EXERCISE ASSEMBLY

Abstract

An exercise assembly for performing multiple exercises includes a pivotable bar assembly and a dip bar assembly. The pivotable bar assembly extends through a frame and has a central bar connected between first ends of a pair of swings arms, with second ends of the swing arms pivotably connected to facing surfaces of the frame. The dip bar assembly extends across a front side of the frame and includes a main tube with a pair of handles extending outward from the main tube and resting on the center bar of the bar assembly.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is related to U.S. application Ser. No. 12/042,368 to Hauser, et al., filed Mar. 5, 2008 in the United States Patent & Trademark Office and entitled “PULLUP EXERCISE ASSEMBLY WITH ROTATABLE HANDLES AND PIVOTABLE BAR”, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Example embodiments of the present invention generally relate to an exercise assembly adapted for performing a dip exercise and other exercises.

2. Related Art

Pullups and chin-ups are exercises consisting of chinning oneself, as on a horizontal bar attached at each end to a frame of a door or doorpost, or of chinning oneself on other outdoor or fitness equipment. Both are compound exercises designed to work the muscles of the upper body. Basically, the difference lies in the grip. One performing a chin-up uses a narrow grip with the palms facing inward, while a pullup is done with a wider grip on the bar and with the palms facing outward.

Traditionally, the exercise of performing a pullup or chin-up places substantial strain on the joints and is limited to exercising certain muscles in the arms, neck and back. Pullup bars with rotatable handle assemblies have been developed to exercise additional muscles in the arms, neck and back. However, these systems do not address or facilitate core muscle exercises (abdominal, trunk).

Further, traditional pull-up and chin-up bars do not allow for the performance of dip exercises. The user must use a separate dip bar having horizontal handles in order to perform a dip. These conventional dip bars have a fixed width between the handles.

SUMMARY

An example embodiment of the present invention is directed to an exercise assembly that includes a pivotable bar assembly and a dip bar assembly. The pivotable bar assembly extends through a frame and has a central bar connected between first ends of a pair of swings arms, with second ends of the swing arms pivotably connected to facing surfaces of the frame. The dip bar assembly extends across a front side of the frame and includes a main tube with a pair of handles extending outward from the main tube and resting on the center bar of the bar assembly.

Another example embodiment is directed to an exercise assembly that includes a bar assembly attached to a frame and configured to be pivoted at one end so as to extend outward through the frame, and a dip bar assembly extending across a front side of the frame and including a pair of handles extending outward from a main tube of the dip bar assembly and resting on the bar assembly.

Another example embodiment is directed to a dip bar assembly for placement against a frame. The assembly includes a pair of end stubs, a main tube and a pair of handles extending outward from the main tube. The main tube is secured between the end stubs, with ends of the end stubs terminating in bumpers which engage a front surface of the frame. Each end stub includes a bracket for supporting a swing arm of a pivotable bar assembly therein so that the swing arms are angled outward from the frame toward the dip bar assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Example embodiments of the present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are represented by like reference numerals, which are given by way of illustration only and thus do not limit the example embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exercise assembly installed within a frame in accordance with the example embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a partial exploded view of the bar assembly to illustrate components in greater detail.

FIG. 3 is a partial exploded view of the bar assembly to illustrate connection thereof between vertical surfaces.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the dip bar exercise assembly in accordance with the example embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the bracket of the dip bar assembly to illustrate additional detail.

FIG. 6 is a partial view of the exercise assembly to illustrate the positioning of the bracket in more detail.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the bar assembly installed within a frame with a set of rotatable handle assemblies in accordance with another example embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the handle assembly of FIG. 7 to illustrate components in greater detail.

FIG. 9 illustrates a user performing a standard dip exercise on the exercise assembly.

FIG. 10 illustrates a user performing a reverse dip exercise on the exercise assembly.

FIG. 11 illustrates a user performing an Australian pullup on the exercise assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exercise assembly installed within a frame in accordance with the example embodiments. The exercise assembly 100 includes a pivotable bar assembly 200 secured within a frame 400 and removably attached to a dip bar assembly 300. The bar assembly 200 includes a pair of swing arms 250 that may pivot at pivot points 275. Ends of the swing arms 250 are attached to facing surfaces 405 of the frame 400, as shown in FIG. 1. The bar assembly 200 includes a central bar 205 secured between a pair of end stubs 254 by collars 212. The central bar 205 can include an over-mold grip or sleeve to provide a non-slip surface, for example. The central bar 205, swing arms 250 and end stubs 254 may be composed of a metal material such as steel (which may be painted for stylistic purposes), and alloy thereof, aluminum, etc.

The dip bar assembly 300 includes a main tube 305 secured between a pair of stub tubes 310 by collars 315. The ends of the stub tubes 310 terminate in bumpers 330 that protect the frame 400. The dip bar assembly 300 includes a pair of handles 350 attached to the main tube 305 and also attached to the central bar 205 of the bar assembly 200. The handle 350 may include an over-mold material thereon, such as foam rubber, to provide a non-slip surface.

Additionally, the dip bar assembly 300 includes a pair of brackets 320 designed to receive and support the swing arms 250, as shown in FIG. 1. The brackets may be made of a thermoplastic material such as ABS for example. The components of the dip bar assembly 300 may be composed of a metal material such as steel (which may be painted for stylistic purposes), and alloy thereof, aluminum, etc.

In FIG. 1, the handles 350 of the dip bar assembly 300 are shown in a slightly raised position. This is to better illustrate a support 354 that is provided on an underside of each handle 350. Each support 354 is designed to rest on the central bar 205 of the bar assembly 200. Additionally in this raised position, the brackets 320 are shown away from the central bar 200, it being understood that in the installed position the brackets 320 rest against the end stubs 254 of the central bar 205.

FIG. 2 is a partial exploded view of the bar assembly 200 to illustrate components in greater detail; and FIG. 3 is a partial exploded view of the bar assembly 200 to illustrate connection thereof between vertical surfaces. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the outer ends of each end stub 254 are attached to corresponding upper ends of side struts 252. The portion of the swing arm 250 shown in circle B of FIG. 3 is received into an upper hook mount 215. The upper hook mount 215 includes a channel 216 to receive the end of end stub 254 and top of a side strut 252 at the intersection thereof. Thus, the channel 216 has a sufficient width to accommodate the upper portion of the swing arm 250, as shown best in FIG. 3. The upper hook mount 215 can secured to a vertical or facing surface 405 of the door frame 400 for example by suitable fasteners 217 (such as wood screws) through holes 219 formed in the upper hook mount 215.

A lower pivot mount 251 (shown generally as the pivot point 275 in FIG. 1) is provided to enable the bar assembly 200 to be pivotable, once the top of the assembly 200 is lifted out of the channels 216 of the hook mounts 215. The lower pivot mount 251 is secured to the facing surface 405 by suitable fasteners 258 (such as wood screws) through holes 259 formed in the lower pivot mount 251. The lower pivot mount 251 contains the pivot pin 255. The pivot pin 255 has a post with a mushroom head 257 that is configured to extend into the larger opening of the slotted aperture 253. Once the desired location of the bar assembly 200 is set, i.e., the assembly 200 has either (a) been set for conventional pullup/chin-up exercises, or (b) has been pivoted to some desired angle from vertical for another exercise, such as a dip exercise, the mushroom head 257 captures surfaces of the side struts 252.

For example, once the bar assembly 200 has been pushed downward so that the pivot pin 255 rides up the narrower channel 256 of slotted aperture 253, the mushroom head 257 of the pivot pin 255 captures surfaces of the side struts 252 along the slotted aperture 253. Exercising may begin. In one example, the bar assembly 200 can be removed from the channels 216 of the upper hook mounts 215 and rotated up to 180 degrees to a lower dimension, pivoting around the lower pivot mounts 251 so as to permit one to perform inverted pushup exercises from the ground up, a standing rowing exercise, a dip exercise etc.

With a load on the exercise assembly 100, the forces induced by the weight are absorbed by the bar assembly 200 and dip bar assembly 300 against the frame 400. The downward force on handles 350 is absorbed in part by the central bar 205, which in turn is secured in the brackets 320 of the dip bar assembly 300. The main tube 305 and stub tubes 310 also absorb the forces imparted on the handles 350, and the bumpers 330 protect the frame 400 against damage.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the dip bar assembly 300 in accordance with the example embodiments. The stub tubes 310 are received within the hollow interior of the main tube 305 and, once the desired width is set, are secured by tightening the collars 315 with a suitable wrench, such as a hex wrench 317 in this example. The brackets 320 include a lower bore 325 which fits over each stub tube 310. Each bumper 330 has a central bore 335 designed to slide over the stub tube 310 end.

The handles 350 are infinitely or variably adjustable in width, within the constraints the main tube 305, i.e., to the collars 315. This is unlike conventional dip bars which have fixed widths between the handles. Each handle 350 includes a collar 351 integrally formed and having a bore 352 so as to slide over the main tube 305, to be set at any desired position on the main tube 305. An angled arm 353 extends downward from the collar 351 and flares out to a level grip end 355. Each angled arm 353 includes a support 354 on an underside thereof. Each support 354 is designed to rest on the central bar 205 of the bar assembly 200. Each grip end 355 can include an over-mold grip 356 and a decorative end cap 358 that inserts into the bore 357 of the grip end 355 once the grip 356 has been slipped over grip end 355.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the bracket of the dip bar assembly to illustrate additional detail. The bracket 320 is designed to secure the swing arms 250 to the stub tubes 310 of the dip bar assembly 300. Bracket 320 includes a lower bore 325 that slips over the stub tube 310 to attach the bracket 320 to the stub tube 310. The bracket 320 includes an elongated channel 322 for receiving the side strut 252 of the swing arm 250. A clip projection 324 is provided at the rear exterior end of the bracket 320 so as to prevent the side strut 252 from popping out of the channel 322. A half-round feature 326 is formed on the inner side at the front end of the bracket 320 to provide alignment, spacing and additional support with the bracket 320 in place on the end stub 254 of the central bar 205.

FIG. 6 is a partial view of the exercise assembly to illustrate the positioning of the bracket in more detail. In the properly installed position, the bore 325 of the bracket 320 is slid over the stub tube 310 to secure the bracket 320 thereon. The side strut 252 of the swing arm 250 is snapped into the bracket 320 and secured therein via the clip projection 324. The two bars 205, 305 are then repositioned so that the supports 354 rest over the central bar 205 and the half-round feature 326 of the bracket 320 abuts up against and receives the end stub 254 of the central bar 205, as shown in FIG. 6.

The half-round feature 326 locates the main tube 305 of the dip bar assembly 300 at the proper height along the swing arms 250 so that the supports 354 on the underside of the angled arms 353 of the handles 350 do not gouge the foam rubber cover of the central bar 205. The half-round features 326 secure the dip bar assembly 300 to the swings arms 250, preventing the dip bar assembly 300 from falling if the central bar 250 is ever pulled away from the door frame 400.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the bar assembly 200 installed within the frame 400 for pullup and chin-up exercises, among other exercises. The bar assembly 200 is shown positioned between the facing surfaces 405 of the frame 400. One or more handle assemblies 500 can be affixed to the central bar 205 via a J-hook 510 that forms part of a rotatable handle assembly 500.

The handle assembly 500 includes the J-hook 510, a rotation assembly 520, and a handle 530. The J-hook 510 grips the central bar 205. The J-hook 510 is connected to the rotation assembly 520, which in turn is connection to the handle 530. The J-hook 510 remains fixed in place as the handle 530 can be rotated around the axis of the J-hook 510 via the rotation assembly 520. As will be shown hereafter, the handle assemblies 500 can be used in conjunction with the dip bar assembly 300. As shown, the bar assembly 200 is configured for pull-ups and chin-ups.

As previously noted, the bar assembly 200 can pivot about the pivot pins 255. In an example, the bar assembly 200 is first lifted out of the upper hook mounts 215 to unlock the pivot pin 255, such that the pin 255 slides down into the wider part of the slotted aperture 253. The bar assembly 200 can then be rotated to a desired angle from vertical to perform a different exercise such as a dip, standing row, inverted pullup, etc.

The central hollow metal bar 205 can be covered with an over-mold grip, as previously described. The central bar 205 is dimensioned so that its inner diameter is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the end stubs 254. Accordingly, the end stubs 254 are received within the central bar 205, and may be secured via retaining rings 210.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the handle assembly of FIG. 7 to illustrate components in greater detail. The rotation assembly 520 includes a generally circular or cylindrical bearing 519 which is positioned between a washer 525 and an internally threaded plug 518. The bearing 519 permits the handle 530 to be rotated 360 degrees in either direction around a vertical axis of the J-hook 510 that is perpendicular to the bar 205 during exercise. The plug 518 receives a hex bolt 526 such that the external threads on bolt 526 mate with internal threads within plug 518 to connect the J-hook 510 with handle 530. The plug 518 has a hex head shape that is a standard profile for an Allen wrench, and fits into a bore 517 formed in base 516. As can be seen in FIG. 8, bolt 526 extends through neck 539, washer 525 and bearing 519, to be threaded into the plug 518.

The rotation assembly 520 includes a rubber bellow 528 between the hook 510 and the neck 539 of the handle 530. At its top, the rubber bellow 528 attaches to the base 516 of the J-hook 510. The rubber bellow 528 mates with the neck 539 of handle 530 at its bottom so that a portion of the neck 539 contacts an interior surface of the bellow 528. The rubber below 528 encloses the washer 525 and a portion of the bolt 526 extending there through.

The handle 530 includes a hollow metal shaft 537 overlaid with or sheathed within grip member 538. Shaft 537 may be composed of chrome steel or aluminum, for example, and is secured to arms of the U-bracket 532 via insertion of fasteners 534 through holes 533 in the U-bracket 532. The grip member 538 may be made of a foam rubber or suitable elastomeric material and has a wider or thicker center portion which tapers down to the end portions of the grip member 548.

The bearing 519 has an opening for receiving the bolt 526. When the handle assembly 500 is assembled, the bearing 519 fits up into a bore 517 formed within the base 516 of the J-hook 510, contacting an underside surface of plug 518.

FIGS. 9-11 illustrate a user performing various exercises on the exercise assembly 100. In these examples, the exercise assembly 100 includes the bar assembly 200 installed with the dip bar assembly 300 with a door frame such as frame 400, it being understood that handle assemblies 500 could be used. As shown in FIG. 9, the user is performing a standard dip on the dip bar assembly 300 as installed within a door frame; the swing arm assemblies 250 are rotated downward from vertical. FIGS. 10 and 11 show different exercises; in each figure part of the wall next to the frame is removed so as to better view the exercise. In FIG. 10, a user is performing a reverse dip exercise on the dip bar assembly 300. In FIG. 11, a user is performing an Australian pullup on the dip bar assembly 300 using the rotating handles 500. In this example, the fitness trainer has oriented the exercise assembly 100 such that bar assembly 200 and dip bar assembly 300 have been rotated downward from vertical. In this orientation, the trainer can perform a reverse pushup (Australian pullup) to work different muscles than can be achieved with a conventional pullup/chin-up bar.

FIGS. 9 through 11 are merely example orientations of the exercise assembly 100 to perform exercises other than standard pull-ups or chin-ups. It would be evident to one or skill in the art to re-position bar assembly 200 and/or dip bar assembly 300 to perform exercises other than shown in FIGS. 9-11.

The example embodiments being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as departure from the embodiments of the present invention. All such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the following claims.

Claims

1. An exercise assembly, comprising:

a pivotable bar assembly extending through a frame, the bar assembly having a central bar connected between first ends of a pair of swings arms, with second ends of the swing arms pivotably connected to facing surfaces of the frame,

a dip bar assembly extending across a front side of the frame, the dip bar assembly including a main tube with a pair of handles extending outward from the main tube and resting on the central bar, each handle including an angled portion connected to the main tube, the angled portion including an integral support on an underside thereof that rests over a portion of the central bar.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the main tube is secured between a pair of stub tubes, each stub tube terminating within a bumper that engages a surface of the frame.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein each stub tube includes a bracket thereon for supporting a corresponding swing arm therein so that the swing arms are angled outward toward the dip bar assembly.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the width of the bar assembly and the dip bar assembly is adjustable.

5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein a width between the handles is adjustable along the main tube.

6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the central bar is secured between a pair of end stubs, each end stub connected to a swing arm second end.

7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein

each swing arm includes a side strut securely connected at its first end to a pivot pin and to a corresponding end stub at its second end, the side strut second end including a slotted aperture receiving the pivot pin therein, and

the interconnected central bar between swing arms is configured to be selectively rotated from a horizontal plane between the frame to another position away from the frame via the pivot pins.

8. (canceled)

9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein each handle includes a grip end integral with the angled portion and horizontally oriented to permit a dip exercise.

10. The assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the central bar and handle include an over-mold material thereon to provide a non-slip surface.

11. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a rotatable handle assembly that is removably attached to one of the central bar and the handles.

12. The assembly of claim 1, wherein a user can position the central bar and dip bar assembly so as to perform one or more of a pullup, chin-up, dip, reverse dip, inverted pushup and standing row exercise.

13. An exercise assembly, comprising;

a bar assembly attached to a frame and configured to be pivoted at one end so as to extend outward through the frame, and

a dip bar assembly extending across a front side of the frame and including a pair of handles extending outward from a main tube of the dip bar assembly and resting on the bar assembly, each handle including an angled portion connected to the main tube, the angled portion including an integral support on an underside thereof that rests over a portion of the bar assembly.

14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the main tube is secured between a pair of stub tubes, each stub including a bracket thereon for supporting a corresponding swing arm of the bar assembly so that the swing arms are angled outward toward the dip bar assembly.

15. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the width of the bar assembly and the dip bar assembly is adjustable.

16. The assembly of claim 13, wherein a width between the handles is adjustable.

17. The assembly of claim 13, wherein each handle includes

a grip end integral with the angled portion and horizontally oriented to permit a dip exercise.

18. The assembly of claim 13, further comprising a rotatable handle assembly that is removably attached to one of the bar assembly and handle.

19. The assembly of claim 18, wherein the handle assembly includes:

a J-shaped hook for placement on one of the bar assembly and handle, a curved portion of the J-hook adapted to grasp the bar assembly or handle,

a rotation assembly fixed to the hook, and

a handle attached to the rotation assembly, the rotation assembly enabling the handle to be rotated 360 degrees around a vertical axis of the J-hook that is perpendicular to the bar assembly or handle during exercise.

20. A dip bar assembly for placement against a frame, comprising:

a pair of end stubs,

a main tube secured between the end stubs, with ends of the end stubs terminating in bumpers that engage a front surface of the frame, each end stub including a bracket for supporting a swing arm of a pivotable bar assembly therein so that the swing arms are angled outward from the frame toward the dip bar assembly, and

a pair of handles extending outward from the main tube, each handle including an angled portion connected to the main tube, the angled portion including an integral support on an underside thereof that rests over a portion of the bar assembly.

21. The assembly of claim 20, wherein each handle includes

a grip end integral with the angled portion and horizontally oriented to permit a dip exercise.

22. The assembly of claim 20, wherein a width between the handles is adjustable along the main tube.

23. The assembly of claim 20, further comprising a rotatable handle assembly that is removably attached to one of the bar assembly and handle.

24. An exercise assembly, comprising;

a bar assembly pivotably attached to a frame so that it can pivot back and forth through an opening in the frame,

a dip bar assembly extending across one side of the frame and including a pair of handles extending outward therefrom, and

a rotatable handle assembly removably attached to one of the bar assembly and handle, the rotatable assembly further comprising: a J-shaped hook for placement on one of the bar assembly and handle, a curved portion of the J-hook adapted to grasp the bar assembly or handle, a rotation assembly fixed to the hook, and a handle attached to the rotation assembly, the rotation assembly enabling the handle to be rotated 360 degrees around a vertical axis of the J-hook that is perpendicular to the bar assembly or handle during exercise.