symmetrical with respect to the other frame of the pair. The front vertical support 48 of the side support 30 or 32 frame is provided with a plurality of horizontally extending adjustment apertures 38, 40, and 42 so that the vertical height of the user gripping bar 2 can be adjusted in accordance with the height of the user or the requirements of the exercise the user is performing. The horizontal top member 50 and the horizontal brace members 52 provide additional and supplemental user support. The horizontal brace members 52 also provide handle function. The foot member 44 extends forward of the front vertical 48 support to give the apparatus 1 stability against tipping forward. Alternatively, the side support frames 30 and 32 may comprise a rectangular sheet or or panel with the plurality of apertures 38, 40, and 42.
The user support base 6 comprises a rectangular sheet that holds the two vertical side support frames 30 and 32 in position when they are in their operative open position. The opposed, lateral side edges 6a (
Optionally and as may be seen in
In an alternative embodiment, the vertical support assembly comprises a freestanding vertical rear support frame 10 and a pair of vertical side support frames hinged to the front side edges of the free-standing rear support frame 10 as aforesaid, and a second pair of vertical side support frames 34 and 36 hinged to the rear side edges of the free-standing rear support frame 10 (so that the rear side support frames can be folded toward, and preferably into the vertical frame for portability and stowage.) This construction permits two users to use the apparatus 1 at the same time and, since they are facing each other, each may use their side, or station, independently of the other. In this embodiment, the front station (as described with respect to the first embodiment) and the rear station (which uses the same components as the first embodiment save for the vertical frame which is shared in common) are mirror image symmetrical with respect to each other. In this embodiment, legs may not need to be provided.
In use, the user may use the apparatus 1 of
The apparatus 1 of the present invention, whether as the embodiment of
As described herein, the various members are rectangular in cross-section, except for the support base 6 and the back support sheet 12 that are planar sheets.
It should be noted that various modifications may be made to the apparatus of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, as noted in the following claims.
Claims
1. A portable exercise apparatus comprising:
- a. at least one removable, horizontal user gripping bar for supporting at least portion of the force generated by a user during exercise;
- b. a vertical frame capable of supporting at least portion of the force generated by a user during exercise comprising i. a free-standing vertical rear support frame and ii. at least one pair of vertical side support frames pivotally attached to said rear support frame; and
- c. at least one user support base having opposing sides and opposing ends and capable of supporting at least a portion of the force generated by a user during exercise,
- each user gripping bar being removably attached to each of said pairs vertical side support frames; and
- said opposing sides of said user base being removably attached to each of said pairs of vertical side support frames and one end of each user base abutting said vertical rear support frame.
2. A portable exercise apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said apparatus further comprises:
- at least one pair of stabilizing legs.
3. A portable exercise apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said apparatus comprises first and second pairs of vertical side support frames and said rear support frame having a first and a second side, and said first pair of vertical side support frames pivotally attached to said first side of said rear support frame and said second pair of vertical side support frames pivotally attached to said second side of said rear support frame.
4. A portable exercise apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said apparatus further comprises:
- each of said user gripping bar being vertically adjustable at a plurality of discrete vertical positions.
5. A portable exercise apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said apparatus further comprises:
- at least one support base extension removably attached to said opposing end of said user base.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 1, 2004
Publication Date: Sep 1, 2005
Inventor: Lydia Bach (Southampton, NY)
Application Number: 10/790,582