Exercise Bench

Abstract

An exercise bench having a support platform with a pair of legs connected to the support platform, and a base portion having a pair of support members and the pair of upstanding legs receive the pair of legs in a telescopic manner. The legs and upstanding legs are connected when a desired platform height is achieved. The base portion has a plate with hook bars, and resistance bands are releasably attached to the hook bars. In another embodiment there are first and second support platforms each having a leg. The base portion has upstanding legs that are received in the pair of legs and connected at to the legs. The heights of the first and second platforms may be the same or different. Resistance bands are connected to the base portion and the pair of legs.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/847,078, filed Sep. 25, 2006 to Sheehan for an Exercise Bench, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Exercise machines are used by individual wanting to increase their strength and fitness. The exercise machines currently in use are oftentimes cumbersome, large and take up valuable space. In addition, exercise machines are typically dedicated to working a particular muscle or group of muscles. This results in need for multiple exercise devices to achieve a complete work-out. These exercise devices need to be stored when not in use, and this results in storage problems.

Thus there is a need for a compact piece of exercise equipment that provides the user with the option of working multiple muscle groups and that is compact and easy to store when not in use, and allows a single user or multiple users to exercise on the same piece of equipment simultaneously.

SUMMARY

The exercise bench is a piece of exercise equipment the permits a user to exercise multiple muscle groups, and is compact for easy storage, and removes the need for multiple pieces of exercise equipment.

In a one of the preferred embodiments, the exercise bench comprises a platform with legs and a base portion. The base portion has a pair of support members each of which has an upstanding leg for telescopically receiving the legs extending from the platform. Pin locks extend through upstanding leg openings and openings in the legs to connect the platform and base. The height of the platform is adjustable relative to the base by inserting the pins through upstanding leg opens and different openings in the legs. The base portion has at least one hook bar to which resistance bands attach.

In another preferred embodiment, there are first and second platforms, and legs extend from each of the first and second platforms. There is a base portion with upstanding legs that are receivable in openings in the legs extending from the first and second platforms, and plunger pins connect the first and second platforms to the upstanding legs. The first and second platforms are adjustable relative to one another to provide a step for stepping exercises, squats and other exercises, and any padding on the first and second platforms is removable to accommodate stepping exercises and other exercises. The base portion has at least one hook bar and at least one tie down hook to which resistance bands attach.

In each embodiment, one person may exercise on the exercise bench, or multiple users may exercise on the exercise bench simultaneously, and the user may use the resistance bands, or may use free weights to exercise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

The invention is illustrated in the drawings in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the drawing figures of which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view;

FIG. 4 is an end elevation view;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an exercise bench;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the second embodiment of the exercise bench; and

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the knob.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring generally to FIGS. 1-4 and initially to FIG. 1, an exercise bench 10 (also referred to herein as bench 10) is shown which includes a support platform 12. The support platform 12 is disposed generally horizontal to a support surface 100, for example a floor. The support platform 12 has opposed first and second sides 13, 15, respectively. The support platform 12 may be constructed of suitable sturdy materials, for example steel, and may be provided with removable padding 17 on the firsts side 13, as will be evident to those of having ordinary skill in the art. A pair of legs 18 extend substantially perpendicular to the support platform 12. Each of the legs 18 is fixedly attached to the second side 15 of platform 12 by mounting plates 20 that are connected to the platform 12 with, for example fasteners or a weld. Each of the legs 18 has openings 24 that are spaced apart from one another along the length of the leg 18 and that provide for adjustment of the height of the platform 12 as will be described presently.

The bench 10 further includes a base portion 26 that includes a pair of support members 30 which may be horizontal. The support members 30 are be constructed of suitable materials such as tubular metal or other sturdy materials. The ends of the support members 30 have end caps 34. The support members 30 are disposed on a support surface 100 (also referred to herein as floor) and extend for a length, designated L, suitable to provide stability such that the bench 10 does tip over during use. Each support member 30 has an upstanding leg 36 which may extend from about the middle 33 of the support members 30. Each of the upstanding legs 36 is tubular and has an end opening 37, and each has an inside diameter that is greater than the outside diameter of the legs 18, so that the legs 18 are receivable in the upstanding legs 36 through the openings 37 in a telescoping fashion. In other words, the legs 18 function as male members and the upstanding legs 26 serve as female members. In other preferred embodiments, the upstanding legs 36 and legs 18 may have any virtually any cross section so long as the legs 18 are capable of being received in the upstanding legs 26. Each of the upstanding legs 36 has an upstanding leg opening 38 for receiving a pin lock 42. Pin locks 42 are well known to those having ordinary skill in the art. The legs 18 are introduced into the into the upstanding legs 36, and slid into the upstanding legs 36 until one of the openings 24 in each of the legs 18 aligns the upstanding leg opening 38. The pin locks 42 are inserted through the aligned upstanding leg openings 38 and openings 24 in the legs 18 and locked in place, and in this manner the height designated H in FIG. 2 of the platform 12 is fixed. The height of the platform 12 relative to the support surface 100 can be readily adjusted by unlocking the pin locks 42 and moving the platform 12 up or down in a telescopic manner. When the desired height of the platform 12 is achieved, the pin locks 42 are re-inserted through the aligned upstanding leg openings 38 and openings 24 in the legs 18 and locked in place, thus fixing the height of the platform 12.

A plurality of U-shaped hooks 44 may be attached to and extend from the upstanding legs 36 to provide for attachment points for resistance bands 80. The resistance band 80 has a handle end 82 connected to handle 84, and an opposed connecting end 86 with a connecting member 88 which is, in one of the preferred embodiments a carabiner. Carabiners are well known to those having ordinary skill in the art. The resistance band 80 is made of an elastic material such that when the resistance band 80 is not under load it has an unstressed length, and when a tension force is applied to the resistance band 80 its length increases. The resistance band 80 returns to its unstressed length when the tension force is relieved. Thus, the resistance band 80 provides resistance as it is elongated by the user, and as the user controls the contraction of the resistance band 80 as it is returned to the unstressed length.

The support members 30 have a plate 46 connected between them. The plate 46 may be attached to the support member 30 in various ways as will be evident to those having ordinary skill in the art. For example, welds may be used. The plate 46 may be formed with a planar first portion 48 that extends substantially parallel to the platform 12. The plate 48 has opposed first and second sides 49, 51, respectively. The top portion 48 extends to a side portion 50 and a side portion 52 that extend perpendicularly in a direction away from the platform 12 at opposite sides of the top portion 48. The plate 46 has a plurality of openings 54 that are disposed at the corners 55 commonly designated 55, where the top portion 48 meets the side portions 50, 52. A hook bar 60 is attached second side 51 of the plate 46 in the corner 55 by suitable means well known to those having ordinary skill in the art. Another hook bar 60 may be attached to the second side of the plate 46 at the other corner 51a. In other embodiment, the hook bars 60 may be attached to the top portion 48 of the plate 46. The hook bars 60 are accessible through the plate openings 54 provided in the plate 46, and the hook bars 60 provides an attachment point for the resistance bands 80 through the plate openings 54.

As shown on the right hand side of FIG. 1, a set of wheels 62 is attached to one of the support members 30. The wheels 62 are be mounted on an axle supported by the legs 66 of a U-shaped support plate 68. The wheels 62 are supported at a spaced apart distance from the bottom of support member 30 and therefore above the support surface 100 as best shown in FIG. 2. Accordingly when the bench 10 is horizontal, the wheels 62 do not engage the support surface 100. However, by lifting the bench 10 and rotating it about the support member 30, the wheels 62 can be brought into engagement with the support surface 100 and the bench 10 can be moved by rolling it on the wheels 62.

At the opposite end of the bench 10, i.e., on the left hand side of the bench 10 as viewed in FIG. 1, there is a side extension plate 72 is pivotally attached to the support member 30. The plate 72 pivots on a hinge 74 that is supported by eye bolts 78. Other means for pivotally attaching the side extension plate 72 to the support member 30 will be evident to those of ordinary skill in the art. The side extension plate 72 is designed to have a length and width suitable for supporting a user in a standing position.

In use, the bench 10 provides a platform 12 that can be used for exercises where the user, that is, the person using the exercise bench 10, lies on his or her back or stomach or where the user is in a sitting position. The hooks 44 on the legs 36 and the bars 60 which are accessible through the openings 54 along the plate 46 provide attachment points for the carabiners connected to the resistance bands 80, as shown in FIG. 2. The side extension plate 72 provides a platform for standing exercises. In addition, the exercise bench 10 advantageously allows for a plurality of people to use at the same time. For example, one person may be on his or her back on the platform 12 and use a resistance band 80 connected to one of the U-shaped hooks 44 or hook bars 60, while other people sit on the floor 100 and pull on resistance bands 80 attached to the hook bars 60. Forces applied to the exercise bench 10 from the people pulling on the resistance bands 80 on opposite sides of the exercise bench 10 balance one another. Or, the exercise bench 10 may be connected to the support surface 100 fasteners. Thus, the exercise bench 10 advantageously allows one, two, three or four or more people to exercise on the same exercise bench 10 simultaneously, which also advantageously eliminates the need for multiple pieces of exercise equipment and the storage problems associated therewith. In addition, the user may use the exercise bench 10 when lifting free weights. Thus, the exercise bench 10 advantageously has many uses.

In another preferred embodiment, shown in FIGS. 5-7, there is an exercise bench 110 having a first platform and a second platform 112, 114, respectively, each of which is disposed generally horizontal to the support surface 100. Each of the first and second support platforms 112, 114 has opposed first and second sides 13, 15, respectively. Pads 17 are provided and are capable of being removable attached to the first sides 13 of the first and second platforms 112, 114. The pads 17 are removed during, for example stepping exercises, so that the user does not have to step on a potentially slippery pad 17.

A pair of legs 118 are provided, such that one of legs 118 extends substantially perpendicular to each of the first support platform 112 and the other leg 118 extends substantially perpendicular to the second support platform 114. Mounting plates 20 fixedly attach the each of the legs 118 to the second side 15 of the first and second platforms 112, 114. Each of the legs 118 has an end opening 119, and a plunger pin opening 121 for receiving a plunger pin 125, and an knob opening 123 that may be internally threaded for receiving a knob 127 that may be externally threaded. Knobs 127 and plunger pins 125 are well known to those having ordinary skill in the art. At least one of the legs 118 has at least one tie downs 129 connected to it with, for example a weld, and both legs 118 may have tie downs 129 in other preferred embodiments. The tie downs 129 serve as points of attachment for the connecting members 88 of the resistance bands 80.

The exercise bench 110 has a base portion 126 that includes a pair of support members 130 which, as shown in FIG. 5, are horizontal. The support members 130 have fastening end caps 134 with openings 135 in order that the exercise bench 110 is capable of being fastened to the support surface 100 with, for example, fasteners 139 such as bolts. It is pointed out that that end caps 34 described in connection with the first embodiment may be replaced with fastening end caps 134.

Each support member 130 has an upstanding leg 136 that may extends from about a midpoint 133 of the support member 130. Each of the upstanding legs 136 is tubular and has an end opening 137, and each and an outside diameter that is less than an inside diameter of the legs 118, such that the upstanding legs 136 are receivable in the legs 118 connected to the first and second platforms 112a, 112b, through the openings end openings 119 in a telescopic manner. In other words, the legs 118 function as female members and the upstanding legs 126 serve as the male members. The legs 118 and upstanding legs 136 are generally rectangular. In other preferred embodiments, the legs 118 and upstanding legs 136 may have any virtually any cross section so long as the upstanding members 126 is are capable being mateably received in the upstanding legs 118. Each of the upstanding legs 136 has upstanding leg openings 138 that are spaced apart from one another along the length of the upstanding leg 136. The upstanding leg openings 138 are for receiving the plunger pin 125 and knob 127.

With respect to each of the first and second support platforms 112a, 112b, the legs 118 are fitted over the upstanding legs 136 and slid over the upstanding legs 136 until one of the upstanding leg openings 138 aligns with the plunger pin opening 121. The plunger pins 125, which are spring loaded, are inserted through the aligned openings and locked to connect each of the first and second support platforms 112, 114 to the base portion 126. Then, with respect to each of the upstanding legs 126, the knobs 127 are threaded to the knob openings 123 in the legs 118 and tightened until the knob end 127a abuts and forces against the upstanding legs 126. This results in there being no play between the upstanding legs 126 and the legs 118, which advantageously provides for a very stable exercise bench 110. After tightening the knobs, the first and second support platforms 112, 114 are stabilized and will not thereafter rotate when the exercise bench 110 is used. In this manner, the heights designated H1 and H2 in FIG. 6 of each of the first and second support platforms 112, 114 is fixed. The heights H1 and H2 of each of the first and second support platforms 112, 114 may be readily adjusted relative to the support surface 100 by removal of the plunger pin 125 and loosening the knob 127 and moving the one or both of first and second platforms 112, 114 toward or away from the support surface 100, a telescopic manner. When the desired height of each of the first and second platforms 112, 114 is achieved, the plunger pins 125 are aligned upstanding leg openings 138 and then moved into the leg openings 118 and through the upstanding leg openings 138 and locked in place, and the knobs 127 are tightened thus fixing the height of the first and second platforms 112, 114.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the heights H1 and H2 of the first and second platforms 112, 114 are different, such that there is a gap designated G in FIG. 6, which is the distance between the first and second support platforms 112, 114. The gap G defines a step 115. Thus, because the heights H1 and H2 may be adjusted, the person exercising may advantageously set the level of difficult for the stepping exercises by adjusting the heights H1 and H2. In addition, the first and second platforms 112, 114, may be adjusted relative to one another in the above-described manner so that they have the same height, that is, H1 equals H2, in which case the user is able to lay on the exercise bench 110.

The base portion 126 of the exercise bench 110 includes a plate 46, a hook bar 60 and wheels 62 that are the same as described in connection with the first embodiment. In addition, joined to the plate 46 and extending in a direction toward the first and second platforms 112, 114 is a weight stud 130. The weight stud 130 is for receiving weights 132 to increase the weight of the exercise bench 110, which increases the stability of the exercise bench 110. The exercise bench 10 of the first embodiment may be embodied with a weight stud 122. In addition, there are tie down hooks 129 connected to the plate 46 and the support members 130 with, for example a weld or other suitable means, to provide for additional points of attachment for the resistance bands 80. The first embodiment may also be equipped with tie down hooks 129.

In use, the exercise bench 110 may be used in the same manner as described in connection with the first embodiment, with the addition that the resistance bands 88 are attachable to the tie down hooks 129, and the first and second platforms 112, 114 are adjustable for stepping exercises. The person exercising is capable of using the first and second platforms 112, 114 for stepping exercises, squats, push-ups, free weight exercises, exercises using the resistance bands 80, stepping exercises using the resistance bands, etc. It is pointed out the for stepping exercises the removable pads 17 would be removed so that the person exercising would not be stepping on potentially slippery pads, and to prevent the pads from becoming soiled.

While the invention has been described in connection with certain embodiments, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular forms set forth, but, on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An exercise bench comprising:

a platform;

a pair of legs connected to the platform; and

a base portion having a pair of upstanding legs and the pair of legs is supported by the pair of upstanding legs and wherein the platform is adjustable relative to the base portion to accommodate different uses of the exercise bench.

2. The exercise bench according to claim 1 wherein the base portion further includes a pair of support members that support the pair of upstanding legs.

3. The exercise bench according to claim 1 wherein each of the upstanding legs had an end opening and one of legs of the pair of legs is positioned in one of the upstanding legs of the pair of upstanding legs, and the other leg of the pair of legs is positioned in the other upstanding leg of the pair of legs such that the pair of pair of legs is telescopically received in the pair of upstanding legs.

4. The exercise bench according to claim 3 wherein each leg has spaced apart openings and the pair of upstanding legs each has an upstanding leg opening and wherein when the pair of legs are positioned in the pair of upstanding legs such that one of the openings in the pair of legs is aligned with the upstanding leg openings and a pin locks are positioned in the aligned leg openings and upstanding leg openings to connect the pair of legs and pair of upstanding legs.

5. The exercise bench according to claim 1 further including a hook member connected to at least one of upstanding legs and a resistance band attached to the hook member and the resistance band for providing resistance during for exercising.

6. The exercise bench according to claim 2 wherein the base portion further includes a plate that extends from one of the support members in the pair of supports members to the other of the support members in the pair of support members and the plate is connected to each, and the plate has at least one plate opening, and a hook bar is joined to the plate and wherein the hook bar is accessible through the at least one plate opening in order that at least one resistance band is capable of being attached to the hook bar through the plate opening.

7. The exercise bench according to claim 6 wherein the plate is substantially parallel to the platform.

8. The exercise bench according to claim 2 further including side extension plate hingedly connected to one of the support members in the pair of support members and the extension plate for supporting the feet of a user while the user exercises.

9. An exercise bench comprising:

a first platform and a second platform;

a pair of legs one of each being connected to the first platform and the other being connected to the second platform; and

a base portion having a pair of upstanding legs and the pair of upstanding legs are received in the pair of legs such that the first and second platforms are supported by the pair of upstanding legs in order that the first and second platforms are independently adjustable relative to the base portion to accommodate different uses of the exercise bench.

10. The exercise bench according to claim 9 wherein the base portion further includes a pair of support members that support the pair of upstanding legs.

11. The exercise bench according to claim 9 wherein each of the upstanding legs has and end opening in order that each of the upstanding legs of the pair of upstanding legs is capable of being positioned in one of the legs such that the pair of upstanding legs are telescopically received in the pair legs.

12. The exercise bench according to claim 9 wherein each of the pair of legs has a plunger pin opening and a knob opening and the and each of the upstanding legs has spaced apart upstanding leg openings, and the pair of legs is positioned in the pair of upstanding legs such each of the plunger pin openings aligns with the one of the upstanding leg openings and a plunger pins are positioned therein to connect the pair of legs to the upstanding legs and wherein the knobs are positioned in the knob openings in the legs and abut against the upstanding legs to stabilize the exercise bench.

13. The exercise bench according to claim 9 wherein each of the legs of the pair of legs has a knob opening with an internal thread, and a knob having an external thread which is threaded to the internal thread such that when the pair of legs is positioned over the pair of upstanding legs the knobs are capable a being tightened against the upstanding legs to prevent the first and second platforms from moving in order to stabilize the exercise bench.

14. The exercise bench according to claim 9 further including a tie down connected to at least one of legs of the pair of legs and a resistance band attached to the tie down and the resistance band for providing resistance during for exercising.

15. The exercise bench according to claim 10 wherein the base member further includes a plate that extends from one of the support members in the pair of supports members to the other of the support members in the pair of support members and the plate is connected to each and the plate has at least one plate opening, and at least one hook bar is joined to the plate and wherein the hook bar is accessible through the at least one plate opening to provide a point of attachment for a resistance band, and the plate having tie downs connected to it for providing points of attachment for resistance bands.

16. The exercise bench according to claim 12 wherein the first and second platforms are independently adjustable relative to the base portion in order that each has a different height thereby defining a step for exercising.

17. A method of making an exercise bench comprising:

providing a platform,

providing a pair of legs and connecting the pair of legs to the platform; and

providing a base portion with a pair of upstanding legs and positioning the pair of legs in the pair of upstanding legs and supporting the platform on the base portion.

18. The method of making an exercise bench according to claim 17 further including providing the base with a pair of support members and supporting the pair of legs with the base portion.

19. The method of making an exercise bench according to claim 18 further including providing each of the pair of support members with an upstanding leg with and end opening and positioning one leg of the pair of legs in one of the upstanding legs of the pair of upstanding legs, and positioning the other leg of the pair of legs in the other upstanding leg of the pair of legs such that the pair of legs is telescopically received in the pair of upstanding legs.

20. The method of making an exercise bench according to claim 17 further comprising providing the pair of legs with spaced apart openings and providing each of the upstanding legs in the pair of upstanding legs with an upstanding leg opening and positioning the pair of legs in the pair of upstanding legs and aligning the openings in the pair of legs with the upstanding leg openings and inserting pin locks in openings in the pair of legs and upstanding leg openings to connect the pair of legs and pair of upstanding legs.