Portable Universal Gym System

Abstract

A portable universal gym is compact and easily stowed in a portable case. The framework is designed to breakdown into easily stowable components. When assembled, the framework may be secured to a stable device, such as, by way of example, the trailer hitch of a typical truck or similar vehicle, permitting the system to be used anywhere whether or not rigid and stable support members are available. The universal gym includes an integrated resistance training system. Various exercise implements may be used in connection with the universal gym system in order to increase versatility. These include but are not limited to: a basketball backboard and basket; a treadmill; an exercise bike; a punching bag; a bench for supporting bends, squats and dips.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application incorporates by reference all of my co-pending application Ser. No.: 13/774,360, entitled: Nested Weight Plates for Barbells and Dumbbells, filed on Feb. 22, 2013.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a universal gym and is specifically directed to a universal gym which is in a kit form and is portable for storage and mobility.

2. Discussion of the Prior Art

Universal gyms have been available for a number of years and permit an individual to perform a wide variety of fitness routines using a single framework, typically with a controlled resistance system which can be utilized with the variety of fitness routines. Most universal gyms permit fitness training of arms, legs, back, abdomen and general exercise utilizing the universal frame with various attachments or implements.

Current interest in personal health and physical fitness has helped create a strong demand for compact, sturdy exercise equipment capable of allowing users to perform the wide range of exercises considered essential in a complete fitness program. A number of exercise devices have been previously developed which attempt to meet this need. However, most such devices are either too cumbersome for practical use and storage or are too limited in the variety of exercises they allow a user to perform. Additionally, many of these devices lack the sturdiness and durability required for serious long-term usage.

LaLanne U.S. Pat. No. 2,647,209 discloses a multi-purpose device featuring a frame supported cable which facilitates the lifting of a selectable number of weight plates contained within the frame.

Nist U.S. Pat. No. 3,734,495, discloses a similar device designed especially for exercising the lower extremities.

Uyeda U.S. Pat. No. 4,317,566, features a vertical column guide which allows users to lift weight plates via a carriage to which is attached an extended lifting arm.

Cheng U.S. Patent No. 5,653,669 describes a universal gym having a frame assembly, a resistance means, and a plurality of exercising assemblies including an arm exercising assembly, a chest exercising assembly, and a leg exercising assembly. The frame assembly comprises a lower subframe, two spaced vertical beams projecting upwardly from the lower subframe, and an upper subframe securely mounted to tops of the vertical beams. An inclined board is mounted between the lower subframe and the upper subframe, and a seat is fixedly attached to a lower section of the inclined board.

Lighter U.S. Pat. No. 4,911,436 discloses a pneumatic home fitness center embodying a pivotal lever arm with air cylinders to provide a gradual and progressive resistance to movement of the lever arm combined with control arrangements to enable both anaerobic and aerobic exercise techniques to be practiced.

Colledge U.S. Pat No. 4,856,775 discloses an exercise device consisting of a case comprised of two similarly constructed halves, within which are contained all the components for assembling the various embodiments of the apparatus. The two halves of the case are removably connected. Upon opening the case and separating the halves, they can be rigidly reconnected to form a ground-supported exercise platform.

Lloyd, U.S. Pat. No. 3,664,666, provides a portable case which folds out into an exercise board. Spring-loaded cables, located within the case, allow the performance of various exercises of the upper and lower extremities. Underhill, U.S. Pat. No. 3,226,115, and Miller, U.S. Pat. No. 481,730, demonstrate similar portability. However, none of these devices allow the user to perform a full complement of exercises. Additionally, both the Underhill and the Miller devices require them to be attached to a wall, a doorframe, or similar fixed structure for support while performing most of the exercises.

These and other similar devices do not allow users to properly exercise all major muscle groups and, because of their need to contain a mass of weight plates within their framework, are too cumbersome to allow true portability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The subject invention is directed to a portable universal gym which is compact and easily stowed in a portable case. The framework is designed to breakdown into easily stowable components. When assembled, the framework may be secured to a stable device, such as, by way of example, the trailer hitch of a typical truck or similar vehicle, permitting the system to be used anywhere whether or not rigid and stable support members are available.

In its preferred form the universal gym system of the present invention is an upright support standard which when assembled is approximately seven or eight feet in height. The height is arbitrary, but seven or eight feet permit the support of maximum fitness routines. The support standard breaks down into two half sections of approximately equal length and is adapted to be assembled using a coupling collar. A support coupler is mounted on the standard and secured in the typical socket of a standard trailer hitch to provide stability.

Horizontal or lateral supports, approximately half the length of the assembled upright support, are secured to the top and bottom of the upright to support the various exercise implements. A pulley and cable system is mounted in the lateral supports to provide a resistance function. A weight plate may be secured to the cable system to provide support for typical exercise weights for controlling the resistance function. Stabilizer slides are also supported by the lateral supports for providing smooth movement of the weight plate during exercise routines. A typical exercise bar is provided for performing certain exercises as is well known. The exercise bar may also be broken into stowable halves.

The universal gym system may be stowed in a suitable case typically about four feet by four feet square, or less. This makes the system very portable. Depending on choice of materials, the system weighs as little as fifty or sixty pounds.

The weights are also readily stowable and can be used on the weight plate to control resistance. A typical stowable weight plate system is shown and described in my co-pending application Ser. No.: 13/774,360, entitled: Nested Weight Plates for Barbells and Dumbbells, filed on Feb. 22, 2013.

Various exercise implements may be used in connection with the universal gym system in order to increase versatility. These include but are not limited to: a basketball backboard and basket; a treadmill; an exercise bike; a punching bag; a bench for supporting bends, squats and dips.

In summary, the subject invention provides a durable, portable universal gym system and frame for supporting multiple fitness routines, permitting maximum portability and stowability.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view of the universal gym system broken down into components for storage in a portable case.

FIG. 2 is a view of the case when closed for storage or transport.

FIG. 3 is a view of the nested weight plates as described in my aforementioned co-pending application.

FIGS. 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d are exploded views showing the universal gym system in position for assembly and for mounting on a typical trailer hitch.

FIG. 5 is a view of the assembled and mounted universal gym system.

FIG. 6 shows a configuration for mounting a basketball backboard and basket.

FIG. 7 shows a configuration for mounting a punching bag.

FIG. 8 shows a configuration for mounting a treadmill.

FIG. 9 shows a configuration for mounting an exercise bike.

FIG. 10 shows a configuration for supporting a portable bench and bar for bends, squats and dips.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

The universal gym system is shown in stowed condition in FIGS. 1 and 2 and as assembled in FIGS. 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d and 5. The companion nested weight system described in my aforementioned co-pending application Ser. No.: 13/774,360 is shown in FIG. 3. That application is incorporated by reference herein.

With specific reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 4a, 4b and 5, the system is designed to be stowed in a carrying case 10 suitably designed to stow all of the components of the universal gym system, as shown in FIG. 2. Typically, the carrying case will have hinged halves 16 and 18, hinged for folding at hinges 12, with a carrying handle or handles 14.

Any suitable weight system may be used with the universal gym of the present invention. However, a convenient weight system is the stowable nested weights 20 adapted to be stowed in a case 22, as shown in FIG. 3 and as described in my aforementioned co-pending application Ser. No.: 13/774,360.

The components of the universal gym system are shown in stowed condition in FIG. 1, in exploded views 4a and 4b, and in final assembly in FIG. 5. In the preferred embodiment the universal gym system is adapted to be supported by a typical trailer hitch 30 or the like.

In the process of assembling the system the lower lateral support 32 is placed on the ground. The first upright support 33 has a lower end 34 which is placed in the receptive socket 36 in the lower lateral support. As best seen in FIG. 5, the upright support 33 is passed through the mounting bracket 38 on the trailer hitch mount 30 and has an upper end 40 which extends through the hitch mount bracket 38. A coupler 42 receives the upper end 40 and the lower end 46 of the second upright support 44. This provides the upright or vertical support structure for the system. The second upright support 44 has an upper end 48. The second lateral support 50 has a socket 52 which is adapted to receive the upper end of 48 of the support 44.

Four stabilizer or guide rod, or slide, sections 54, 56, 58 and 60 are provided and may be assembled into two identical pairs as shown in FIG. 5. The ends of the slides are secured in receptive sockets 62, 64, 66 and 68, respectively (FIG. 4a), for provide a guide rail/slide for the weight plate 70. Typically, the weight plate is placed on the lower sections 56 and 60 before the upper sections 54 and 58 are assembled thereto. The weight plate 70 includes an upright post 72 adapted for receiving the weights 20 and a hoop connector 74 for attaching the cables, as will be explained.

This assembly provides the basic support frame and weight guide system for the system.

In the preferred embodiment the lower lateral support 32 includes two pulley wheels 76, 78. The upper lateral support 50 includes five pulley wheels 80, 82, 84, 86 and 88. Two cable sets 90 and 92 are provided with the system. Cable 90 has one end attached to the weight plate hoop 74 and is fed up and over pulleys 80 and 82 the downward and down and around pulleys 76 and 78 for permitting upward motion resistance exercises by pulling on cable ring handle 96. Cable 92 has one end attached to the weight plate hoop 74 and is fed up and around pulley wheels 84 and 86 and through the space between pulley wheel 86 and pulley wheel 88 with a downward distending end terminating in ring handle 98. This permits downward motion resistance exercises by pulling on cable ring 98.

FIGS. 4b and 4c illustrate the stabilizer rods 54, 56, 58 and 60 in the disassembled and assembled configurations, respectively. As there shown each of the lower rods 56 and 60 have a pin 102 which is adapted to be received in the socket 100 provided in each upper rod 54 and 58. In assembly, the lower rods are positioned in the receptive sockets 60 and 62 in the lower lateral support 32. The weight plate 70 includes two through holes 104, 106 adapted for slidably receiving the stabilizer rods. Once the weight plate is in place the upper rods are mounted on the respective pins. The upper lateral support 50 is then place in position on the vertical support 44 and the upper end of the stabilizer rods is received in the receptive sockets 66 and 68. The cables are then fed through the various pulleys, as described.

The weight plate 70 includes a center post 72 (See FIG. 4d). As best shown in FIG. 5, the post 72 includes a through hole 110 for receiving a lock pin 112. When weights 20 are added or subtracted from the system the weight plate is typically lowered to the base of the system. This can be directly on lower lateral support 32 or on shock absorbers 114, 116 which may be mounted on the lower ends of the stabilizer rods. The cables 90, 92 are disconnected from weight plate hoop 74 and the weights may be placed over the post. The locking pin 112 is then put in place in hole 110 for stabilizing and locking the plates in place. The cables 90, 92 are then reattached to the weight plate hoop 74 and the system is fully assembled for resistance fitness routines.

When disassembled the system can be stowed in the case 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. All of the system components as shown and described in FIGS. 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d and 5 are designed to fit within the case. The holes 120 provided in the vertical upright members 32 and 34 and the coupler 42 provide several purposes. First, they reduce the weight of the overall system. In addition, they provide means by which locking pins may be employed to stabilize the assembly, where desired. Finally, they provide mounting holes for supporting various additional accessories.

In addition to the weight plates 20 which are typically utilized in resistance training, several other accessories may be used with the system and may be mounted directly on the assembly shown in FIGS. 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d and 5. FIG. 6 illustrates a basketball backboard 130 and basket 132 attached to the outer end 134 of the upper lateral support 50. The backboard may be mounted on the support in any suitable manner. FIG. 7 illustrates a punching bag 136 mounted on the outer end 134 of the upper lateral support 50. The punching bag 136 may be mounted on the support in any suitable manner.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate how a treadmill 138 and an exercise bike 140 may be mounted on the system. For these types of accessories the accessory is mounted on the vertical support by placing one or more mounting pins 142 in the appropriate clearance hole 120 in the vertical support. As shown in FIG. 8, electrical components 144 may be attached directly to the accessory and powered by an integral battery system, or as shown in FIG. 8, connected to the support system electrical system, such as, by way of example, connecting the electrical cable 146 directly to the power circuitry 148 of the supporting vehicle.

FIG. 10 illustrates how a foldable bench 150 may be mounted on the vertical support using mounting holes 120 and a locking or mounting pin 142. A rack 152 is also mounted in a suitable mounting hole using a mounting pin 142. A bar 154 may be inserted in any of the holes 156 in the rack for supporting bends, squats and dips performed on the bench 150. The exercise bar 154 comprises two assembled halves 156, 158, which when disassembled may be readily stowed in case 10 (FIG. 1).

Various other accessories may be mounted on the support structure at the option of the user.

While certain features of the invention have been described in detail herein, it should be understood that the invention encompasses all modifications and enhancements within the scope and spirit of the following claims.

Claims

1. A portable, stowable universal gym system comprising:

a. A case;

b. A vertical support member made of multiple sections which can be broken into the separate sections and stored in the case and assembled into a single support member when removed from the case and assembled;

c. At least one lateral support member adapted to fit in the case and further adapted to be mounted on the support member when the support member is assembled;

d. A slide rail made of multiple sections which can be broken into separate sections and stored in the case and assembled into a single slide rail coexistant with the assembled support member and secured to the at least one lateral support;

e. A weight platform mounted for sliding movement on the slide rail;

f. At least once cable having one end secured to the weight platform and the other end passing through the at least one lateral support member, whereby the weight platform may be moved along the slide rail by pulling and releasing the said other end of the cable.

2. The universal gym system of claim 1, further including a coupler carried in the case and adapted for securing the multiple sections of the vertical support member to one another.

3. The universal gym system of claim 1, further including a securing element carried in the case and adapted for securing the vertical support member to a stabilizing structure.

4. The universal gym system of claim 1 wherein the stabilizing structure is a vehicle having a standard trailer hitch assembly with a socket for receiving an insert, the securing element having one end adapted to mounted on the vertical support member and another end adapted to be received in the trailer hitch assembly socket.

5. The universal gym system of claim 1, further including at least one additional slide rail made of multiple sections which can be broken into separate sections and stored in the case and assembled into a single slide rail coexistant with the assembled support member, and coexistant with and parallel to the at least one slide rail and secured to the at least one lateral support.

6. The universal gym system of claim 1, further including an additional lateral support member adapted to fit in the case and further adapted to be mounted on the support member when the support member is assembled with the at least one additional support member adapted to be mounted on the top of the vertical support member and the additional lateral support member adapted to be mounted on the bottom of the support member.

7. The universal gym system of claim 1, further including a pulley wheel system in the at least one lateral support member for receiving the at least one cable.

8. The universal gym system of claim 6, further including at least one additional cable having one end secured to the weight platform and the other end passing through the at additional lateral support member, whereby the weight platform may be moved along the slide rail by pulling and releasing the said other end of the at least one additional cable.

9. The universal gym system of claim 1, further including a pulley wheel system in the additional lateral support member for receiving the additional cable.

10. The universal gym system of claim 1, further including a basketball backboard attached to the at least one lateral support.

11. The universal gym system of claim 1, further including at least one exercise device attached to the vertical support.

12. A portable, stowable universal gym system comprising:

g. A case;

h. A vertical support member made of multiple sections which can be broken into the separate sections and stored in the case and assembled into a single support member when removed from the case and assembled;

i. A coupler carried in the case and adapted for securing the multiple sections of the vertical support member to one another.

j. A securing element carried in the case and adapted for securing the vertical support member to a stabilizing structure

k. At least one exercise device attached to the vertical support.

13. The universal gym system of claim 12, further including:

a. At least one lateral support member adapted to fit in the case and further adapted to be mounted on the support member when the support member is assembled;

b. A slide rail made of multiple sections which can be broken into separate sections and stored in the case and assembled into a single slide rail coexistant with the assembled support member and secured to the at least one lateral support;

c. A weight platform mounted for sliding movement on the slide rail;

d. At least once cable having one end secured to the weight platform and the other end passing through the at least one lateral support member, whereby the weight platform may be moved along the slide rail by pulling and releasing the said other end of the cable.

14. The universal gym system of claim 13, The universal gym system of claim 1, further including a coupler carried in the case and adapted for securing the multiple sections of the vertical support member to one another.

15. The universal gym system of claim 13, further including a securing element carried in the case and adapted for securing the vertical support member to a stabilizing structure.

16. The universal gym system of claim 13, wherein the stabilizing structure is a vehicle having a standard trailer hitch assembly with a socket for receiving an insert, the securing element having one end adapted to mounted on the vertical support member and another end adapted to be received in the trailer hitch assembly socket.

17. The universal gym system of claim 13, further including at least one additional slide rail made of multiple sections which can be broken into separate sections and stored in the case and assembled into a single slide rail coexistant with the assembled support member, and coexistant with and parallel to the at least one slide rail and secured to the at least one lateral support.

18. The universal gym system of claim 13, further including an additional lateral support member adapted to fit in the case and further adapted to be mounted on the support member when the support member is assembled with the at least one additional support member adapted to be mounted on the top of the vertical support member and the additional lateral support member adapted to be mounted on the bottom of the support member.

19. The universal gym system of claim 13, further including a pulley wheel system in the at least one lateral support member for receiving the at least one cable.

20. The universal gym system of claim 19, further including at least one additional cable having one end secured to the weight platform and the other end passing through the at additional lateral support member, whereby the weight platform may be moved along the slide rail by pulling and releasing the said other end of the at least one additional cable.

21. The universal gym system of claim 13, further including a pulley wheel system in the additional lateral support member for receiving the additional cable.

22. The universal gym system of claim 12, further including a basketball backboard attached to the at least one lateral support.

23. The universal gym system of claim 13, further including a punching bag suspended from the lateral support.

24. The universal gym system of claim 13, further including an exercise bike mounted on the vertical support.

25. The universal gym system of claim 13, further including a treadmill mounted on the vertical support.

26. The universal gym system of claim 13, further including a bends, squats and dips bench mounted on the vertical support.

27. The universal gym system of claim 1, further including at least one exercise device attached to the vertical support.