Modular adjustable frame

Abstract

A modular adjustable frame can be used to construct a tower to support various obstacles, challenges for providing exercise for muscle building or preparing for competition in such events as provided by American Ninja Warrior. The adjustable frame is provided with quick-connect/disconnect attachment means to afford rapid set up, change out and teardown.

Description

This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/852,977 filed May 26, 2019, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to the field of preparedness training equipment. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a modular adjustable frame capable of changing degree of difficulty of the attached obstacles and size of the supporting tower to accommodate the growth of a child.

Exercise in general, has become increasingly popular as a means of keeping fit and/or, in conjunction with restricted dietary regimen, as a means to regain enhanced fitness. Fanning the flame of fitness is the popularity of the Ninja Warrior competitions, particularly American Ninja Warrior and similar broadcasts. Some prospective contestants wish to mimic the types of equipment used on the program as part of a rigorous workout to prepare for competition while a larger number of viewers simply want to see if they can “compete” vicariously by beating the time of one of their favorite participants in some component of the competition.

It is among the objects of the present invention to provide a collapsible, easily erected modular adjustable frame that can be set up virtually anywhere and adjusted to accommodate growth of a teen or youth and further modified to increase the level of difficulty to challenge the participant as their level of competency grows. The elements of the frame used to construct towers with obstacles, as well as the obstacles themselves can be assembled/disassembled easily to enable different obstacles/exercise regimen to be erected, as well as the tower to be collapsed for the day.

The present invention includes a modular adjustable frame comprising a) a first plurality of frame sections; b) attachment means for securing pairs of adjacent frame sections of the first plurality of frame sections together; c) cross beams interconnected to certain frame sections to form a tower; d) first connection means formed on at least a portion of a periphery of each of the plurality of frame sections; e) a second connection means configured to interdigitate with said first connection means to permit quick-connect and disconnect to and from the modular adjustable frame.

Various other features, advantages, and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent after a reading of the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiment(s) of the present invention is/are described in conjunction with the associated drawings in which like features are indicated with like reference numerals and in which

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a first embodiment of the modular adjustable frame of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a front view of the modular adjustable frame configured to facilitate a first type of competition;

FIG. 2B is a side view of the modular adjustable frame configured as in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3 is is a front perspective view of the modular adjustable frame configured to facilitate a second form of competition;

FIG. 4A is a side perspective view depicting a detail of an accessory for use with the present invention;

FIG. 4B is a side view of a form of reinforcement utilized in constructing the modular tower Of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective front view of a third form of competitive apparatus that can be constructed with the present apparatus;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a fourth form of competitive apparatus that can be set up using the present apparatus;

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of adaptive structure of which the present invention is capable.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

A first embodiment of the modular adjustable frame of the present invention is depicted in FIG. 1 generally at 20. The frame 20 from which towers and obstacles are built include a plurality of sections 22, 24 that are connected using an angle iron insert 26 that telescopes into ends 23, 25 of the sections 22, 24. Bolts and nuts (not shown) can be used to secure the insert 26 in sections 22, 24. The insert can be attached to allow the ends 23, 25 of sections 22, 24 to abut or can be extended to elongate the frame 20. Teardrop slots 28 can be one form of a quick-connect attachment used to allow connection of crossbeams 30 and various obstacles and exercise elements to be easily attached to the tower. It will be appreciated that other forms of quick-connect attachment means can be used alternatively without departing from the scope of the invention.

FIG. 2A, 2B depict a first obstacle which the modular adjustable frame 20 can be used to construct. Shown here is a salmon ladder having protruding finger hooks 40 extending outwardly from the frame sections 22. In use, a pair of parallel set of frames 20 will afford pairs of hooks 40 that can be engaged by hand held bars (not shown) that allow a participant to alternatively climb her'his way up the tower.

FIG. 3 depicts a second obstacle comprised of a climbing wall 50 equipped with a plurality of cups 52 that form hand/footholds to permit scaling the tower. FIG. 4A shows an accessory in the form of an outrigger 70 used to stabilize the tower by attaching the outrigger 70 to the frame section 22 and a board 11 or similar structure spaced from the frame 22 to triangulate for stability. FIG. 4B depicts a triangular brace 72 affixed to frame 22 to stabilize the structure being build and minimize it s flexing and undesired movement.

FIG. 5 depicts a third exercise formation comprising a rope 80 for climbing. Most preferably, crossbeam 30 extends between a pair of frame sections 22 (one shown) to provide a strong resistance/support for the climber's weight. FIG. 6 shows yet an additional challenge/obstacle n the form of a plurality of pegs 90 that a contestant/user will use to do hand-over-hand traversing in the manner of a jungle gym. FIG. 7 depicts the use of additional section 22′ used to build the tower higher to accommodate additional grown in the user's physical development of expertise.

Events can be prepped for including a. Salmon Ladder, b. Hanging globes/nunchucks, c. Rock climbing wall, d. 1″ ledge cliffhanger, e. Peg in hole, f. Floating boards, g. Climbing rope, h. Gymnastics rings and a variety of others, as the apparatus of the present invention is highly adaptable.

Various changes, alternatives, and modifications will become apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art after a reading of the foregoing specification. It is intended that all such changes, alternatives, and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims be considered part of the present invention.

Claims

1. A modular adjustable frame comprising

a) a first plurality of frame sections;

b) attachment means for securing pairs of adjacent frame sections of said first plurality of frame sections together;

c) cross beams interconnected to certain frame sections to form a tower;

d) first connection means formed on at least a portion of a periphery of each of said plurality of frame sections;

e) a second connection means configured to interdigitate with said first connection means to permit quick-connect and disconnect to and from said modular adjustable frame.