COMBINATION PLAY SET AND EXCERCISING STATION

Abstract

A combination play set and exercise station having a base supported by a ground support surface. A platform is disposed above and supported by the base while at least one swing support is attached to and extends outwardly from the platform. At least one hook is attached to the base, platform, or swing support and an exercise strap is engageable with the hook to perform at least one exercise routine.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/099,771 filed Sep. 24, 2008, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

I. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a combination play set and exercise station.

II. Description of Related Art

Many people with small children erect a play set on their property. These play sets typically comprise a base which supports a platform at an elevated position above the base. At least one swing support extends outwardly from and is attached to the platform. Typically, the swing support is generally parallel to the ground support surface and supports one or more children's swings.

Physical fitness and physical training have become increasingly popular for adults not only in the United States, but elsewhere. Many such adults have dedicated training rooms or areas in their homes to perform various exercise routines. Such exercise areas or rooms, however, consume a great deal of space. Additionally, it would be advantageous to perform the exercise routines outdoors, at least during warm weather.

Previously, there has been no known combination of play sets and exercise stations.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention provides a combination play set and exercise station which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of the previously known devices.

In brief, the combination play set and exercise station of the present invention comprises a base supported by a ground support surface. A platform is disposed above and supported by the base. Additionally, at least one swing support is attached to and extends outwardly from the platform. One or more children's swings are then attached to the swing support

In order to provide access to the platform, a ladder and/or ramp extends from the ground support surface to the platform. Consequently, children may use the play set in the normal fashion.

In order to utilize the play set as an exercise station, at least one hook is attached to the base, platform, and/or swing support. An elongated exercise strap is engageable with the hook to perform at least one exercise routine.

Additionally, a pair of spaced apart arm supports are secured to and extend outwardly from the base at a position spaced above the ground support surface. These arm supports may be used to perform various exercise routines.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

A better understanding of the present invention will be had upon reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view illustrating one aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view illustrating a still further aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIGS. 2 and 3 and illustrating still a further aspect of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

With reference first to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the combination play set and exercise station 20 is illustrated. The combination play set and exercise station includes a base 22 supported on a ground support surface. The base 22 includes several upright supports 24 which are attached to and support a platform 26 at an elevated position above the ground support surface. Fencing 28 is preferably provided around portions of the platform 24 for the safety of children playing on the platform 24.

At least one swing support 28 is attached to and extends outwardly from the platform 24. This swing support 28 includes an elongated horizontal support 30 and vertical support 32. One end of the horizontal support 28 is attached to the platform 24 while the vertical support 32 supports the free end of the horizontal support 30. One or more children's swings 34 are then attached to and depend downwardly from the horizontal support 30 of the swing support 28.

In order to provide access to the platform 24, a ramp 35 extends from the ground support surface to the platform. Additionally, a ladder 36 may be attached to or formed as part of the base to provide access to the platform 24.

As thus far described, the combination play set and exercise station 20 functions as a typical play set for small children. Such children may swing on the swings 34, play on the platform 24, and so forth.

In order to utilize the play set as a combination play set and exercise station, at least one hook 50 is attached to the base 24, platform 26, or swing support 28. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the hook 50 is attached to the swing support 28. An elongated exercise strap 52 is then detachably secured to the hook 50 and used to perform one or more exercise routines.

With reference now to FIG. 3, the hook 50 may alternatively be attached to a climbing rope 54 attached between the ends of the ramp 35. This allows exercise routines to be performed with the exercise strap 52 in conjunction with the ramp 35.

As shown in FIG. 4, the hook may also be attached to the base 22 to perform exercise routines with resistance bands.

It will be understood, of course, that in the preferred embodiment of the invention, numerous hooks 50 are attached to the platform 24, swing support 28, and base 22. These multiple hooks allow different exercise routines to be performed in conjunction with the play set.

With reference now again to FIG. 1, a pair of elongated arm supports 60 are attached to and extend horizontally outwardly from the base 24 at a position spaced upwardly from the ground support surface. These arm supports 60 are preferably spaced apart and parallel to each other and are positioned just below the platform 26. These arm supports 60, which are preferably generally parallel to each other, permit a person to support themselves on the arm support 60 to perform various exercise routines. A handle 62 is optionally attached to each arm support 60 to permit still further exercise routines to be performed on the combination play set and exercise station 20.

As shown in FIG. 1, a chin up bar 74 is secured to the platform 26 to perform manual chin ups. Although the bar 74 is illustrated as being positioned above the arm supports 60, alternatively, they may be positioned anywhere on the platform 26 or upper portion of the base 22.

With reference still to FIG. 4, a step box 70 is also preferably positioned adjacent the base. This step box 70 allows leg exercises to be performed with the combination play set and exercise station 20.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that the present invention provides a simple and yet effective combination play set and exercise station. Having described my invention, however, many modifications thereto will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains without deviation from the spirit of the invention as defined by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A combination play set and exercise station comprising:

a base supported by a ground support surface,

a platform disposed above and supported by said base,

at least one swing support attached to and extending outwardly from said platform,

at least one hook attached to one of said base, said platform or said swing support, and

an exercise strap or resistance band engageable with said at least one hook, said strap used to perform at least one exercise routine.

2. The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said strap is made of a flexible, non-elastic material.

3. The combination as defined in claim 1 and comprising a step-up box positioned adjacent said base.

4. The combination as defined in claim 1 and comprising a pair of spaced apart arm supports secured to and extending outwardly from said base.

5. The combination as defined in claim 4 wherein said arm supports are positioned above the ground support surface and below said platform.

6. The combination as defined in claim 4 wherein said arm supports are elongated, spaced apart and parallel to each other.

7. The combination as defined in claim 1 and comprising a ramp extending from the ground support surface to said platform, and wherein said at least one hook is secured to said platform in alignment with said ramp.

8. The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said at least one hook is attached to said base.

9. The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said at least one hook is attached to said platform.

10. The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said at least one hook is attached to said swing support.

11. The combination defined in claim 1 and comprising a chin up bar attached to said platform or an upper portion of said base.