| User-defined exercise apparatus -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
 
User-defined exercise apparatusRelated Patent Categories: Exercise Devices, Support For Entire Body Of User (e.g., Bench, Slant Board, Etc.)User-defined exercise apparatus description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070032357, User-defined exercise apparatus. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims priority from Provisional Patent Application No. 60/688,069 filed Jun. 7, 2005, and entitled "SUPER CELL UNIVERSALLY INTERCHANGEABLE WORKOUT STATION". BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to apparatus, including a kit of assembly parts, which enables the construction of one or more exercise workout stations, as defined and assembled by a user. [0003] There are a great many individualized pieces of fitness and exercise equipment commercially available at the present time. These pieces of equipment are normally single-purpose by design, but in some instances a plurality of such pieces of equipment are combined to form multi-purpose exercise apparatus. [0004] Such "multi-station" machines are comprised of a series of weight stacks, seats, cables, benches, bars, pulleys and the like, all configured into a preset, fixed arrangement. Although these multi-station machines offer a variety of exercise devices and permit multiple users to work out at the same time, they lack the versatility of being integrated with almost any other type of exercise equipment. Moreover, once configured at the factory, these multi-station machines are difficult, if not impossible to reconfigure, rearrange and/or expand into different or larger multi-stations. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] A principle object of the present invention is to provide apparatus which is capable of being assembled and configured into any number of strength-training, exercise systems. More particularly, the invention concerns apparatus which can be formed into one or more readily customizable, and universally interchangeable, workout stations, which can either stand on their own or be attached to existing fixtures, such as previously purchased stand-alone exercise equipment or the fixtures, walls, etc. of an exercise room. [0006] Still another object of the present invention is to provide user-defined exercise apparatus which may be configured into a multi-user workout station, as described above, which conveniently allows the attachment of a plurality of exercise devices of the same or different type while, in addition, can be used as a storage center for items normally found at a fitness center such as bands, weights, balls, bars, barbells, etc. [0007] It is a still further object of the present invention to provide apparatus which may be configured into a user defined workout station and then later either reconfigured into another workout station or expanded into a larger multi-user station. [0008] These objects, as well as further objects which will become apparent from the discussion that follows, are achieved, in accordance with the present invention, by providing a kit of parts which may be assembled and erected into exercise apparatus of various configurations, as desired and defined by the user. [0009] As a minimum, this kit comprises the following elements: [0010] (1) a plurality of frames adapted for substantially upright installation, each frame comprising two substantially identical elongate vertical members of a first prescribed length, each having two ends, which are connected together in parallel and in spaced-apart relationship by a horizontal crossbar of a second prescribed length adjacent each end, each of said vertical members having a plurality of points of attachment along its length; and [0011] (2) at least one elongate horizontal member of a third prescribed length, each horizontal member adapted for connecting a separate one of the vertical members of a first frame with a corresponding one of the vertical members of a second frame, respectively, adjacent one of the upper and lower ends of the vertical members, thereby to form a supporting cell of frames. [0012] The frames, which as a minimum have two vertical members connected in parallel relationship by the two crossbars, preferably comprise a large number of crossbars spaced equidistantly along the length of the vertical members, like rungs of a ladder to form a ladder-like structure. [0013] Preferably also, the kit comprises a plurality of such horizontal members, enabling the user to assemble and connect two or more of the frames into various self-standing structures to form the supporting cell of frames. For example, two frames and two horizontal members may be connected in a Z-shaped configuration, with one horizontal member interconnecting two vertical members (one in each frame) near the top, and the other horizontal member interconnecting the same two vertical members near the bottom. [0014] In another configuration, four horizontal members may connect two frames in a box-like or rectangular configuration to form a self-supporting cell. [0015] In still further configurations, three or more frames may be interconnected to form a self-standing cell in the shape of a triangle, a pentagon, an octagon, etc. [0016] The vertical and horizontal members included in the kit are all of a prescribed, standardized length. Advantageously, and in accordance with a further feature of the present invention, additional horizontal members may be provided that are all in a different, standardized length (either longer or shorter than the above-noted horizontal members). These additional horizontal members may be used for interconnecting frames or for connecting frames to a building structure, such as a wall. They may also be used to interconnect two or more self-supporting cells to form a larger, multi-user station. [0017] As noted above, the vertical members in each frame have a plurality of points of attachment along their length. These facilitate the removable attachment of any one of a number of exercise devices to form a multi-user fitness workout station of virtually any desired design. In addition, once configured and assembled into a cell, the vertical members provide support for one or more storage devices, attached inside and/or outside the cell, permitting convenient storage of such items as bands, balls, bars, weights, etc. [0018] The kit of standardized parts, according to the invention, offers a number of advantages over the exercise apparatus of the prior art. [0019] 1. They eliminate the need, required for many items, to be attachable to a reinforced wall or other solid building surface. Such building structures are difficult to utilize for exercise equipment since drywall walls are inadequate for the support of such equipment and wall struts are not readily found. [0020] 2. By replacing individual exercise machines or dedicated multi-user workstations with self-standing supporting cells, to which a large variety of exercise devices may be attached, the floor space normally required for a fitness center may be reduced to a relatively modest "footprint" of one, or just a few, supporting cells. [0021] 3. The exercise apparatus according to the invention is easily transportable. The supporting cell or cells may be easily disassembled and transported, together with their attachable exercise devices, to another location. The apparatus is ideal for military use, for example, since it can be transported and assembled in a tent. Continue reading about User-defined exercise apparatus... Full patent description for User-defined exercise apparatus Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this User-defined exercise apparatus patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like User-defined exercise apparatus or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Multifunctional exercise machine Next Patent Application: Exercising inversion table Industry Class: Exercise devices ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the User-defined exercise apparatus patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.11476 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Daimler Chrysler , DirecTV , Exxonmobil Chemical Company , Goodyear , Intel , Kyocera Wireless , 174 |
 * Protect your Inventions * US Patent Office filing 
PATENT INFO |
|
