US20160074695A1

US20160074695A1 - Fitness structure

Info

Publication number: US20160074695A1
Application number: US14/785,503
Authority: US
Inventors: Ki Won Lee
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-05-15
Filing date: 2014-05-15
Publication date: 2016-03-17
Also published as: WO2014185718A1

Abstract

A fitness structure includes a first standing member including a plurality of first guiding grooves located at different heights, a second standing member facing the first standing member and including a plurality of second guiding grooves respectively facing the plurality of first guiding grooves, and a catcher bar including a barbell support part extending in a first direction and an inserting and withdrawing part protruding from both end portions of the barbell support part, and supported by the first standing member and the second standing member as the inserting and withdrawing part is inserted into one of the plurality of first guiding grooves and one of the plurality of second guiding grooves facing each other, in which each of the plurality of first guiding grooves and the second guiding groove includes a horizontal groove guiding the inserting and withdrawing part in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction from an opening that is an entrance into which the inserting and withdrawing part is inserted, and a vertical groove connected from the horizontal groove and guiding the inserting and withdrawing part toward an accommodation part, and the inserting and withdrawing part has a vertical cross-section at least partially extending in a lengthwise direction of the vertical groove.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a fitness structure, and more particularly, to a fitness structure for weight training.

BACKGROUND ART

Recently, as social interest about beauty and health has increased, the number of people that keeps weight training to improve muscle strength and build a balanced body has increased. Weight training improves physical strength by training muscle strength using an object having a weight such as a barbell or a dumbbell. Exercises for weight training include bench press, squats, deadlifts, etc. A fitness club has various types of exercise equipment to do such exercises.
To do a squat motion, which is a weight training exercise, basically, a barbell including a metal bar and disc weights provided at both ends of the metal bar is needed. Unlike this, according to technologies disclosed in Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2011-0122618 laid open on Nov. 10, 2011 and Korean Patent No. 10-0657716 published on Dec. 14, 2006, the squat motion may be done using fitness equipment including a combination of weights and pulleys instead of a barbell. However, using the fitness equipment having complex functions is inconvenient and muscles may not be uniformly trained because balance muscles and accessory muscles cannot be trained together unlike free weights.
Alternatively, when a barbell is used to perform a squat motion, a person working out repeats motions of standing with the barbell on one's shoulder, lowering one's torso into a squat, and then, raising the torso back to the upright position. In doing so, since the person working out who performs the squat motion needs to lift the barbell that weighs equally or greater than the person working out, control of the barbell in the repetition of the motion may be lost, which may lead to a safety accident. To prevent the safety accident, some fitness structures are provided with a catcher bar for catching a barbell at an appropriate height so that a person working out may not be hurt due to the weight of the barbell that is not controlled. However, when persons having different figures use the same fitness structure, the position of a catcher bar needs to be changed according to the figure of each person. For a conventional catcher bar, a person working out may be inconvenienced because changing the position of the catcher bar is not easy.
Alternatively, when a barbell is used to perform the squat motion, the motions of standing with the barbell on one's shoulder, lowering one's torso down into a squat, and then, raising the torso back to the upright position are repeated. In doing so, since the person working out, who performs the squat motion, needs to lift the barbell, which weighs equally or greater than the person working out, a support frame to place the barbell thereon is needed in order to facilitate the squat motion. In this connection, Korean Patent No. 10-0657716, published on Dec. 14, 2006, discloses a weight removing apparatus which enables a barbell that is appropriately placed for a bench press motion, not a squat motion.
However, according to a prior art, no fitness equipment has been proposed which facilitates placing a barbell on a support according to one's height when persons having different heights perform a squat motion by using a single barbell support frame. Also, when a barbell is placed on a support, a finger of a person working out may be hurt if it is squeezed between the barbell and fitness equipment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Technical Problem

The present inventive concept provides a fitness structure having a catcher bar that may be easily set to an appropriate height according to a figure of a user who performs a weight training motion such as a squat.
Also, the present inventive concept provides a fitness structure which may facilitate placing a barbell on a catcher bar regardless of the height of a user who performs a squat motion.

Technical Solution

According to an aspect of the present inventive concept, there is provided a fitness structure which includes a first standing member including a plurality of first guiding grooves located at different heights, a second standing member facing the first standing member and including a plurality of second guiding grooves respectively facing the plurality of first guiding grooves, and a catcher bar including a barbell support part extending in a first direction and an inserting and withdrawing part protruding from both end portions of the barbell support part, and supported by the first standing member and the second standing member as the inserting and withdrawing part is inserted into one of the plurality of first guiding grooves and one of the plurality of second guiding grooves facing each other, in which each of the plurality of first guiding grooves and the second guiding groove includes a horizontal groove guiding the inserting and withdrawing part in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction from an opening that is an entrance into which the inserting and withdrawing part is inserted, and a vertical groove connected from the horizontal groove and guiding the inserting and withdrawing part toward an accommodation part, and the inserting and withdrawing part has a vertical cross-section at least partially extending in a lengthwise direction of the vertical groove.
The inserting and withdrawing part may be supported by fixed walls located at both sides of the vertical groove in the accommodation part.
One inserting and withdrawing part may be formed at each end portion of the barbell support part.
A vertical cross-section of the inserting and withdrawing part or the barbell support part may have a polygonal shape.
The barbell support part may have a flat upper surface.
In the opening of each of the plurality of first guiding grooves or each of the plurality of second guiding grooves, a vertical width of the opening at a side of the entrance may be greater than a vertical width of the opening at a side of the horizontal groove.
According to an aspect of the present inventive concept, there is provided a fitness structure for accommodating a barbell which includes a pair of standing structures comprising a front surface in which a plurality of first insertion holes, each having a first width, are formed, a rear surface located corresponding to the front surface and in which a plurality of second insertion holes, each having a second width, are respectively formed corresponding to the plurality of first insertion holes, and first and second side surfaces respectively connecting the front and rear surfaces, an insertion pin comprising a protruding part having a width that is smaller than the first width and partially passes through each of the plurality of first insertion holes and an insertion part located at a tip end of the protruding part, having a width that is smaller than the second width, and partially passing through each of the plurality of second insertion holes to protrude from the rear surface, and a support structure connecting the standing structures to have the second side surfaces of the pair of standing structures face to each other, in which the first width is greater than the second width and a width of the protruding part is greater than the second width.
Each of the standing structures may include an upper standing structure comprising the front surface, the first side surface, the second side surface, and the rear surface, and a lower standing structure connecting the support structure and each of the standing structures, in which a lengthwise direction of the upper standing structure is inclined with respect to a direction perpendicular to ground.
When being inserted into the standing structure, the insertion pin may be disposed such that a lengthwise direction of the insertion pin is substantially perpendicular to the front surface.
A shape of the first insertion hole and a shape of a cross-section of the protruding part, or a shape of the second insertion hole and a shape of a cross-section of the insertion part, may be congruous with each other, and the shape is any one of a polygon and a circle.
The fitness structure may further include a protection part located protruding from the front surface to prevent a barbell from contacting the front surface.
The protection part may be arranged in a lengthwise direction of the upper standing structure on the first side surface.

Advantageous Effects

In the fitness structure according to the present exemplary embodiments, even when users use the same fitness structure, the position of a catcher bar may be easily set to an appropriate height according to the figure of each person. Also, since guiding grooves of a standing member include a horizontal groove and a vertical groove extending toward the horizontal groove, and an inserting and withdrawing part of the catcher bar inserted in the guiding groove is supported by a fixed wall disposed at both sides of the vertical groove, the catcher bar may be prevented from being shaken or rotated by an external force.
Furthermore, in an opening part of the guiding groove, because a vertical width of the opening at a side of an entrance is wider than a vertical width of the opening at a side facing the inside of the guiding groove, the catcher bar may be easily inserted into each guiding groove.
Also, in the fitness structure according to the present exemplary embodiments, for a standing structure including a plurality of insertion holes, by inserting an insertion pin into the insertion hole located at an appropriate height, even when users use the same fitness structure, each user may easily place a barbell suitable for one's height.
Also, as a protection part protruding from a front surface of the standing structure, the standing structure may be protected from a shock applied when the barbell is placed on a catcher bar and simultaneously a finger of a user who places the barbell on a catcher bar may be prevented from being hurt
In detail, when placing a barbell on a catcher bar after finishing an exercise such as a squat, a user may have the barbell closely contact a portion of the standing structure at a higher position than a portion where the insertion pin is located and then slide the barbell down along the standing structure to a portion where the insertion pin is located. In doing so, as the barbell is guided toward the insertion pin without having to directly contact the front surface of the standing structure by the protection part, the barbell may be easily placed on the fitness structure and simultaneously the standing structure may be protected.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fitness structure according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of a guiding groove of a standing member of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a catcher bar of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are partial perspective views illustrating that the catcher bar is coupled to the standing member of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 5 to 10 are partial perspective views of guiding grooves of the standing member according to various exemplary embodiments.

FIGS. 11 to 13 are partial perspective views of catcher bars according to various exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating an example in which a user who performs a squat motion places a barbell by using a fitness structure according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a fitness structure according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view illustrating an upper standing structure of FIG. 15 viewed from the outside.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view illustrating the upper standing structure of FIG. 15 viewed from the inside.

FIG. 18 is a partial perspective view illustrating the upper standing structure of FIG. 15 viewed from the backside.

FIG. 19 illustrates an insertion pin of FIG. 15.

FIG. 20 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating the insertion pin is inserted in the standing structure in the fitness structure of FIG. 15.

FIG. 21 is a partial perspective view illustrating connection among an upper standing structure, a lower standing structure, and a support structure in the fitness structure of FIG. 15.

FIG. 22 illustrates an example in which a user who performs a squat motion places a barbell on a fitness structure according to an exemplary embodiment.

BEST MODE

Exemplary embodiments of the present inventive concept are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present inventive concept is not limited thereto and it will be understood that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the following claims. That is, descriptions on particular structures or functions may be presented merely for explaining exemplary embodiments of the present inventive concept.
Terms such as “first” and “second” are used herein merely to describe a variety of constituent elements, but the constituent elements are not limited by the terms. Such terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one constituent element from another constituent element. For example, without departing from the right scope of the present inventive concept, a first constituent element may be referred to as a second constituent element, and vice versa.
In the present specification, when a constituent element “connects” or is “connected” to another constituent element, the constituent element contacts or is connected to the other constituent element directly or through at least one of other constituent elements. Conversely, when a constituent element is described to “directly connect” or to be “directly connected” to another constituent element, the constituent element should be construed to be directly connected to another constituent element without any other constituent element interposed therebetween. Other expressions, such as, “between” and “directly between”, describing the relationship between the constituent elements, may be construed in the same manner.
Terms used in the present specification are used for explaining a specific exemplary embodiment, not for limiting the present inventive concept. Thus, an expression used in a singular form in the present specification also includes the expression in its plural form unless clearly specified otherwise in context. Also, terms such as “include” or “comprise” may be construed to denote a certain characteristic, number, step, operation, constituent element, or a combination thereof, but may not be construed to exclude the existence of or a possibility of addition of one or more other characteristics, numbers, steps, operations, constituent elements, or combinations thereof.
Unless defined otherwise, all terms used herein including technical or scientific terms have the same meanings as those generally understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present inventive concept may pertain. The terms as those defined in generally used dictionaries are construed to have meanings matching that in the context of related technology and, unless clearly defined otherwise, are not construed to be ideally or excessively formal.
The present invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. Like reference numerals in the drawings denote like elements, and thus their description will be omitted.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fitness structure according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of a guiding groove of a standing member of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a catcher bar 310 of FIG. 1. FIG. 4A illustrates a process in which the catcher bar 310 is coupled to a first standing member 210. FIG. 4B illustrates that the catcher bar 310 is coupled to the first standing member 210.
Referring to FIG. 1, a fitness structure 100 according to the present exemplary embodiment may include a pair of first standing members 210, a pair of second standing members 280 facing the first standing members 210, and a pair of catcher bars 310. In some embodiments, the first standing members 210 and the second standing members 280 may be connected to a support structure 400. Also, the support structure 400 may include a plurality of leg parts 410. Although not illustrated, the fitness structure 100 may have a form combined with other fitness structure such as a barbell support frame on which a barbell may be placed to fit to a height of a user's shoulders.
In the present exemplary embodiment, the first and second standing members 210 and 280 and the support structure 400 may be formed of a solid metal material, for example, iron (Fe) or an iron alloy.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the first standing members 210 may include a plurality of first guiding grooves GG located at different heights, and the second standing members 280 may include a plurality of second guiding grooves respectively corresponding to the first guiding grooves GG. The second guiding groove may have substantially the same shape as that of the first guiding groove. The second guiding grooves are formed substantially at the same height as the first guiding grooves corresponding thereto. In FIG. 1, each of the first and second standing members 210 and 280 may include four first and second guiding grooves having different heights. However, this is merely exemplary, and the number of first and second guiding grooves respectively included in the first and second standing members 210 and 280 may be variously set as necessary.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, when the user loses control of the barbell, for example, the barbell slips from a user's hands during a weight training motion or the user, who shoulders the barbell, falls backward, the catcher bar 310 may support the barbell at a predetermined height so that the user may be prevented from being hurt. Also, the barbell may be placed on an upper surface 315_1 of the catcher bar 310 according to a type of user's usage.
The catcher bar 310 may include a barbell support part 315 extending in a first direction D1 and a pair of inserting and withdrawing parts 317 a and 317 b formed respectively at both end portions of the barbell support part 315. The upper surface 315_1 of the barbell support part 315 may be formed to be substantially flat to increase a friction area to the barbell. Although not illustrated, a rubber pad, for example, may be attached on the upper surface 315_1 of the barbell support part 315. The catcher bar 310 is installed as the inserting and withdrawing parts 317 a and 317 b are respectively inserted into the first and second guiding grooves. In particular, the catcher bar 310 is installed such that the first direction D1 in which the catcher bar 310 extends is perpendicular to a third direction D3 in which the first and second standing members 210 and 280 extend. The barbell support part 315 and the inserting and withdrawing parts 317 a and 317 b are described below in detail with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B.
Referring back to FIG. 1, the support structure 400 supports the first and second standing members 210 and 280. For example, the support structure 400 may have a shape of a rectangle with one open side when viewed from above. In this case, one side of the support structure 400, through which the user of the fitness structure 100 passes, is open. Accordingly, when the user is located inside the rectangle with one open side, the support structure 400 may support a total of four of the first and second standing members 210 and 280 such that the first and second standing members 210 and 280 and the catcher bar 310 may be located at opposite sides.
The leg parts 410 may support a load applied to the support structure 400 by distributing the load. For example, when the support structure 400 has a shape of a rectangle with one open side, the four leg parts 410 including angled portions of the shape of a rectangle with one open side may support the support structure 400.
Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, 4A and 4B, first standing members 210 may include a guiding groove GG formed concave into a predetermined inner space. The guiding groove GG has an opening OP and may include a horizontal groove HG connected to the opening OP, and a vertical groove VG connected to the horizontal groove HG. An accommodation part AP is located in a lower end of the vertical groove VG. The accommodation part AP may substantially have a flat surface.
The horizontal groove HG extends in a second direction D2, which is perpendicular to the first direction D1 that is a direction in which the barbell support part 315 extends. One end of the horizontal groove HG is connected to the opening OP. The vertical groove VG is connected to the accommodation part AP from the other end of the horizontal groove HG. Fixed walls W1 and W2 extending in the third direction D3, in which the first standing members 210 extend, are located at both sides of the vertical groove VG. In the present exemplary embodiment, the guiding groove GG may have an L-shape including the horizontal groove HG and the vertical groove VG.
The inserting and withdrawing parts 317 a and 317 b of the catcher bar 310 may be a first inserting and withdrawing part 317 a formed on end of the barbell support part 315 to be inserted into one of the first standing members 210, and a second inserting and withdrawing part 317 b formed at the other end of the barbell support part 315 to be inserted in one of the second standing members 280. As described later, in the first and second inserting and withdrawing parts 317 a and 317 b accommodated in the accommodation part AP, side surfaces 317 a_1 and 317 a_2 contact the fixed walls W1 and W2 disposed at both sides of the vertical groove VG and are fixed thereon. Accordingly, rotation or shaking of the catcher bar 310 in the guiding groove GG while the catcher bar 310 is installed in the guiding groove GG may be reduced. For example, vertical cross-sections of the first and second inserting and withdrawing parts 317 a and 317 b, in other words, cross-sections cut in the third direction D3 may have a shape that at least partially extends in the third direction D3 that is a length direction of the vertical groove VG. In the present exemplary embodiment, the first inserting and withdrawing part 317 a may have the two side surfaces 317 a_1 and 317 a_2 contacting the fixed walls W1 and W2 in the third direction D3, and a vertical cross-section having a rectangular shape. Also, a vertical cross-section of the barbell support part 315 may have a rectangular shape having an area larger than that of each of the first and second inserting and withdrawing parts 317 a and 317 b.
Referring to FIGS. 3, 4A, and 4B, the catcher bar 310 is installed on the first standing members 210 as the inserting and withdrawing part 317 a or 317 b is inserted in the horizontal groove HG through the opening OP in a direction indicated by an arrow A1 and then into the vertical groove VG connected to the horizontal groove HG in a direction indicated by an arrow A2, thereby being accommodated in the accommodation part AP. In this state, the side surfaces 317 a_1 and 317 a_2 of the first inserting and withdrawing part 317 a at least partially extend in the third direction D3 along the fixed walls W1 and W2 arranged at opposite sides of the vertical groove VG.
Although FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate that the catcher bar 310 is installed with respect to the first guiding groove GG of the first standing members 210, the catcher bar 310 may be simultaneously installed in the same manner with respect to the second guiding groove (not shown) of the second standing members 280 corresponding to the first guiding groove GG.
As such, the first standing members 210 of the fitness structure 100 according to the present exemplary embodiment may include the guiding groove GG having an L-shape including the flat accommodation part AP, and the catcher bar 310 inserted into the guiding groove GG may include the inserting and withdrawing parts 317 a and 317 b each having a vertical cross-section having a rectangular shape. However, the shapes are exemplary, and the catcher bar 310 is fixed in the guiding groove GG by the inserting and withdrawing parts 317 a and 317 b each having a shape at least partially extending in a direction along the length of the vertical groove VG and the fixed walls W1 and W2 arranged at both sides of the vertical groove VG to support the inserting and withdrawing parts 317 a and 317 b, thereby stably supporting the barbell.
Also, since the first and second standing members 210 and 280 include a plurality of guiding grooves GG having different heights, even when users use the same fitness structure, the catcher bar 310 may be easily installed at a height suitable for a figure of each user.
FIGS. 5 to 10 are partial perspective views of guiding grooves of the standing member according to various exemplary embodiments. In the following description, for the same structure as that described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, the same numerical reference is used and a detailed description thereof is omitted or briefly presented.
Referring to FIG. 5, a standing member 220 according to another exemplary embodiment may include the guiding groove GG including the opening OP facing the second direction D2, the horizontal groove HG connected to the opening OP, and the vertical groove VG connected to the horizontal groove HG. The accommodation part AP having a flat surface is arranged in the lower end of the vertical groove VG. In the present exemplary embodiment, although the guiding groove GG may have an L-shape, unlike the guiding groove of FIG. 2, the guiding groove GG may be formed only in a part of the standing member 220 such that the guiding groove GG is closed in the second direction D2. For example, the guiding groove GG having an L-shape may be open only in two side surfaces of the standing member 220.
Referring to FIG. 6, a standing member 230 according to another exemplary embodiment may include the guiding groove GG including the opening OP facing the second direction D2, the horizontal groove HG connected to the opening OP, and the vertical groove VG connected to the horizontal groove HG. Unlike the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 5, the accommodation part AP having a round surface is arranged in the lower end of the vertical groove VG. In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 11 that is described later, as a catcher bar 320 including an inserting and withdrawing part 327 having a round lower surface is accommodated in the accommodation part AP, the catcher bar 320 may be stably installed on the standing member 230. The inserting and withdrawing part 327 may be supported by the fixed walls W1 and W2 that are arranged at both sides of the vertical groove VG, and a radius of curvature of the accommodation part AP and a radius of curvature of the lower surface of the inserting and withdrawing part 327 may be substantially the same. In the present exemplary embodiment, except that the accommodation part AP has a round surface, the other parts of the guiding groove GG formed in the standing member 230 may be formed to be substantially the same as that of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 5.
Referring to FIG. 7, a standing member 240 according to another exemplary embodiment may include the guiding groove GG including the opening OP facing the second direction D2, the horizontal groove HG connected to the opening OP, and the vertical groove VG connected to the horizontal groove HG. Unlike the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 6, the accommodation part AP having an angled surface is arranged in the lower end of the vertical groove VG. In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 12 that is described later, as a catcher bar 330 including an inserting and withdrawing part 337 each having an angled lower surface is accommodated in the accommodation part AP, the catcher bar 330 may be stably installed on the standing member 240. The inserting and withdrawing part 337 may be supported by the fixed walls W1 and W2 that are arranged at both sides of the vertical groove VG, and an angle formed by two surfaces of the accommodation part AP may be substantially the same as an angle of the angled lower surface of the inserting and withdrawing part 337. In the present exemplary embodiment, although the accommodation part AP is illustrated as having two surfaces forming a predetermined angle, this is merely exemplary. The angled surface of the accommodation part AP may be formed in various shapes. For example, although it is not illustrated, the accommodation part AP may have four surfaces forming a W-shape at a predetermined angle, and the inserting and withdrawing part of the catcher bar corresponding thereto may have a lower surface that has a W-shape forming substantially the same angle as that of the accommodation part AP. In the present exemplary embodiment, except that the accommodation part AP has an angled surface, the other parts of the guiding groove GG formed in the standing member 240 may be formed to be substantially the same as that of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 5.
Referring to FIG. 8, a standing member 250 according to another exemplary embodiment may include the guiding groove GG including the opening OP facing the second direction D2, the horizontal groove HG connected to the opening OP, and the vertical groove VG connected to the horizontal groove HG. Unlike the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 5, a vertical width VW1 of the opening OP at a side of an entrance into which the catcher bar 310 is inserted may be greater than a vertical width VW2 of the opening OP at a side connected to the inside of the horizontal groove HG. In this case, the inserting and withdrawing part included in the catcher bar may be easily inserted through the opening OP having a relatively wider entrance than other embodiments described above, thereby guiding the catcher bar toward the horizontal groove HG. In the present exemplary embodiment, although the vertical width of the opening OP linearly decreases from the vertical width VW1 at a side of the entrance toward the vertical width VW2 at a side close to the horizontal groove HG, this is mere exemplary and a degree of the decrease of the vertical width of the opening OP may be variously set. For example, a part from the vertical width VW1 of the opening OP at a side of the entrance toward the vertical width VW2 of the opening OP at a side close to the horizontal groove HG may be formed in a curved shape having a predetermined curvature. In the present exemplary embodiment, except that the vertical width VW1 of the opening OP at a side of the entrance is greater than the vertical width VW2 of the opening OP at a side close to the horizontal groove HG, the other parts of the guiding groove GG formed in the standing member 250 may be formed to be substantially the same as that of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 5.
Referring to FIG. 9, a standing member 260 according to another exemplary embodiment may include the guiding groove GG including the opening OP facing the second direction D2, the horizontal groove HG connected to the opening OP, and the vertical groove VG connected to the horizontal groove HG. Unlike the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 8, the vertical groove VG may be connected not from an end portion of the horizontal groove HG, but from a part of the horizontal groove HG in a direction in which the horizontal groove HG extends. For example, when viewed in the first direction D1, the guiding groove GG may have a T-shape. Also, in the present exemplary embodiment, to increase size of the entrance of the opening OP, an inclined side surface 267 in the second direction D2 may be further formed in an upper portion of the opening OP. Accordingly, the inserting and withdrawing part of the catcher bar may be easily inserted into the opening OP having a wider entrance to be guided toward the horizontal groove HG. In the present exemplary embodiment, except that the guiding groove GG has a T-shape and the inclined side surface 267 is further formed in the upper portion of the opening OP, the other parts of the guiding groove GG formed in the standing member 260 may be formed to be substantially the same as that of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 8.
Referring to FIG. 10, a standing member 270 according to another exemplary embodiment may include the guiding groove GG including the opening OP facing the second direction D2, the horizontal groove HG connected to the opening OP, and the vertical groove VG connected to the horizontal groove HG. Unlike the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 9, the vertical groove VG may be formed relatively long in a vertical direction across the horizontal groove HG. For example, when viewed in the first direction D1, the guiding groove GG may have a “├” shape or a cross “+” shape. Also, in the present exemplary embodiment, as an inclined surface 277 in the second direction D2 is further formed in the upper portion of the opening OP, the entrance of the opening OP may be formed wide. In the present exemplary embodiment, except that the vertical groove VG is formed relatively long, the other parts of the guiding groove GG formed in the standing member 270 may be formed to be substantially the same as that of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 9.
FIGS. 11 to 13 are partial perspective views of catcher bars according to various exemplary embodiments. In the following description, for the same structure as that described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, the same numerical reference is used and a detailed description thereof is omitted or briefly presented.
Referring to FIGS. 11 to 13, catcher bars 320, 330, and 340 according to exemplary embodiments include inserting and withdrawing parts 327, 337, and 347 having vertical cross-sections that at least partially extend in the third direction D3. Also, the inserting and withdrawing parts 327, 337, and 347 may have various shapes in the lower portions thereof in the third direction D3, and the shapes may correspond to the accommodation part AP that contacts the inserting and withdrawing parts 327, 337, and 347 when the catcher bars 320, 330, and 340 are coupled to the standing member. For example, the vertical cross-section of the inserting and withdrawing part may have a rectangular shape 347, or the lower surface of the inserting and withdrawing part may have a round shape 327 or an angled shape 337 However, the angled shape of the inserting and withdrawing part 337 is exemplary, and the lower surface of the inserting and withdrawing part 337 may have various angled shapes such as an inverse triangular shape or a W-shape.
Also, the catcher bars 320, 330, and 340 may include barbell support parts 325, 335, and 345 having substantially flat upper surfaces 325_1, 335_1, and 345_1. Unlike the flat upper surfaces 325_1, 335_1, and 345_1 of the barbell support parts 325, 335, and 345, the lower surface or side surface of a barbell support part may not be flat. For example, the lower surface of the barbell support part 345 may have a round shape. However, this is exemplary and the side surface or lower surface of the barbell support part may have various shapes.
FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating an example in which a user who performs a squat motion places a barbell on the user's shoulders by using a fitness structure according to an exemplary embodiment.
Referring to FIG. 14, before performing a squat motion, the user inserts the catcher bar 310 into the guiding grooves of the first and second standing members 210 and 230 located at a height slightly lower than a height at which the user crouches and then repeats a squat motion while shouldering the barbell placed on the barbell support part (not shown) that is separately or integrally formed corresponding to a height of the user's shoulders. When the user loses control of the barbell during a repetition of the motion, for example, the barbell slips from the user's hands during a weight training motion or the user who crouches with the barbell on one's shoulders cannot stand, the catcher bar 310, instead of the user, may support the barbell at a predetermined height. Accordingly, a safety accident that may occur during exercise may be prevented.
As described above, in the fitness structure according to the present exemplary embodiments, since each standing member includes a plurality of guiding grooves having different heights, even when users use the same fitness structure, the position of the catcher bar may be easily set to a height appropriate to a figure of each user. Also, each of the guiding grooves of the standing member includes a horizontal groove having an opening and a vertical groove connected to the horizontal groove. Since the inserting and withdrawing part of the catcher bar inserted into the guiding groove is supported by the fixed walls located at both sides of the vertical groove, the catcher bar may be prevented from being shaken or rotated by an external force.
Furthermore, since the opening of the guiding groove is formed such that a vertical width of the opening at a side of an entrance is wider than a vertical width of the opening at a side close to the inside of the guiding groove, the catcher bar may be easily inserted into the guiding groove.

MODE OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a fitness structure according to an exemplary embodiment.
Referring to FIG. 15, a fitness structure 1100 according to the present exemplary embodiment may include a plurality of standing structures 1200, a support structure 1500, and a plurality of insertion pins 1300. Each of the standing structures 1200 may include an upper standing structure 1210 and a lower standing structure 1250. The support structure 1500 may include an upholding structure 1510 and a plurality of standing support structures 1520. Also, the support structure 1500 may further include a plurality of leg parts 1515.
In the present exemplary embodiment, the standing structure 1200 and the support structure 1500 may be formed of a solid metal material, for example, iron (Fe) or an iron alloy.
The upper standing structure 1210 may include a front surface 1211 a, a first side surface 1211 b, a second side surface 1211 c, and a rear surface 1211 d. For example, the upper standing structure 1210 may be formed of a hollow steel frame that is formed as four steel panels extending long in one direction are coupled.
A plurality of first insertion holes 1215 are formed in the front surface 1211 a.
A protection part 1213 is attached on the first side surface 1211 b. In some embodiments, the protection part 1213 may contain the same material as that of the upper standing structure 1210. Alternatively, the protection part 1213 may contain a different material from that of the upper standing structure 1210. For example, the protection part 1213 may contain aluminum or an aluminum alloy.
The second side surface 1211 c is opposite to the first side surface 1211 b, and the rear surface 1211 d is opposite to the front surface 1211 a. The coupling relation between the upper standing structure 1210 and the insertion pin 1300 is described below in detail with reference to FIG. 20.
One end of the lower standing structure 1250 is connected to the upper standing structure 1210 and the other end thereof is connected to the support structure 1500. The lower standing structure 1250 may be connected to the support structure 1500 such that a lengthwise direction of the lower standing structure 1250 is substantially perpendicular to the ground. For example, the lower standing structure 1250 may be connected to the support structure 1500 to stand up to a predetermined height with respect to the support structure 1500. In some embodiments, the lower standing structure 1250 and the support structure 1500 may be integrally formed. The lower standing structure 1250 is connected to the upper standing structure 1210 forming a predetermined angle ANG2 therebetween. For example, the upper standing structure 1210 may be connected to the lower standing structure 1250 to be inclined at an angle with respect to a direction in which the lower standing structure 1250 stands up. Accordingly, the upper standing structure 1210 may be arranged such that the lengthwise direction of the upper standing structure 1210 is inclined with respect to a direction perpendicular to the ground. Also, in some embodiments, the upper standing structure 1210 and the lower standing structure 1250 may be integrally formed. In the present exemplary embodiment, although the lower standing structure 1250 is illustrated as having four surfaces similar to the upper standing structure 1210, this is exemplary and the shape of the lower standing structure 1250 is not limited thereto. For example, the lower standing structure 1250 may have a cylindrical shape or a polygonal column shape.
The insertion pin 1300 is inserted into any one of the first insertion holes 1215 in each upper standing structure 1210. In some embodiments, a plurality of the insertion pins 1300 may be inserted in the upper standing structure 1210. In general, the insertion pin 1300 may be located at the same height at each of a pair of the upper standing structures 1210. The insertion pin 1300 may contain the same material as that of the standing structure 1200, or a light metal material, for example, aluminum A1 or an aluminum alloy.
The standing support structure 1520 may be connected to one end of the upper standing structure 1210. For example, the standing support structure 1520 may be connected to the rear surface 1211 d of one end of the upper standing structure 1210. The standing support structure 1520 supports the upper standing structure 1210, and thus an external shock applied to the front surface 1211 a of the upper standing structure 1210 may be absorbed. Also, the standing support structure 1520 is connected to the upholding structure 1510. In some embodiments, the standing support structure 1520 and the upholding structure 1510 may be integrally formed.
The upholding structure 1510 has a bent shape when viewed from above, and supports the standing structures 1200. For example, the upholding structure 1510, when viewed from above, may have a shape of a rectangle with one open side. In this case, the upholding structure 1510 has an open side through which a user of the fitness structure 1100 passes. The upholding structure 1510 may support two standing structures 1200 such that, when the user is located inside the shape of a rectangle with one open side, each of the standing structure 1200 is located at either side surface. In the present exemplary embodiment, the two upper standing structures 1210 are arranged such that the second side surfaces 1211 c face each other. Also, in the present exemplary embodiment, the protection part 1213 included in each upper standing structure 1210 is arranged to face the outside of the shape of a rectangle with one open side. In the following description, the inside of the shape of a rectangle with one open side that the second side surfaces 1211 c face is referred to as an interior, and the outside of the shape of a rectangle with one open side that the first side surfaces 1211 b or the protection parts 1213 face is referred to as an exterior. Also, an open direction of the shape of a rectangle with one open side is referred to as a front side, and a closed direction of the shape of a rectangle with one open side is referred to as a rear side. However, this is merely for convenience of explanation and the interior and the exterior, or the front side and the rear side, may be differently defined according to the shape of the upholding structure 1510.
The upholding structure 1510 may include the leg parts 1515 that separate the standing structure 1200 from the ground by a predetermined height. In this case, the leg part 1515 may support a weight applied to the upholding structure 1510 by distributing the load. For example, when the upholding structure 1510 has the shape of a rectangle with one open side, the four leg parts 1515 including angled portions of the shape of a rectangle with one open side may support the upholding structure 1510.
FIG. 16 is a perspective view illustrating an upper standing structure of FIG. 15 viewed from the outside. FIG. 17 is a perspective view illustrating the upper standing structure of FIG. 15 viewed from the inside. FIG. 18 is a partial perspective view illustrating the upper standing structure of FIG. 15 viewed from the backside.
Referring to FIGS. 16 to 18, according to the present exemplary embodiment, the upper standing structure 1210 may include the front surface 1211 a facing the front side, the first side surface 1211 b facing the exterior, the second side surface 1211 c facing the interior, and the rear surface 1211 d facing the rear side.
The front surface 1211 a may include the first insertion holes 1215 arranged at different heights. Each of the first insertion holes 1215 may be a circular through-hole having a first width D1. The first widths D1 of the first insertion holes 1215 may be substantially the same in each upper standing structure 1210.
The first side surface 1211 b may connect the front surface 1211 a and the rear surface 1211 d. The protection part 1213 that extends long in the lengthwise direction of the upper standing structure 1210 is arranged on the first side surface 1211 b. The protection part 1213 may have a thin panel shape having a predetermined width. However, since the thickness of the protection part 1213 is smaller than the width of a surface of each upper standing structure 1210, for convenience of explanation, the thickness of the protection part 1213 is not separately illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
The protection part 1213 is arranged on the first side surface 1211 b to protrude from the front surface 1211 a by a predetermined width H. Accordingly, when viewed from the inside of the fitness structure 1100, a part of the protection part 1213 may be exposed above the front surface 1211 a. As such, as the protection part 1213 protrudes from the front surface 1211 a, the front surface 1211 a may be protected from a bar of the barbell approaching the front surface 1211 a so that the bar of the barbell may not directly contact the front surface 1211 a. Also, the protection part 1213 may prevent a finger of the user gripping the barbell, for example, a little finger part, from being hurt by being caught between the bar and the front surface 1211 a.
In some embodiments, as the protection part 1213 is arranged to extend in the lengthwise direction of the upper standing structure 1210, the protection part 1213 may constantly maintain the width H protruding from the front surface 1211 a in the lengthwise direction of the upper standing structure 1210. Accordingly, when the barbell approaches the front surface 1211 a from a position higher than the insertion pin 1300, the protection part 1213 may guide the barbell to the height of the insertion pin 1300 that is inserted at a height lower than that of the barbell. Accordingly, when the insertion pin 1300 is inserted at an appropriate height, the barbell may be easily placed regardless of the height of the user.
However, the protection part according to the present exemplary embodiment is not limited to the shape of the protection part 1213 that is attached on first side surface 1211 b according to the above-described exemplary embodiment, and may have various shapes which protrude from the front surface and prevents the barbell from directly contacting the front surface.
The second side surface 1211 c connects the front surface 1211 a and the rear surface 1211 d, and is opposite to the first side surface 1211 b.
The rear surface 1211 d may include a plurality of second insertion holes 1217 arranged at different heights. Each of the second insertion holes 1217 may be a circular through-hole having a second width D2. The second width D2 of each of the second insertion holes 1217 is smaller than the first width D1 of each of the first insertion holes 1215. Also, the second insertion holes 1217 respectively correspond to the first insertion holes 1215 arranged in the front surface 1211 a.
FIG. 19 illustrates the insertion pin of FIG. 15. FIG. 20 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating the insertion pin is inserted in the standing structure in the fitness structure of FIG. 15.
Referring to FIG. 19, the insertion pin 1300 has a shape extending long in one direction and may include a protruding part 1320 having a first diameter W1 and an insertion part 1310 having a second diameter W2 that is smaller than the first diameter W1. The protruding part 1320 is a part that protrudes toward the front side from the front surface 1211 a when the insertion pin 1300 is inserted into the upper standing structure 1210, on which the barbell is substantially placed. Also, when the insertion pin 1300 is inserted into the upper standing structure 1210, the insertion part 1310 is a part that passes through the second insertion holes 1217 and protrudes backward from the rear surface 1211 d. The insertion part 1310 supports the insertion pin 1300 to prevent the insertion pin 1300 from being moved by an external force applied by the barbell.
The first diameter W1 of the protruding part 1320 and the second diameter W2 of the insertion part 1310 are smaller than the first width D1 and the second width D2, respectively. Also, a boundary part 1315 of the protruding part 1320 and the insertion part 1310 may include a surface that is substantially perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the insertion pin 1300. The protruding part 1320 of the insertion pin 1300 may extend longer than the insertion part 1310.
Referring to FIGS. 17 to 20, when the insertion pin 1300 is inserted into the upper standing structure 1210, the insertion part 1310 penetrates through the second insertion holes 1217 arranged in the rear surface 1211 d in a direction from the front side to the rear side. In this case, since the first diameter W1 of the protruding part 1320 is greater than the second width D2 of the second insertion holes 1217, the boundary part 1315 does not penetrate through the second insertion holes 1217 and may support the insertion of the insertion pin 1300. Also, a part of the protruding part 1320 penetrates through the first insertion hole 1215 arranged in the front surface 1211 a in the direction from the front side to the rear side, the other part of the protruding part 1320 protrudes from the front surface 1211 a to support the barbell. In some embodiments, the shape of the first insertion hole 1215 and the cross-sectional shape of the protruding part 1320, or the shape of the second insertion holes 1217 and the cross-sectional shape of the insertion part 1310 may be congruous with each other, and the shape may be any one of a polygon and a circle.
FIG. 21 is a partial perspective view illustrating connection among the upper standing structure, the lower standing structure, and the support structure in the fitness structure of FIG. 15.
Referring to FIGS. 17 and 21, in the present exemplary embodiment, the insertion pin 1300 may be inserted into the first insertion hole 1215 forming the first angle ANG1 with respect to the upper standing structure 1210. The first angle may be approximately 90°. In this case, the insertion pin 1300 may be more easily inserted than when the first angle has a value other than 90°.
FIG. 22 illustrates an example in which a user who performs a squat motion places the barbell on the fitness structure according to an exemplary embodiment.
Referring to FIG. 22, when the user approaches the barbell the front surface 1211 a of the upper standing structure 1210 to place the barbell, the protection part 1213 attached on the first side surface 1211 b guides the bar of the barbell and thus the barbell may be easily placed at an insertion position of the insertion pin 1300.
Although FIG. 22 illustrates a case in which one insertion pin 1300 is inserted into each upper standing structure 1210, this is exemplary and a plurality of insertion pins 1300 may be inserted with respect to one upper standing structure 1210 at various heights.
As described above, in the fitness structure according to the above-described exemplary embodiments, as the insertion pin is inserted in the insertion hole located at an appropriate height with respect to the standing structure including the insertion holes, even when users use the same fitness structure, the barbell may be easily placed suitable for the height of each user.
Also, since the protection part that protrudes above the front surface is included in the side surface of the standing structure, the protection part may protect the standing structure from the shock applied when the barbell is placed and simultaneously prevent injury to a finger of the user who places the barbell.
Furthermore, when the insertion pin is inserted at a position lower than the height of the user, as the barbell is guided along the side surface of the protection part to a portion where the insertion pin and the standing structure are coupled, the barbell may be easily placed on the fitness structure.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present inventive concept may be applied to all fitness structures used for weight training.
While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments using specific terminologies, the embodiments and terminologies should be considered in descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Therefore, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A fitness structure comprising:

a first standing member comprising a plurality of first guiding grooves located at different heights;

a second standing member facing the first standing member and comprising a plurality of second guiding grooves respectively facing the plurality of first guiding grooves; and

a catcher bar comprising a barbell support part extending in a first direction and an inserting and withdrawing part protruding from both end portions of the barbell support part, and supported by the first standing member and the second standing member as the inserting and withdrawing part is inserted into one of the plurality of first guiding grooves and one of the plurality of second guiding grooves facing each other,

wherein each of the plurality of first guiding grooves and the second guiding groove comprises a horizontal groove guiding the inserting and withdrawing part in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction from an opening that is an entrance into which the inserting and withdrawing part is inserted, and a vertical groove connected from the horizontal groove and guiding the inserting and withdrawing part toward an accommodation part, and

wherein the inserting and withdrawing part has a vertical cross-section at least partially extending in a lengthwise direction of the vertical groove.

2. The fitness structure of claim 1, wherein the inserting and withdrawing part is supported by fixed walls located at both sides of the vertical groove in the accommodation part.

3. The fitness structure of claim 1, wherein one inserting and withdrawing part is formed at each end portion of the barbell support part.

4. The fitness structure of claim 1, wherein a vertical cross-section of the inserting and withdrawing part or the barbell support part has a polygonal shape.

5. The fitness structure of claim 1, wherein the barbell support part has a flat upper surface.

6. The fitness structure of claim 1, wherein, in the opening of each of the plurality of first guiding grooves or each of the plurality of second guiding grooves, a vertical width of the opening at a side of the entrance is greater than a vertical width of the opening at a side of the horizontal groove.

7. A fitness structure for accommodating a barbell, wherein the fitness structure comprises:

a pair of standing structures comprising a front surface in which a plurality of first insertion holes, each having a first width, are formed, a rear surface located corresponding to the front surface and in which a plurality of second insertion holes, each having a second width, are respectively formed corresponding to the plurality of first insertion holes, and first and second side surfaces respectively connecting the front and rear surfaces;

an insertion pin comprising a protruding part having a width that is smaller than the first width and partially passes through each of the plurality of first insertion holes and an insertion part located at a tip end of the protruding part, having a width that is smaller than the second width, and partially passing through each of the plurality of second insertion holes to protrude from the rear surface; and

a support structure connecting the standing structures to have the second side surfaces of the pair of standing structures face to each other,

wherein the first width is greater than the second width and a width of the protruding part is greater than the second width.

8. The fitness structure of claim 7, wherein each of the standing structures comprises:

an upper standing structure comprising the front surface, the first side surface, the second side surface, and the rear surface; and

a lower standing structure connecting the support structure and each of the standing structures, and

wherein a lengthwise direction of the upper standing structure is inclined with respect to a direction perpendicular to ground.

9. The fitness structure of claim 8, wherein, when being inserted into the standing structure, the insertion pin is disposed such that a lengthwise direction of the insertion pin is substantially perpendicular to the front surface.

10. The fitness structure of claim 7, wherein a shape of the first insertion hole and a shape of a cross-section of the protruding part, or a shape of the second insertion hole and a shape of a cross-section of the insertion part, are congruous with each other, and the shape is any one of a polygon and a circle.

11. The fitness structure of claim 7, further comprising a protection part located protruding from the front surface to prevent a barbell from contacting the front surface.

12. The fitness structure of claim 11, wherein the protection part is arranged in a lengthwise direction of the upper standing structure on the first side surface.