MODULAR EXERCISE PLATFORM

Abstract

A modular exercise platform and method for assembling the same. A modular exercise platform may include two short tubes arranged parallel to each other; two long tubes arranged parallel to each other and perpendicular to the two short tubes thereby defining a rectangular frame including four junctions between the two short tubes and the two long tubes; and four gussets, each arranged at one of the four junctions.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a non-provisional application of prior pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/601,207, filed Feb. 21, 2012, and entitled MODULAR EXERCISE PLATFORM, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to exercise equipment. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to a modular exercise platform.

2. Description of the Related Art

Exercise platforms are known in the prior art. Two specific examples include dead lift platforms and Olympic weightlifting platforms. A typical dead lift platform may include a frame surrounding a substrate. An athlete may stand on the substrate while performing a dead lift of a barbell. Elastic bands may be attached to dead lift platform and may pass over the barbell to provide progressive resistance in addition to the weight of the barbell. A typical Olympic weightlifting platform may include a frame surrounding a substrate. An athlete may stand on the substrate while performing a variety of weight lifting exercises.

It is desirable to provide an improved exercise platform.

SUMMARY

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a modular exercise platform may be provided. The modular exercise platform may include two short tubes arranged parallel to each other; two long tubes arranged parallel to each other and perpendicular to the two short tubes thereby defining a rectangular frame including four junctions between the two short tubes and the two long tubes; and four gussets, each arranged at one of the four junctions.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a modular exercise platform may be provided. The modular exercise platform may include two short tubes arranged parallel to each other; two long tubes arranged parallel to each other and perpendicular to the two short tubes thereby defining a rectangular frame including four junctions between the two short tubes and the two long tubes; and four gussets, each arranged at one of the four junctions. Each of the four gussets may include a top member, a first side member, and a second side member. The modular exercise platform may further include a plurality of floor plates parallel to and between the two short tubes. The ends of the plurality of floor plates extend into floor plate slots of the two long tubes. The modular exercise platform may further include a plurality of substrate inserts inserted into the rectangular frame. The two long tubes and the two short tubes may be bolted to the four gussets.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method of assembling a modular exercise platform may be provided. The method may include arranging two short tubes parallel next to one another; arranging two long tubes perpendicular to the short tubes; abutting the two long tubes against the two short tubes thereby creating four junctions of the two short tubes and the two long tubes; and at each of the four junctions of the two short tubes and the two long tubes, attaching a gusset to an end of one of the short tubes and an end of one of the long tubes. The two short tubes and the two long tubes define a frame.

The foregoing and other aspects will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-3 are schematic representations of a modular exercise platform according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a top of one of the long tubes of the modular exercise platform of FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a side of the long tube of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of a top of one of the short tubes of the modular exercise platform of FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of a side of the short tube of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of one of the gussets of the modular exercise platform of FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of an end of a long tube as connected to an end of a short tube by a gusset.

FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of one of the floor plates of the modular exercise platform of FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of one of the band hooks of the modular exercise platform of FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 12 is a schematic representation of a band plate.

FIG. 13 is a schematic representation of one of the floor clips of the modular exercise platform of FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 14 is a schematic representation of the center and side inserts of the modular exercise platform of FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIGS. 15-19 are schematic representations of an exemplary method of assembling the modular exercise platform of FIGS. 1-3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the like elements throughout. The embodiments are described below to explain the present invention by referring to the figures.

As used in the description of this application, the terms “a”, “an” and “the” may refer to one or more than one of an element (e.g., item or act). Similarly, a particular quantity of an element may be described or shown while the actual quantity of the element may differ. The terms “and” and “or” may be used in the conjunctive or disjunctive sense and will generally be understood to be equivalent to “and/or”. Elements from an embodiment may be combined with elements of another. No element used in the description of this application should be construed as critical or essential to the invention unless explicitly described as such. Further, when an element is described as “connected,” “coupled,” or otherwise linked to another element, it may be directly linked to the other element, or intervening elements may be present.

An embodiment of the present invention may provide a modular exercise platform. The component pieces of the exercise platform may be easily assembled such as by bolting the pieces together. Features such as dead lift bands may be easily attached to a frame of the modular exercise platform. Accordingly, different platform configurations may be possible. Further, the component pieces of the modular exercise platform may be easily and more cost effectively manufactured, handled, shipped, and assembled.

FIGS. 1-3 are schematic representations of a modular exercise platform 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The modular exercise platform 100 may include a frame 102 surrounding a substrate 104 (partially shown in FIG. 2). The modular exercise platform may be a deadlift platform.

The frame 102 may include two long tubes 106 opposite to one another and two short tubes 108 opposite to one another. An end of a long tube 106 may be connected to an end of short tube 108 by a gusset 110. The long and short tubes 106, 108 may be connected via gussets 110 to form a rectangular shape. An interior of the rectangular shape defined by the frame 102 may receive the substrate 104.

The long and short tubes 106, 108 may rectangular tubes each having a top, bottom, and sides. FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a top of one of the long tubes 106 of the modular exercise platform of FIGS. 1-3. FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a side of the long tube 106 of FIG. 4. The top of the long tube 106 may be solid. The side of the long tube 106 may include gusset holes 116 and band hook holes 118. The side of the long tube 106 may include floor plate slots 134.

FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of a top of one of the short tubes 108 of the modular exercise platform of FIGS. 1-3. FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of a side of the short tube 108 of FIG. 6. The top of the short tube 108 may be solid. The sides of the short tube 108 may include gusset holes 116.

The gusset holes 116 and band hook holes 118 of the long and short tubes 106, 108 may be square to receive a carriage bolt shoulder. By using carriage bolts inserted from the inside of the frame 102, protrusions from the inside of the frame 102 may be minimized thereby minimizing interference with the substrate 104.

FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of one of the gussets 110 of the modular exercise platform of FIGS. 1-3. The gusset 110 includes a first side member 120, a second side member 122, and a top member 124. The gusset 110 may be formed of a single piece of steel and the first and second side members 120 and 122 may be bent downward relative to the top member 124. The first and second side members 120 and 122 may be welded along a seam 126 between the first and second side members 120 and 122. The first side member 120 and the second side member 122 may each include a tube hole 128. The tube holes 128 may be round to each receive a threaded end of a carriage bolt.

FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of an end of a long tube 106 as connected to an end of a short tube 108 by a gusset 110. The end of the long tube 106 may abut a second side member 122 of the gusset 110. In contrast, the end of the short tube 108 may abut the long tube 106. Carriage bolts 130 may go into gusset holes 116 of the long and short tubes 106, 108, through the long and short tubes 106, 108, and out through tube holes 128 of the gusset 110. Washers and nuts 132 may connect to the threaded ends of the carriage bolts 130 to connect the end of the long tube 106, the end of the short tube 108, and the gusset 110. The gusset 110 also may cover the joint of the long and short tubes 108 and also may help to trap the substrate.

The frame 102 may include two floor plates 112. The floor plates 112 may be parallel to the short tubes 108 and perpendicular to the long tubes 106. Ends of each floor plate 112 may be inserted into the floor plate slots 134 of the long tubes 106. Because floor plate slots 134 may be located at a bottom of a side of the long tubes 106, the floor plates 112 may abut a flooring surface and the substrate 104 may be mounted within the frame 102. A portion of the substrate 104 may be positioned in a plane similar to the floor plates 112 and another portion of the substrate 104 above the floor plates 112. FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of one of the floor plates 112 of the modular exercise platform of FIGS. 2 and 3. The floor plate 112 may include floor plate holes 136. Fastening members such as bolts or anchors may pass through floor plate holes 136 up from the flooring surface or down through the flooring surface and may connect the modular exercise platform 100 to the flooring surface. In alternative embodiments, different numbers of floor plates may be provided.

The frame 102 may include band hooks 114. The band hooks 114 may be connected to the long tubes 106. FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of one of the band hooks 114 of the modular exercise platform of FIGS. 1-3. The band hook 114 may include a band plate 138 and a band peg 140. The band peg 140 may be welded a top of the band plate 138. FIG. 12 is a schematic representation of a band plate 138. The band plate 138 may include band plate holes 142. The band plate holes 142 may be round to each receive a threaded end of a carriage bolt. Carriage bolts may go into band hook holes 118, through the long tubes 108, and out through the band plate holes 142. Nuts may connect to the threaded ends of the carriage bolts to connect the band hooks 114 to the long tubes 108.

Floor clips 144 may be used to connect the modular exercise platform 100 to the flooring surface. FIG. 13 is a schematic representation of one of the floor clips 144 of the modular exercise platform of FIGS. 1-3. The floor clip 144 may include a top member 146, a side member 148, and a bottom member 150. The bottom member 150 may include a clip hole 152. When installed, the top member 146 and side member 148 of the floor clip 144 may abut the top member and side member of the long or short tubes 106, 108. A fastening member such as a bolt or anchor may pass through clip hole 152 up from the flooring surface or down through the flooring surface and may connect the modular exercise platform 100 to the flooring surface. The floor clip 144 may not need to be welded to the long and short tubes 106, 108 but rather may be held in place by the fastening member passing through the clip hole 152 and by virtue of other floor clips 144 installed at different positions on the frame 102.

The substrate 104 may be formed of a combination of rubber and wood. Specifically, the substrate 104 may include a wood layer and a rubber layer. The wood layer may include a center insert 156 and two side inserts 154. FIG. 14 is a schematic representation of the center and side inserts 156 and 154 of the modular exercise platform of FIGS. 2 and 3. The rubber layer may include rubber inserts (e.g., tiles) that may be placed over the wood layer and the floor plates 112 and may be sized similarly or differently from the center insert 156 and the two side inserts 154. All or part of the substrate 104 may be provided with the modular exercise platform 100 or may be athlete or installer provided. In alternative embodiments, the substrate may be all wood or all rubber, depending on athlete or installer preference. Further, different quantity and size combinations of layers may be provided.

Other than the substrate, all or part of the remaining modular exercise platform 100 may be formed of metal. For example, the long and short tubes 106, 108 may be formed of laser cut flat steel that may be bent into a desired shape. However, the invention is not so limited. For example, in an alternative embodiment, all or part of the substrate may be formed of metal. In another alternative embodiment, all or part of the modular squat stand system may be formed of alternative materials.

FIGS. 15-19 are schematic representations of an exemplary method of assembling the modular exercise platform of FIGS. 1-3. In a frame assembly operation, short tubes 108 and floor plates 112 may be arranged parallel next to one another as shown in FIG. 15. The long tubes 106 may be arranged perpendicular to the floor plates 112 and the short tubes 108 to start to form a rectangular shape. As the long tubes 106 are brought closer together, ends of the floor plates 112 may be inserted into the floor plate slots 134 of the long tubes 106. Upon bringing the long tubes 106 against the short tubes 108, both ends of each floor plate 112 may be secured within the floor plate slots 134 and the rectangular shape may be completed.

FIG. 16 is a schematic representation of a gusset attachment operation. The end of short tube 108 may abut the end of the long tube 106 (as shown in FIG. 15). The gusset 110 may be placed over the ends of the short and long tubes 108, 106. Gusset holes 116 (FIG. 15) of the long and short tubes 106, 108 may be aligned with tube holes 128 of the gusset 110. Carriage bolts 130 may be inserted into gusset holes 116 of the long and short tubes 106, 108. Carriage bolts 130 may go through the long and short tubes 106, 108, through gusset holes 116, and out through tube holes 128 of the gusset 110. Washers and nuts 132 may be placed on and be connected to the threaded ends of the carriage bolts 130 to connect the end of the long tube 108, the end of the short tube 108, and the gusset 110.

FIG. 17 is a schematic representation of a band hook attachment operation. Band plate holes 142 of band plate 138 may be aligned with band hook holes 118 of the long tubes 106. Carriage bolts may be inserted into the gusset holes of the long and short tubes 106, 108. Carriage bolts may go through the long and short tubes 106, 108, through gusset holes 116, and out through band plate holes 142 of band plate 138. Washers and nuts may be placed on and be connected to the threaded ends of the carriage bolts 130 to connect the band hooks 114 to the long tubes 108.

FIG. 18 is a schematic representation of a substrate insertion operation. Side inserts 154 and center insert 156 may be lowered into frame 102 and placed on a flooring surface. Floor plates 112 and short tubes 108 and a portion of long tubes 106 may surround each side insert 154. Floor plates 112 and a portion of long tubes 106 may surround the center insert 156. After the wood layer (side inserts 154, center insert 156) is inserted, the rubber layer may be inserted. Rubber inserts (e.g., tiles or a single rubber sheet) may be placed over the wood layer and the floor plates 112.

FIG. 19 is a schematic representation of a platform anchoring operation. Fastening members such as anchors or bolts may pass through floor plate holes 136 of the floor plates 136 down through the flooring surface or up from the flooring surface and may connect the modular exercise platform 100 to the flooring surface. After holes are drilled in the flooring surface, anchors may be inserted down through floor plate holes 136 and installed into the drilled holes. Alternatively, floor plate holes 136 may be aligned with bolts extending up from the flooring surface and the frame 102 may be lowered into position. In the case of bolts, washers and nuts may be placed on and connected to the threaded ends of the bolts.

Floor clips 144 may also be used to connect the modular exercise platform 100 to the flooring surface. Top and side members 146, 148 of the floor clips may be placed against top and side members of the long or short tubes 106, 108 around the outside of the frame 102. Fastening members such as anchors or bolts may pass through clip holes 152 of the bottom members 150 of the floor clips 144 down through the flooring surface or up from the flooring surface and may connect the modular exercise platform 100 to the flooring surface. After holes are drilled in the flooring surface, anchors may be inserted down through clip holes 152 and installed into the drilled holes. Alternatively, clip holes may be aligned with bolts extending up from the flooring surface and the floor clips 144 may be lowered into position. In the case of bolts, washers and nuts may be placed on and connected to the threaded ends of the bolts.

Although the modular exercise platform shown in the figures may be sized and configured as a dead lift platform, the invention is not so limited. For example, in an alternative embodiment, the length and width of the frame of the modular exercise platform may be extended by a distance (e.g., 2 feet) and certain features (e.g., band hooks 114) may not be included thereby providing an Olympic weightlifting platform. Similarly, other modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present invention. For example, although certain features are described as welded to other features, in alternative embodiments such features may not be welded or may be formed as a single feature.

Embodiments of the present invention may provide multiple advantages. For example, the modular exercise platform may be easily assembled such as by bolting the pieces together. Features such as dead lift bands may be easily attached to the frame of the modular exercise platform such that different platform configurations may be possible. Manufacture of the component pieces of the platform may be simpler and more cost efficient in that different platform configurations and sizes may require similar parts. Further, handling and shipping of the unassembled component pieces may be considerably easier and far less costly than handling and shipping of welded together or assembled platforms. Further, installation may be as simple as bolting together the platform.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A modular exercise platform, comprising:

two short tubes arranged parallel to each other;

two long tubes arranged parallel to each other and perpendicular to the two short tubes thereby defining a rectangular frame including four junctions between the two short tubes and the two long tubes; and

four gussets, each arranged at one of the four junctions.

2. The modular exercise platform of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of floor plates parallel to and between the two short tubes,

wherein ends of the plurality of floor plates extend into floor plate slots of the two long tubes.

3. The modular exercise platform of claim 1, wherein each of the four gussets comprises:

a top member;

a first side member; and

a second side member.

4. The modular exercise platform of claim 3, wherein the top member, first side member and second side member are formed of a single steel member and wherein the first side member and second side member are bent downward relative to the top member.

5. The modular exercise platform of claim 4, wherein the first side member and the second side member are welded along a seam between the first side member and the second side member.

6. The modular exercise platform of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of band hooks, wherein the plurality of the band hooks are connected to the two long tubes.

7. The modular exercise platform of claim 6, wherein each of the plurality of band hooks comprises:

a band plate; and

a band peg,

wherein the band peg is welded to the top of the band plate.

8. The modular exercise platform of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of floor clips configured to connect the rectangular frame of the modular exercise platform to a flooring surface.

9. The modular exercise platform of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of substrate inserts,

wherein the plurality of substrate inserts are inserted into the rectangular frame.

10. The modular exercise platform of claim 1, wherein the two long tubes and the two short tubes are bolted to the four gussets.

11. A modular exercise platform, comprising:

two short tubes arranged parallel to each other;

two long tubes arranged parallel to each other and perpendicular to the two short tubes thereby defining a rectangular frame including four junctions between the two short tubes and the two long tubes;

four gussets, each arranged at one of the four junctions; wherein each of the four gussets comprise a top member, a first side member, and a second side member;

a plurality of floor plates parallel to and between the two short tubes, wherein ends of the plurality of floor plates extend into floor plate slots of the two long tubes; and

a plurality of substrate inserts inserted into the rectangular frame,

wherein the two long tubes and the two short tubes are bolted to the four gussets.

12. A method of assembling a modular exercise platform, comprising:

arranging two short tubes parallel next to one another;

arranging two long tubes perpendicular to the short tubes;

abutting the two long tubes against the two short tubes thereby creating four junctions of the two short tubes and the two long tubes; and

at each of the four junctions of the two short tubes and the two long tubes, attaching a gusset to an end of one of the short tubes and an end of one of the long tubes,

wherein the two short tubes and the two long tubes define a frame.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

arranging a plurality of floor plates parallel to and between the two short tubes,

wherein the abutting of the two long tubes against the two short tubes brings ends of the plurality of floor plates into floor plate slots of the two long tubes.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the attaching of the gusset to the end of one of the short tubes and the end of one of the long tubes includes:

placing the gusset over the end of one of the short tubes and the end of one of the long tubes so that a top member of the gusset abuts a top of the short tube and a top of the long tube, a first side member of the gusset abuts a side of short tube, and a second side member of the gusset abuts a side of the long tube; and

bolting the gusset to the short tube and the long tube.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

attaching a plurality of band hooks to the two long tubes.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

inserting a plurality of substrate inserts into the frame.