US20220323815A1

US20220323815A1 - Fitness equipment accessories

Info

Publication number: US20220323815A1
Application number: US17/658,480
Authority: US
Inventors: Jose R. Simental; Carmen J. Ramirez
Original assignee: Tuffstuff Fitness International Inc
Current assignee: Tuffstuff Fitness International Inc
Priority date: 2021-04-08
Filing date: 2022-04-08
Publication date: 2022-10-13

Abstract

Accessories that are attachable to fitness equipment may be used to allow users to move the attachment quickly and easily from one position to another by removing the accessory or sliding it along a vertical or horizontal upright that forms part of the fitness equipment or rack. The accessories may come in many forms so that various exercises may be carried out using the accessories on the same fitness equipment or rack.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/172,232, filed on Apr. 8, 2021, entitled “QUICK RELEASE ATTACHMENTS” which is currently pending, and the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally directed to fitness equipment, and more particularly to accessories that may be used in association with existing fitness equipment to allow users to move or slide the attachment quickly and easily from one position to another. The present invention is further particularly directed to a system to allow users to move various features of existing fitness equipment quickly and easily from one position to another while also providing structural support.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Gyms are ubiquitous in society. Exercise enthusiasts and those generally wishing to improve their health visit gyms and fitness centers on a regular basis to improve their overall physical fitness and health. Individuals that go to gyms often perform multiple different types of exercises using equipment that does not take up a significant amount of floor space. Gyms aim to have as many gym visitors exercising on a piece of equipment without the need to wait for another gym user to finish using a separate piece of equipment. At the same time, visitors like having “their own” space in which to work out. As a result, gyms often include compact multi-purpose systems that do not take up very much floor space in what can be very crowded gym areas having lots of equipment.
Multi-purpose exercise is often carried out on fitness equipment known as “exercise cages,” such as cage 1 illustrated in FIG. 1. The exercise cage 1 can comprise multiple vertical members 5 and horizontal members 10. Each vertical member 5 and horizontal member 10 may be appropriately sized and shaped for each particular system such as the cage 1. For example, vertical members 5 and horizontal members 10 can be square members formed from rigid metal (and/or other appropriate materials). Different embodiments may include differently shaped (e.g., round, square, rectangular, oval, etc.) members 5, 10. Such members 5, 10 may be sized differently (and/or different thicknesses of and/or types of materials may be chosen) based on the loads expected to be supported by the members 5, 10 (and/or other components of the system). Each vertical member 5 and horizontal member 10 can include a plurality of apertures 15 on its outer surface or surfaces. Such apertures 15 can be adapted for receiving various implements, features, and devices associated with a gym system. Such apertures 15 can be slotted, circular, square, or any other suitable shape.
When a piece of equipment like the cage 1 includes mechanisms for carrying out multiple different exercises or routines, users should be able to quickly manipulate various features of the equipment, depending on the equipment they would like to use and the exercise they would like to perform. For example, one may use a first attachment to perform pull-up exercises using a cage like the cage 1 before deciding to switch out the grips used for pull-ups for an attachment with bar racks for securing a squat bar. In switching out equipment to carry out various exercise types, users want the transition from one exercise to another to be simple and safe. In some systems, securing attachments like pull-up bars to an exercise cage is complicated. In all systems, it is of utmost importance that the attachments are firmly secured to the cage to reduce the likelihood of injury.
In addition, many users may use heavy weights that require substantial support. For example, some systems may allow a user to “self-spot,” thus requiring bar catches to support a significant load to protect a user from injury.
Thus, there is a need for a multipurpose exercise system solution that allows users to move an attachment quickly, safely, and easily from one position to another. The solution should allow users to move various features of existing fitness equipment quickly and easily from one position to another while also providing significant structural support.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings form a part of the specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith, in which like reference numerals are used to indicate like or similar parts in the various views.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art exercise cage;

FIG. 2 is a first embodiment of a removable attachment constructed according to the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates the removable attachment of FIG. 2 with a first alternative fitness component;

FIG. 4 illustrates the removable attachment of FIGS. 2 and 3 with a second alternative fitness component;

FIG. 5 illustrates the removable attachment of FIGS. 2-4 with a third alternative fitness component;

FIG. 6 illustrates the removable attachment of FIGS. 2-5 with a fourth alternative fitness component;

FIG. 7 illustrates the removable attachment of FIGS. 2-6 with a fifth alternative fitness component;

FIG. 8 illustrates an alternatively constructed removable attachment;

FIG. 9 illustrates a second alternative embodiment of a removable attachment coupled to the prior art exercise cage of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a schematic of the removable attachment of FIG. 9 in a locked position;

FIG. 11 is a schematic of the removable attachment of FIGS. 9 and 10 in a locked position;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating the removable attachment of FIGS. 9-11 in an engaged position;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating the removable attachment of FIGS. 9-12 in a disengaged position; and

FIG. 14 is a side elevation view of the removable attachment of FIGS. 9-13 in the disengaged position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention will now be described with reference to the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout. For purposes of clarity in illustrating the characteristics of the present invention, proportional relationships of the elements have not necessarily been maintained in the drawing figures.
The following detailed description of the invention references specific embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. The embodiments are intended to describe aspects of the invention in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments can be utilized, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
The present disclosure is directed to various attachments that may be used in association with existing fitness equipment, such as the cage illustrated in FIG. 1. The attachments disclosed herein preferably allow users to move an attachment quickly and easily from one position to another. The present disclosure is further directed to a system to allow users to quickly and easily move various features of existing fitness equipment from one position to another while also providing significant structural support.
In an embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, a removable attachment 20 for a weight rack or gym system may generally comprise a fitness component 25 to which a rope 30 may be secured. Reference number “20” is generally used herein, but configurations of the removable attachment 20 are described herein as removable attachment 20A, 20B, and 20C. The fitness component 25 of FIG. 2 is embodied as a “D”-shaped hook to which other attachments may be secured or that can be used by a user for stretching exercises. As set forth below, the fitness component 25 may take on many configurations in alternative embodiments.
The removable attachment 20 further may include at least two mounting prongs 35, 40 that can be used for attaching the removable attachment 20 to the vertical member 5 (or horizontal member 10) of a weight rack or gym system, like the cage 1. The at least two mounting prongs 35, 40 can be generally parallel to one another and can extend generally rearwardly from the removable attachment 20. In one embodiment, the at least two mounting prongs 35, 40 can be sized and shaped to be received within the apertures 15 within the vertical member 5.
A securing member 45 preferably secures the removable attachment 20 to the vertical member 5 when the removable attachment 20 is engaged with the cage 1. The securing member 45 is preferably pivotably coupled to the removable attachment 20 so that a user can selectively pivot the securing member 45 relative to the rest of the removable attachment 20.
To use the securing member 45 to secure the removable attachment 20 to the cage 1, an operator may rotate the removable attachment 20 to a disengaged position (as embodied by removable attachment 20A). After the mounting prongs 35, 40 are received by apertures 15 in the rack 1 (see removable attachment 20B), a securing surface 50 on an interior of the removable attachment 20 (see removable attachment 20A) may abut the vertical member 5 (or the vertical member 10 in alternative embodiments). The securing surface 50 may include bumper members 55 made from an elastic material like rubber to prevent the surfaces of the attachment 20 and the cage 1 from rubbing against one another.
When the securing member 45 is rotated downwardly into the configuration embodied by the removable attachment 20C, the securing surface 50 may abut a portion of the weight rack 1. The securing member 45, including the securing surface 50, preferably prevents movement of the removable attachment 20 relative to the vertical member 5. More particularly, the mounting prongs 35, 40 may prevent vertical movement and side-to-side movement, while the securing member 45 may prevent movement of the removable attachment 20 (and the mounting prongs 35, 40) in and out of the vertical member 5. In some embodiments, the securing member 45 may be adapted so that it is biased toward the first, closed position, including, without limitation, under the force of gravity, or by a spring.
Should a user wish to replace the removable attachment 20 with another attachment including those described below, he or she may take the reverse steps to disengage the removable attachment 20 from the vertical member 5. More particularly, he or she may rotate the securing member 45 away from the vertical member 5 and subsequently pull the removable attachment 20 outwardly from the vertical member 5 to remove the prong members 35, 40 from the apertures 15.
FIGS. 3-7 illustrate various alternative removable attachments that implement different fitness components to support the modularity and variety that the removable attachment system can offer in tandem with a cage like the cage 1. The removable attachments described with respect to FIGS. 3-7 operate substantially similarly to the removable attachment 20.
Turning first to FIG. 3, an alternative removable attachment 60 is provided where fitness component 65 thereof is a traditional J-shaped bar catch. In FIG. 4, a removable attachment 70 featuring a fitness component 75 embodied as a hand grip that may be used as a single arm “dip” grip as well. FIG. 5 illustrates yet another alternatively constructed removable attachment 80. The removable attachment 80 includes a safety or spotting mechanism 85. Another removable attachment 90 of FIG. 6 includes a generally parallel dip or pull-up bar system 95.
In FIG. 7, a removable attachment 100 is illustrated that includes a pivotable system 105 having a plurality of apertures 110 on its outer surface or surfaces, similar to the apertures 15 defined by the cage 1. The apertures 110 may allow various removable attachments described herein, weights, or other systems to be secured to the apertures 110 similarly to the manner in which they are secured to the apertures 15. Such apertures 110 of the pivotable system 105 can be slotted, circular, square, or any other suitable shape.
In one embodiment, the pivotable system 105 includes a pivot point 115 or similar connection, such that an arm 120 thereof is capable of rotating about a certain axis relative to the rest of the pivotable system 105 (and the vertical member 5). The pivotable system 105 can generally rotate in a vertical manner relative to the ground, including through 180 degrees of rotation, such that the pivotable system 105 can begin and end in generally vertical alignments when progressing through its full range of rotation.
In another embodiment (not illustrated), the pivotable system 105 can generally rotate in a horizontal manner relative to the ground, including through 360 degrees of rotation, such that the pivotable system 105 can define a generally circular plane of rotation that is axially aligned and concentric with the vertical member 5 to which the removable attachment 100 may be coupled.
In various embodiments, the removable attachments may be appropriately sized and shaped for alternative systems. For example, a removable attachment can have square members formed from rigid metal (and/or other appropriate materials). Different embodiments may include differently shaped (e.g., round, square, rectangular, oval, etc.) removable attachments. They also may be sized differently (and/or different thicknesses of and/or types of materials may be chosen) based on the loads expected to be supported by the members (and/or other components of the system).
An additional alternatively constructed removable attachment 125 is provided in FIG. 8. The removable attachment 125 generally may include an upright receiver portion 130, tie-off portion 135, and slidable engagement member 140. To secure the removable attachment 125 to the vertical member 5 (or horizontal member 10 in alternative uses), one may place the upright receiver portion 130 such that arm members 145, 150 thereof are positioned on opposite sides of the vertical member 5. So that the upright receiver portion 130 does not damage the vertical member 5, its interior may include bumper members 155. After placing the upright receiver portion 130 such that arm members 145, 150 thereof are positioned on opposite sides of the vertical member 5, a user may push the slidable engagement member 140 inwardly. The slidable engagement member 140 preferably extends through the tie-off portion 135 before extending through apertures 15 of the vertical member 5 and subsequently hole members 160 in the upright receiver portion 130. When the engagement member 130 is received in the apertures 15 and the hole members 160, the removable attachment 125 may be sufficiently secured to the vertical member 5 to allow a user to make use of the tie-off portion 135, for example by tying a rope 165 thereto. In alternative embodiments, the tie-off portion 135 may be replaced by another fitness component including but not limited to those set forth above.
In another embodiment shown in use in FIG. 9, a slidable positioning system 170 for accessories and implements associated with a weight rack 1 is provided that can be slidably coupled with a weight rack or gym system such as the cage 1, including a vertical member 5 or horizontal member 10 thereof. Thereafter, a removable attachment may be attached thereto, as embodied by an example removable attachment 172 that operates as hand grips.
The slidable positioning system 170 may include multiple structures for locking the system 170 in place. FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate one such structure. More particularly, a pivotable engaging arm 175 may be provided that can lock and unlock the slidable positioning system 170 to allow and prevent movement thereof, respectively. FIG. 10 shows the arm 175 in the first, locked position, and FIG. 11 shows the arm 175 in the second, unlocked position. The arm 175 as illustrated may generally include a first arm segment 180 and a second arm segment 185 that are pivotably connected to one another. An upper pin 190 and a lower pin 195 (both of which may be fixed internally to a carriage member 200 to which the arm 175 is attached, or another fixed surface) may be received in slots 205, 210, in the upper pin 190 and the lower pin 195, respectively.
In the locked position of FIG. 10, the pins 190, 195 abut the upper and lower portions of the slots 205, 210, respectively. In this configuration, the arm 175 and its segments 180, 185 are pivoted inwardly toward the vertical member 5. The tension created by the pins 190, 195 within the slots 205, 210 is preferably sufficiently tight to keep the slidable positioning system 170 from moving upwardly or downwardly. In alternative embodiments, the rotation may be prevented, for example, by a prong (not illustrated) that is formed from the arm 175 that extends into an aperture 15 of the vertical member 5. Alternatively, any single component of the arm 175 may abut a portion of the vertical member 5 when it is in the locked position sufficiently to prevent movement of the slidable positioning system 170.
To unlock the slidable positioning system 170 as illustrated in FIG. 11, one may pull upwardly on a handle 215 of the second arm segment 185. In doing so, the first and second arm segments 180, 185 may rotate about a pivot point 220. The pins 190, 195 may then move inwardly within the slots 205, 210 such that they abut the lower and upper portions of the slots 205, 210, respectively. This eliminates the tension in the arm 175 such that the positioning system 170 is no longer held in place by the position of the arm 175. After the handle 215 has been pulled upwardly to unlock the positioning system 170, a user may disengage the system 170 to permit upward and downward movement of the positioning system 170 along the vertical member 5.
Turning to FIGS. 12 and 13, when a user wishes to disengage the positioning system 170, he or she may first pull upwardly on a movement inhibitor 225. As the inhibitor 225 itself moves upwardly, a slot member 230 located within the surface of the inhibitor 225 may similarly move upwardly. As the slot member 230 moves upwardly, an extension member 235 on a rear portion of a prong securing device 240 may be directed downwardly and to the left (see FIG. 14). When the prong securing device 240 moves downwardly and to the left, a rear prong portion 245 may disengage from where it was previously releasably engaged with or otherwise coupled to the securing device 240 and swing rearwardly and away from the vertical member 5. As the rear prong portion 245 swings rearwardly, a front prong portion 250 may similarly swing rearwardly. It is the rearward motion of the front prong portion 250 that may uncouple the front prong portion 250 from the aperture 15 in the vertical member 5, thus disengaging the positioning system 170 from the vertical member 5. The front prong portion 250 is illustrated as received in the aperture 15 in FIG. 12 and disengaged from the aperture in FIG. 13 (when the inhibitor 225 has been pulled upwardly).
The rear prong portion 245 and the front prong portion 250 are each preferably attached to a plate member 255 located between the prong portions 245, 250. A spring member 260 may be attached to each of the plate member 255 and the movement inhibitor 225 so that when the inhibitor 225 is moved upwardly, the spring member 260 may bias the prong portions 245, 250 and the plate member 255 away from an aperture 15.
In the position (illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14) where the front prong portion 250 is disengaged from the aperture 15, a user may slide the positioning system 170 upwardly or downwardly along the vertical member 5 (or horizontal member 10 in alternative embodiments). This is preferably carried out while the movement inhibitor 225 is pulled upwardly. When a user reaches a desired height for the positioning system 170, he or she may release the movement inhibitor 225. When this takes place, the weight of the prong securing device 240 may return it to its substantially vertical position, where it may catch (and receive) the rear prong portion 245. The front prong portion 250 is thus also preferably pushed forwardly where it abuts the vertical member 5 until it is in substantial alignment with an aperture 15. At that time, the front prong portion 250 may be received in an aperture 15 (as illustrated in FIG. 12). In this position, the positioning system 170 may be prevented from vertical movement by the front prong portion 250 being engaged with and extending through an aperture 15.
In use, a user can selectively slide the slidable positioning system 170 relative to a rack like the rack 1, including a vertical member 5 thereof, quickly and with ease. For example, if a user desires to conduct various exercises utilizing fitness equipment or implements at various elevations or relative positions, the user can move or pivot the pivotable engaging arm 185 in the second position and move or squeeze the movement inhibitor 225 into the second position. In this manner, the positioning system 170 can freely slide along a portion of the weight rack 1 under the selective choices of a user, including being positioned at a desired location or height of a vertical member 5.
The steps of securing the slidable positioning system 170 relative to the weight rack or gym system, including a vertical or horizontal support thereof described herein can be completed sequentially, such that the movement inhibitor 225 is first moved to the first position and then the pivotable engaging arm 185 is moved to the second position, or simultaneously.
In one embodiment, two slidable positioning systems 170 for accessories and implements associated with a weight rack like the rack 1 can be provided. The presence of multiple slidable positioning systems 170 can allow for a user to conduct multiple, different exercises simultaneously or in quick succession. Further, the presence of multiple slidable positioning systems 170 can allow for more than one user to conduct the same or different exercises simultaneously.
From the foregoing, it will be seen that the various embodiments of the present invention are well adapted to attain all the objectives and advantages hereinabove set forth together with still other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the present structures. It will be understood that certain features and sub-combinations of the present embodiments are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations. Since many possible embodiments of the present invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, it is also to be understood that all disclosures herein set forth or illustrated in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative only and not limiting. The various constructions described above and illustrated in the drawings are presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the concepts, principles and scope of the present invention.
Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the present invention will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and the accompanying drawings. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention which is limited only by the claims which follow.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A fitness equipment accessory for use with a weight rack, the accessory comprising:

at least two mounting prongs configured to fit within apertures of the weight rack; and

a pivotable securing member comprising a securing surface for receiving a portion of the weight rack and for preventing the transverse movement of the accessory when the two mounting prongs are received within apertures the weight rack.

2. The accessory of claim 1, wherein when the securing member is in a first position, the accessory is unattached to the weight rack, and when the securing member is in a second position, the accessory is attached to the weight rack.

3. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the accessory includes a fitness component for carrying out or supporting an exercise.

4. The accessory of claim 3, wherein the fitness component is at least one of a hook, handle, grip, and bar.

5. The accessory of claim 1, wherein an interior surface of the pivotable securing member includes one or more bumper members.

6. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the at least two mounting prongs are generally parallel to one another.

7. A modular fitness system, the system comprising:

a weight rack including at least one of a vertical member having apertures and a horizontal member including apertures; and

at least one fitness equipment accessory, the accessory including:

at least one prong member receivable within an aperture of the vertical member or an aperture of the horizontal member;

a fitness component for carrying out or supporting an exercise; and

a securing member that is rotatable such that when the at least one prong member is received within an aperture of the vertical member or an aperture of the horizontal member, and the securing member is rotated, an interior surface of the securing member abuts a surface of the weight rack.

8. The accessory of claim 7, wherein when the securing member is in a first position, the accessory is unattached to the weight rack, and when the securing member is in a second position, the accessory is attached to the weight rack.

9. The accessory of claim 7, wherein the fitness component is at least one of a hook, handle, grip, and bar.

10. The accessory of claim 7, wherein the interior surface of the securing member includes one or more bumper members.

11. The accessory of claim 7, wherein the accessory includes at least two prong members.

12. The accessory of claim 11, wherein the at least two prong members are substantially parallel to one another.

13. A slidable positioning system for accessories and implements associated with a weight rack, the positioning system comprising:

a front prong member receivable within an aperture of a support member of a weight rack, wherein the front prong member is pivotable between an engaged position and a disengaged position;

a rear prong member opposite the front prong member; and

a movement inhibitor that is operable between a first position and a second position such that when the movement inhibitor is in a first position, the front prong member is prevented from pivoting to the disengaged position.

14. The positioning system of claim 13, further comprising a prong securing device in which the rear prong member is selectively engageable.

15. The positioning system of claim 14, wherein the prong securing device is in mechanical communication with the movement inhibitor such that when the movement inhibitor is in the second position, the prong securing device is in a second position.

16. The positioning system of claim 15, wherein when the prong securing device is in the second position, the front prong member is in the disengaged position.

17. The positioning system of claim 13, further comprising a pivotable engaging arm, and wherein when the pivotable engaging arm is in a first position, the positioning system is prevented from sliding along a portion of the weight rack.

18. The positioning system of claim 13, further comprising a pivotable engaging arm, and wherein when the pivotable engaging arm is in a second position, the positioning system can slide along a portion of the weight rack.

19. The positioning system of claim 13, wherein the rear prong member and the front prong member are attached to one another via a plate member.

20. The positioning system of claim 13, wherein the rear prong member and the front prong member are integrally formed with one another.