Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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MULTIPURPOSE EXERCISE APPARATUS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to exercise equipment, and
more particularly, to a multipurpose apparatus that allows the user to perform
a
variety of exercises. More specifically, the invention relates to a portable
exercise
device that includes resistive elements for attachment to the body of the
device.
Even more specifically, the invention relates to exercise devices where the
resistive
elements may be attached at a plurality of locations on the body of the
device.
BACKGROUND
Various exercise machines that allow the user to work out varied
portions of the body are well known in the art of athletic equipment. Many
exercise
devices, including the present invention, utilise resistive elements to
provide tension
against which the user works. All of these devices have their drawbacks, one
of
which is the difficulty of storage and in the trouble that people of varied
sizes, ages,
skill levels, and strength have in exercising with the same machine. The
present
invention seeks to address these concerns and also provide a multipurpose
exercise
machine that is low in cost to manufacture and produce.
During a search at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, a number of
relevant patents were uncovered and they will be discussed below.
U.S. Patent No. 2,676,015 issued to William F. Courtney on April 20,
1954 discloses an exercising table with a handgrip. This is clearly unlike the
present
invention in that there is no teaching of either the storage compartment of
the
present invention or of the clip rings for the elastic bands.
In U.S. Patent No. 4,492,376 issued to Jack M. Schatz et al. on
January 8, 1985 there is taught a lower extremity exerciser. The exerciser
involves
tubes that fit into pegs and elastic straps that fit around the tubes to
provide
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resistance. There is no teaching of the present invention's clip rings, nor of
the
adjustable hinged support and storage compartments in the body of the
invention.
U.S. Patent No. 5,232,426 issued to Villem J. Van Straaten on
August 3, 1993 discloses a exercising machine. This is clearly dissimilar from
the
present invention in that no elastic bands or attachment rings are taught.
Another Patent of interest is U.S. Patent No. 4,508,341 issued to
Michael R. Carrington on April 2, 1985. This teaches a pass blocking sled with
a
elongated pivoting arm, an impacting surface, and a compressible spring. As in
the
above patents, there is no teaching of the various clip rings and elastic
bands of the
instant invention.
In U.S. Patent No. 5,681,249 issued to Ken Endelman on October 28,
1997 there is disclosed a convertible exercise apparatus. Unlike the present
invention, no clip rings or storage compartment is taught.
Next is U.S. Patent No. 5,697,870 issued to Mellisa Osborn on
December 16, 1997. This is a portable stepping exerciser with storage
compartments. Unlike the present invention, there is no hinge to allow various
angles between the main surface area and the storage area.
Another patent of interest is U.S. Patent No. 5,542,898 issued to
William T. Wilkinson on August 6, 1996. This multifunction exercise and
aerobic
bench is dissimilar from the present invention in that there is no teaching of
either
the clip rings or the centrally mounted pivoting adjustment rod of the instant
invention.
Lastly, U.S. Patent No. 5,575,742 issued to Tien-Lai Wu on November
19, 1996 discloses a multipurpose exercise apparatus. Unlike the present
invention,
there is no teaching of the various clip rings or the pivotal adjustment rod.
Thus, while the foregoing body of prior art indicates it to be well known
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to use various configurations of resistive elements and pivoting sections in
the
exercise device art, the provision of this more simple and cost effective
device is not
contemplated. Nor does the prior art described above teach or suggest a
multipurpose exercise apparatus which may be used by individuals of varying
skill
and strength levels, as well as people of varying ages. In the existing art,
many of
the devices are expensive to manufacture and are bulky.
SUMMARY
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a
multipurpose exercise apparatus comprising:
a main body having a first end, a second end, a first side, a second
side, a bottom, and a top, said main body having a longitudinal axis, said
longitudinal
axis being parallel to said first side and said second side;
said top including a hinge means, said hinge means located
perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, said hinge means defining a storage
section
proximate said first end of said main body and a main section proximate said
second
end of said main body;
said hinge means further dividing said top into a storage section top
and a main section top such that either said storage section top or said main
section
top can be moved radially about said hinge means to provide access to either
said
storage section or said main section;
a plurality of elastic resistive elements;
a plurality of ring clips on both said first side and said second side of
said main body; and
detachable engagement means for attaching said elastic resistive
elements to said ring clips;
whereby a user attaches said elastic resistive elements to said
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engagement points on said main body and by choosing predetermined of said ring
clips may perform a variety of exercises.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided
a multipurpose exercise apparatus comprising:
a main body having a first end, a second end, a first side, a second
side, a bottom, and a top, said main body having a longitudinal axis, said
longitudinal
axis being parallel to said first side and said second side;
said top including a hinge means, said hinge means located
perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, said hinge means defining a storage
section
proximate said first end of said main body and a main section proximate said
second
end of said main body;
said hinge means further dividing said top into a storage section top
and a main section top such that either said storage section top or said main
section
top can be moved radially about said hinge means to provide access to either
said
storage section or said main section;
and where said main body further includes a pivoting arm assembly,
said pivoting arm assembly comprising:
a pivot arm base engagement section extending laterally
between said first side and said second side of said main body and rotatably
engageable therewith;
a pivot arm engagement section, adjustably engageable with
said main section top, where said main section top includes a plurality of
pivot arm
engagement apertures for engaging said pivot arm engagement section, such that
said main section top, when rotated around said hinge, may be fixed at a
predetermined angle in relation to said main body:
a plurality of elastic resistive elements;
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a plurality of engagement points on both said first side and said second
side of said main body; and
detachable engagement means for attaching said elastic resistive
elements to said engagement points;
whereby a user attaches said elastic resistive elements to said ring
clips on said main body and by choosing predetermined of said engagement
points,
may perform a variety of exercises.
According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a
multipurpose exercise apparatus comprising:
a main body having a first end, a second end, a first side, a second
side, a bottom, and a top, said main body having a longitudinal axis, said
longitudinal
axis being parallel to said first side and said second side;
said top including a hinge means, said hinge means located
perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, said hinge means defining a storage
section
proximate said first end of said main body and a main section proximate said
second
end of said main body;
said hinge means further dividing said top into a storage section top
and a main section top such that either said storage section top or said main
section
top can be moved radially about said hinge means to provide access to either
said
storage section or said main section;
said main section top including a depending lip, said depending lip
nested in said main body;
a plurality of elastic resistive elements;
a plurality of ring clips on said first side of said main body and said
second side of said main body and said depending lip; and
detachable engagement means for attaching said elastic resistive
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elements to said ring clips;
whereby a user attaches said elastic resistive elements to said
engagement points on said main body and by choosing predetermined of said ring
clip, may perform a variety of exercises.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided
a multipurpose exercise apparatus comprising:
a generally trapezoidally shaped main body having a first end, a
second end, a first side, a second side, a bottom, and a top, said main body
having
a longitudinal axis, said longitudinal axis being parallel to said first side
and said
second side;
said top including a hinge means, said hinge means located
perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, said hinge means defining a first
storage
section proximate said first end of said main body and a second storage
section
proximate said second end main body;
said hinge means further dividing said top into a forward section top
and a rearward section top such that either said forward section top or said
rearward
section top can be moved radially a about said hinge means to provide access
to
either said first storage section or said second storage section;
a main section top including a depending lip, said depending lip,
nested in said main body;
a plurality of elastic resistive elements;
a plurality of ring clips on said first side of said main body end said
second side of said main body and on said depending lip; and
detachable engagement means for attaching said elastic resistive
elements to said ring clips;
whereby a user attaches said elastic resistive elements to said ring
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clips on said main body and by choosing predetermined of said ring clips, to
perform
a variety of exercises.
According to yet a further aspect of the present invention there is
provided a multipurpose exercise apparatus comprising:
a generally trapezoidally shaped main body having a first end, a
second end, a first side, a second side, a bottom, and a top, said main body
having
a longitudinal axis, said longitudinal axis being parallel to said first side
and said
second side;
said top including a hinge means, said hinge means located
perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, said hinge means defining a first
storage
section proximate said first end of said main body and a second storage
section
proximate said second end of said main body;
said hinge means further dividing said top into a forward section top
and a rearward section top such that either said forward section top or said
rearward
section top can be moved radially about said hinge means to provide access to
either said first storage section or said second storage section;
a plurality of elastic resistive elements;
a plurality of ring clips on said first side of said main body and said
second side of said main body; and
detachable engagement means for attaching said elastic resistive
elements to said ring clips;
whereby a user attaches said elastic resistive elements to said ring
clips on said main body and by choosing predetermined of said ring clips, may
perform a variety of exercises.
To achieve the foregoing and other advantages, the present invention,
briefly described, provides a multipurpose exercise device with a generally
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rectangular, box-like main body. The top surface of the body is hinged
transversely
to create a storage container and an adjustable section that can be fixed at
various
angles in relation to the main body by using a pivotal adjustment arm
extending the
bottom of the box-like body. In the first embodiment, a plurality of clip
rings is
provided along both the side of the box-like main body and a depending inner
lip of
the adjustable upper section. The user may attach resistive elements to
various of
these clip rings to allow for a wide variety of different exercises. The
resistive
elements may be colour coded to indicate greater or lesser resistance. The
resistive
elements are stored in the provided storage container within the main body
when the
apparatus is not in use. In a second embodiment, there is no depending inner
lip on
the pivoting sections. It has also been contemplated that the bench will be
able to
be placed upon risers to permit the user to employ the bench as a step for
aerobics
activity.
In a further embodiment, the device is generally an elongated
rectangular box with a top side, a bottom side, a right side, a left side, a
front side
and a back side. The box tapers from the topside to the bottom side, giving it
a
trapezoidal configuration. The top side includes a transverse hinge forming a
first
adjustable section and a second adjustable section. The first section may be
rotated
about the hinge and be fixed at various angles by a pivotal adjustment arm.
The first
,section is also known as the upper dock or front deck. The second section may
be
referred to as a rear dock, The front dock is secured to the front side by a
carriage
pin. The upper deck has a top side and a bottom side. The top side of the
upper
dock includes a non-stick surface. When the first carriage pin is removed, the
upper
dock may be rotated about the hinge, permitting access to a first area.
The front deck bottom side has a plurality of receiving apertures
centrally disposed thereon. Further, the upper dock bottom side has vertical
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sidewalls perpendicular the deck and defining the upper dock bottom side's
perimeter. The vertical sidewalls have an outer face to which a plurality of
colour
coded ring clips are disposed. The plurality of colour coded ring clips are
recessed
into the outer face of the vertical side walls. The vertical sidewalls further
nest within
the right side, the left side and the front side. The right vertical sidewall
and the left
vertical sidewall have a first and second a aperture respectively which are
designed
to receive either the combat or the extension bar therethrough. This can occur
when
the upper deck is in an angled rotation or when the upper deck laying flat,
with the
vertical sidewalls nested.
The first area includes a bar whose first side is hingedly attached to the
interior of the bottom side. The bar's second side is designed to be received
in any
one of the plurality of a apertures, located on the upper deck's bottom side.
This
keeps the upper dock open any one of a variety of angles. The first area also
stores
a variety of equipment. A first bar called a combat and a second bar called an
extension bar are secured in the first area. A wheel to be used with the
combat is
secured in the first area. A mat made of an elastomeric foam material is also
located in the first area. The combat, extension bar and wheel are utilized to
perform a variety of exercises which will be discussed later.
The second section may also be rotated about the hinge and may be
secured in an angular position by a seat riser. The second section is also
known as
the seat. The seat is secured to the back side by a second carriage pin. When
the
first and second carriage pins are removed, they are designed to be placed on
the
and of the extension bar. The second interior area located under the second
section
holds a power harness, cable ties and elastic elements.
A plurality of color coded ring clips are present on the right side, the left
side, the front side and the back side of the device. These color coded ring
clips are
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recessed as well and residue on the tapered side walls. The color coded ring
clips
are designed to be connected to the power harness. A plurality of other color
coded
elements are located atop the front deck and the rear deck.
The power harness includes a handle, a plurality of elastic elements, a
carabineer and a trigger clip. The elastic elements are conventionally secured
intermediate the handle and the carabineer. The carabineer in turn is affixed
to the
trigger clip. The trigger clip easily affixes to any of the plurality of ring
clips located
on the device. A variety of exercises can therefore be performed by using one
or
both power harnesses.
The above brief description sets forth rather broadly the more
important features of the present invention in order that the detailed
description
thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present
contributions to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course,
additional
features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will
form the
subject matter of the Claims appended hereto.
In this respect, before explaining the invention in detail, it is to be
understood that the invention is not limited In its application to the details
of the
construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the
following
description or illustrate in the drawings. The invention is capable of other
embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it
is to
be understood, that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for
the
purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception,
upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for
designing
other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes
of the
present invention. It is important, therefore, that the Claims be regarded as
including
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such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit
and scope
of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate exemplary
embodiments of the present invention:
Figure 1 is a partial cutaway side view of the first embodiment of the
invention, showing the pivotal arm engaged with the apertures on the bottom
surface
of the hinged main section.
Figure 2 is a partial cutaway view taken along line 2-2 of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a side view of the first embodiment of the invention with
both the main hinged section and the storage section closed.
Figure 4 is a side view of the first embodiment of the invention.
Figure 5 is a cutaway view taken along line 5-5 of Figure 4.
Figure 6 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the
invention.
Figure 7 is a front view showing a user doing a back exercise with the
instant invention.
Figure 8 is a side view of a user doing a chest strengthening exercise
using the instant invention.
Figure 9 is a side view of a user doing a rowing type exercise using the
present invention.
Figure 10 is a perspective view showing a further embodiment of the
multipurpose exercise apparatus with it's front deck open.
Figure 11 is a second perspective view of the multipurpose exercise
apparatus of Figure 10 with both the front and rear decks in the open
position.
Figure 12 is a side view of the embodiment of Figure 10 with the front
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deck open.
Figure 13 is a view of the multipurpose exercise apparatus of Figure 10
showing the front storage area and some of the components located therein.
Figure 14 is a view of the extension bar for the apparatus of Figure 10.
Figure 15 is a view of the combar for the apparatus of Figure 10.
Figure 16 is a view of a carriage pin for the apparatus of Figure 10.
Figure 17 is a view of the power harness for the apparatus of Figure
10.
Figure 18 shows the multipurpose exercise apparatus according to the
embodiment of Figure 10 with both the front deck and the rear deck in a closed
and
secured position.
Figure 19 shows a user performing an exercise involving the extension
bar and the power harness.
Figure 20 shows a user performing an exercise involving the ankle
harness and the power harness.
Figure 21 shows a user performing an exercise involving the wheel
and the combar.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
With reference now to the drawings, a multipurpose exercise
apparatus embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention will
be
described.
Referring initially to Figures 1 to 5, the invention is indicated generally
by reference numeral 10. The top T of the main box-like body 12 is hinged as
indicated at 14. The hinge 14 extends transversely perpendicular to the
longitudinal
axis L (seen in Figure 5) to divide the main box-like body into a storage
section 16
and a main section 18. The location of this hinge can be more clearly seen in
the
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perspective view of a slightly modified version of the invention (Figure 6),
the hinges
being substantially identical in both versions.
Pin 80 secures the hinge 14A about the rotation axis. Pin 80 is
received within a hinge aperture which goes from a first side of the bench to
a
second side of the bench. The pin 80 is secured on the second side by a push
nut
or other appropriate fastening means.
The hinge 14 also divides the top T into storage section top 17 and
main section top 19. It is contemplated that the uppermost surface of the top
T
would be made of or coated with a material having a high friction coefficient,
such as
textured rubber or the like. The top T should be of sufficient thickness to
support the
weight of an individual, as will be discussed further below.
The main box-like body 12 has a first end 20 and a second end 22.
First end 20 is proximate the storage section 16 and second end 22 is
proximate the
main section 18. Main box-like body 12 also has a first side 24 and a second
side
26 distal from one another. Bottom 28 is designed to rest on a planar surface
and
the main box-like body 12 has a sufficient depth 30 to hold both the stored
resistive
elements 32 (discussed further below).
Attached to and resting in the main section 18 of the main box like
body 12 is the pivoting arm assembly 34. This assembly engages with and
maintains a desired angle of the main section top 19 in relation to the main
box-like
body 12. As can be best seen in Figures 1 and 2, the pivoting arm assembly 34
is
generally T-shaped having a pivot arm base 36 and a pivot arm engagement
section
38. Pivot arm base 36 engages the pivot arm base apertures 40 in first side 24
and
second side within main section 18 of the box-like main body 12. This is best
seen
in Figure 2, though only one of the pivot arm base apertures 40 is shown, it
should
be understood that its complementary aperture is substantially the same.
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On the underside 42 of the main section top 19 are a plurality of pivot
arm engagement apertures 44. These are configured such that they will receive
the
end 46 of the pivot arm engagement section 38. As is shown in Figures 1 and 4,
this
allows the user to set a desired angle of the main section top 19 in relation
to the
main body 12.
The discussion now turns to the means used to attach the resistive
elements 32 to the device 10. In the versions of the invention described
herein, this
is accomplished by ring clips 48. Referring to Figure 6, where the attachment
means is shown most clearly, it can be seen that the ring clips 48 are
generally
circular and are attached to the main body 12 by generally U-shaped clips 50.
The
ring clips 60 are located in recessed areas of the main body 12. It is
contemplated
that these U-shaped clips 50 would be sized and configured such that the ring
clips
48 could smoothly rotate through them. Note that these ring clips 48 are
located on
both body first end and second end 20, 22 and both body first side and second
side
24, 26. In both embodiments shown herein, the ring clips 48 on each of the
sides
number four and the ring clips 48 on each of the first and second ends number
two.
It should be emphasised that the number of ring clips attached to the main box-
like
body 12 is variable and that the number depicted in the figures is for
illustrative
purposes only.
In the first version, seen in Figures 1 to 5 there is a depending lip 52
extending from the underside 42 of the main section top 19. As is shown in
Figure
4, this depending lip 52 also has attached to it a pair of ring clips 48,
attached by the
U-shaped clips, generally similar to those described above. Turning to Figure
6,
illustrating a slightly different version of the invention, the depending lip
52 and its
attendant ring clips and U-shaped clips, are omitted.
Also best seen in Figure 6 are the resistive elements 32. In the
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embodiments described herein, these each consist of a grip portion 54, an
elastic
portion 56, and a ring clip engagement portion 58. It is contemplated that the
ring
clip engagement portion 58 would utilise a spring loaded snap ring, as seen
indicated at 60, or some other type of known, easily manipulatable engagement
means. The grip portion as shown is a loop of material 62 having a tube of
stiff
material 64 placed over it to allow a user to grasp it firmly without
slipping. The
contemplated material to be used in the elastic portion 56 would be rubber
tubing,
though of course any number of materials, such as springs, could be utilised.
The resistive elements may include a length adjustment feature to
permit them to be lengthened or shortened. When the resistive elements are not
in
use, they may be stored in the storage section 16 of the main body 12 of the
present
invention. This lowers the possibility of them being misplaced. Furthermore,
though
only two of these resistive elements 32 are seen in the Figures, it should be
understood that more could be supplied and utilised at the same time. By
virtue of
the unique construction of the instant invention, more than one person could
conceivably use it at once, due to the plurality of ring clips 48 attached the
body 12
and in the first version to the depending lip 52 of the main section top 19.
The unique construction of the present invention also allows for a wide
variety of exercises to be performed by the user. In Figure 6 it can be seen a
user,
by standing on the main body 12, can do back strengthening routines. In Figure
8 it
can be seen that, by sitting on the storage section top 17 and leaning back
against
the main section top 19, chest strengthening routines can be done. Note the
wide
variety of angles that the plurality of ring clips 48 allow for. By attaching
the resistive
elements 32 to various sets of opposing ring clamps 48, specific muscle groups
can
be targeted. In Figure 9, a rowing type routine is pictured. Note that the box-
like
main body can also be used as a aerobic stepping box by and of itself. Various
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lengths of resistive elements could be supplied with the device to provide
viable
exercise routines for people of all sizes, ages, and strength levels.
With respect to the above description, it should be realised that the
optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include
variations
in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly
and use,
are deemed readily apparent and obvious to those skilled in the art, and
therefore,
all relationships equivalent to those illustrated in the drawings and
described in the
specification are intended to be encompassed only by the scope of appended
Claims.
Turning now to the remaining Figures, a further embodiment of the
exercise apparatus is illustrated. Referring initially to Figures 10, 11, 12
and 13 the
multipurpose exercise apparatus 210 and its accouterments are shown. The
multipurpose exercise apparatus 210 is a generally trapezoidal box like body
212.
The multipurpose exercise apparatus 210 targets individual muscles
for workout. It may come in a variety of sizes to accommodate people with
different
physiques and ages.
The box-like body 212 has a right side 214, a left side 216, a back side
218, a front side 220, and a bottom side 222. The bottom side 222 which co-
acts
with the floor may have a non-slip surface. The top side is comprised of a
front deck
224 and a rear deck 226 which are connected by a hinge 228. The front deck 224
and the rear deck 226 independently rotate about the hinge 228. The rear deck
226
generally acts as a seat for the user and the front deck 224 would generally
support
the back of the user although other configurations are possible. The hinge 228
marks a separation in the interior of the box like body 212 between a forward
storage area 230 and a rear storage area 232. The front deck 224 includes a
handle
or a cut-out 215 to permit ease of openings. A handle for carrying the
multipurpose
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exercise apparatus 210 may be located on the right side 214 or the left side
216.
For ergonomic purposes the handle should be centrally located and may be
padded.
The rear storage area 232 is located below the rear deck 226. Access
to the rear storage area 232 is provided by lifting the rear deck 226 which
rotates
about the hinge 228. A seat riser 231 is located below the rear deck 226. The
seat
riser 231 permits the rear deck 226 to be maintained open at an angle as best
shown in Figure 11. The rear storage area 232 may store any of the
accouterments
which accompany the multipurpose exercise apparatus 210. This includes straps
and other devices which may permit the elastic resistance elements 302 to be
affixed to a human leg, arm, neck, head or the like.
The front deck 224 includes a upper side, a lower side 237 and a
perimeter. The front deck 224 lower side 237 includes an inside right side
236, an
inside left side 238 and an inside front side 240 which are oriented
perpendicularly
about the perimeter 239 and nest within the forward storage area 230.
The right side 214, the left side 216, the back side 218, the front side
220, the inside right side 236, the inside left side 238 and the inside front
side 240 all
have an outwardly facing surface and an inwardly facing surface. The outwardly
facing surface of all of the aforementioned side elements have a plurality of
ring clips
234 mounted thereon at discrete intervals from each other. Each ring clip 234
is
recessed 244 into the outwardly facing surface of a respective one of the
right side
214, the left side 216, the back side 218, the front side 220, the inside
right side 236,
the inside left side 238 and the inside front side 240. The ring clips 234 on
the
outside sides, i.e. the right side 214, the left side 216, the back side 218
and the
front side 220 are on a sloped surtace due to the trapezoidal configuration of
the
multipurpose exercise apparatus 210.
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CA 02354216 2004-09-17
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The recesses 244 are colour coded according to their position. The
ring clips 234 are designed to have power harness 300 attached thereto, The
power
harness 300 has an attachment means 305 for attaching the harness 300 to the
ring
clip 234, a resistance element 302, and a handle portion 304. The mechanical
configuration of the power harness 300 will be discussed in the description of
Figure
17.
The ring clips 234 are generally circular and are affixed in such a
manner to the sides so that they may rotate out of the recesses. They have a
wide
range of motion. Other means to attach the power harness 300 may be provided.
Any mechanical element which has sufficient material properties (tensile
strength,
elasticity, etc) and a portion which a carabineer, clip, or other attachment
means
may affix to could be employed. The colour coding is used with an instruction
manual or the like to aid the user in performing different exercises.
The right side 214 is chosen to have four ring clips thereon, the four
ring clips being equidistant. The left side is chosen to have four ring clips
thereon,
the four ring clips again being equidistant. The ring clips on the right side
214 are
collinear with the ring clips on the left side 216. Additionally, the inside
right side 236
is chosen to have three ring clips thereon, the three ring clips being
equidistant. The
inside left side 238 also is chosen to have three ring clips thereon, the
three ring
clips again being equidistant. The ring clips on the inside right side 236 are
collinear
with the ring clips on the inside left side 238. The back side 218 is chosen
to have
two ring clips thereon. The front side 220 is chosen to have two ring clips.
The
inside front side 240 Is also chosen to have two ring clips.
Each ring clip is associated with a recess 244 and each recess has a
color associated with it. The recesses 244 on the back side 218 are chosen to
both
be a first colour. The recesses 244 on the front side 220 are chosen to be a
second
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colour. The recesses 244 on the inside front side 240 are chosen to be a third
colour. It has been considered that the colours located on the recesses 244 of
the
back side 218, the front side 220, and the inside front side 240 may be
different
colours.
The right side 214 and the left side 216 each have four ring clips.
Each ring clip which is the right side 214 is directly across from or
collinear with the
ring clip on the left side 216. Each one of the co-linear pairs of ring clips
are a
different colour. Starting from the back side 218 and going to the front side
220
gives us the following. Since there are four ring clips, there is a fourth
colour
associated with the first pair of ring clips, a fifth colour with the second
pair of ring
clips, a sixth colour with the third pair of ring clips, and a seventh colour
associated
with the fourth pair of ring clips.
The inner right side 236 and the inner left side 238 each have three
ring clips. Each ring clip which is on the inner right side 236 is directly
across from
or collinear with the ring clip on the inner left side 238. Again, each one of
the
collinear pairs of ring clips are a different colour. Starting from the hinge
228 and
going to the inside front side 240 gives us the following. Since there are
three
additional pairs of ring clips located here, there is an eighth colour
associated with
the fifth pair of ring clips, a ninth colour associated with the sixth pair of
ring clips,
and a tenth colour associated with the seventh pair of ring clips. The colours
which
may be used may be, but are not limited to, red, yellow, green, blue, orange,
and
white. By affixing the power harness 300 to any of a variety of colour coded
clip
rings 234 a very wide range of exercises may be performed.
The rear deck 226 has an upper side 221 and a lower side 223. A
plurality of colour coded elements 246 are provided on the upper side 221. The
colour coded elements 246 are the same colour as the ring clip recesses which
are
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CA 02354216 2004-09-17
-20-
closest to the colour coded elements 246. Therefore the pair of colour coded
elements closest to the back side 218 are also a first colour. The pair of
colour
coded elements closest to the right side 214 and the left side 216 are a
fourth colour.
The front deck 224 has an upper side 235 and a lower side 237. A
plurality of colour coded elements 246 are provided on the upper side 235. The
colour coded elements 246 are the same colour as the ring clip recesses which
are
closest to the colour coded elements 246.
The plurality of colour coded elements 246 located on the front deck
224 and the rear deck 226 permits the user to know where to hook up the power
harness 300 as well as where to place their feet when doing step style or
other
exercises.
The front deck 224 may be held in any of a plurality of upright positions
by bar 250. The front deck 224 lower side 237 has a plurality of apertures 252
centrally disposed thereon which receive an end portion of bar 250. Apertures
252
are colour coded as well, as different exercises are performed when the front
deck
224 is at different angles. In this fashion, the front deck 224 may be held in
any of a
variety of angles with respect to the rear deck 226. Bar 250 is pivotal and
resides in
the forward storage area 230. Both the upper side 221 of the rear deck 226 and
the
upper side 235 of the front deck 224 has a textured surface 254.
Referring now to Figures 12 and 13, some of the other features of the
multipurpose exercise apparatus 210 are shown. A pair of riser elements 225
may
be placed under the bottom side 222 to raise the multipurpose exercise
apparatus
210. This increases the flexibility of the apparatus 210 and permits different
exercises and people of different sizes to easily employ the apparatus in
their
workouts. This particularly would be employed when the user is performing step
type exercises.
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The forward storage area 230 further holds the extension bar 260, a
combat 270, and a wheel 280. The extension bar 260 and combat 270 may be
stored parallel to each other and above the wheel 280 in the forward storage
area
230. Other materials may be stored in the forward storage area 230. This
includes
straps and other devices which may permit the elastic resistance elements 302
to be
affixed to a human leg, arm, neck, head or the like. A foam pad may also be
stored
in the forward storage area 230. The foam pad is generally rectangular and is
designed to be placed stop the front deck 224 and the rear deck 226. The foam
pad
increases the comfort of the user while performing exercises. Means to attach
the
foam pad to the front deck 224 are provided. This attachment means may be an
elastic cord or co-operating hook and loop fasteners. The pad is stored in the
forward storage area 230, where it is retained by an elastic loop.
A first cut-out 236A is located on the inside right side 236. A second
cut-out 238A is located on the inside left side 238. The first cut-out 236A is
collinear
with the second cut-out 238A. The first cut-out 236A and the second cut-out
238A
are designed to receive the combat 270 therein, preventing the front deck 224
from
being completely closed. This gives the front deck 224 one additional angle to
be
set at for exercises. A third cut-out 240A is located on the inside front side
240. The
third cut-out 240A is designed to permit the bar 250 to lie parallel with the
bottom
side 222 when the front deck 224 is closed.
The combat 270 is an elongated bar which has a right side 272 and a
left side 274. A threaded eyelet 275 is secured centrally on the combat 270 on
both
the right side 272 and the left side 274. A first groove 276 is located
proximal the left
side 274. A second groove 278 is located proximal the right side 272. A pair
of
grooves 271 are located centrally on the combat 270. The grooves 276, 278, &
271
are all dimensioned to permit a carabineer to interfit thereon in such a
manner which
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permits rotation of the combar 270 about the carabineer. A pair of end
portions 273
are located on the right side 272 and the left side, 274 of the combar 270.
These
end portions 273 permit the power harness 300 to be affixed to the combar 270.
The grooves located on the combar 270 further give indication where to place
ones
hands and or the wheel when being employed.
The extension bar 260 is a second elongated cylindrical bar which has
a right side 262 and a left side 264. Both the right side 262 and the left
side 264
receive an eye bolt 266 centrally along the centroid of the cylinder. The eye
bolt 266
has an opening to receive a carabineer thereon. A first aperture 267 is
located on
the right side 262 of the extension bar 260. A second aperture 268 Is located
on the
left side 264 of the extension bar 260. The first aperture 262 and the second
aperture 268 each receive a carriage pin 290 therein. The carriage pin 290 may
be
any fastener which meets the dimensional and material requirements. One of the
carriage pins 290 are used to secure the front deck 224 in a closed position.
Another of the carriage pins 290 are used to secure the rear deck 226 in a
closed
position. By always having a specific place for the carriage pin 290 and 292
to be
located, the chance of misplacing them are reduced.
Close to the front side 220 of the multipurpose exercise apparatus 210
is a place to employ the a extension bar 260 in such a manner to permit the
user to
perform additional exercises. A right aperture 310 is located on the right
aids 214
proximal the front side 220. A right inner aperture 312 is located in inside
right side
236 proximal the inside front side 240. A left inner aperture 314 is located
on the
inside left side 238 proximal the inside front side 240. A left aperture 316
is located
on the left side 216 proximal the front side 220. The right aperture 110,
right inner
aperture 312, left inner aperture 314, and left aperture 316 are collinear and
receive
the extension bar 260 therethrough.
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CA 02354216 2004-09-17
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When the extension bar 260 is placed in the collinear apertures (310,
312, 314, 316) the first aperture 267 of the extension bar 260 and the second
aperture 268 of the extension bar 260 are located outside the right side 214
and the
left side 216. The first aperture 267 and second aperture 268 of the extension
bar
260 then receive the carriage pins 290 therein, securing the extension bar 260
in the
collinear apertures (310, 312, 314, 316). The eye bolts 266 of the extension
bar 260
are then able to have the power harness 300 affixed thereto. In addition, when
the
power harness 300 is connected to the ring clips 234 proximal the front side,
the
elastic resistance elements 302 may pass underneath the extension bar 260.
This
shortens the length of the elastic resistance elements 302, increasing the
amount of
force required to perform an exercise.
Referring now to Figure 17, a power harness 300 is shown. The power
harness 300 includes an attachment means 305 on a first side. This attachment
means 305 may be chosen to be a carabineer coupled with a trigger clip. In
this
application, the carabineer is used to designate a user actuated attachment
device,
which may be spring activated. There is an entire group of such devices which
may
be used, any attachment means with the appropriate material properties may be
employed. The user merely opens the attachment means 305 (carabineer, looking
clip, spring clip, or the like) and attaches it to a ring clip 234 or the eye
bolt 266 of
the extension bar 260. The power harness 300 includes a handle 304 on a second
side. Intermediate the attachment means 305 and the handle 304 is an elastic
resistance element 302. The elastic resistance elements 302 are selectively
removably affixed to the carabineer which in turn is attached to the trigger
clip.
The elastic resistance element 302 may be colour coded as well which
would indicate the elasticity thereof. The greater the elasticity of the
elastic
resistance. element 302, the less the force would be required to stretch the
elastic
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CA 02354216 2004-09-17
-24-
resistance element 302 a first distance. The less the elasticity of the
elastic
resistance element 302 the greater the force would be required to stretch the
elastic
resistance element 302 a first distance. The elastic resistance element 302
may be
rubber tubing, bungee cord or the like.
It can clearly be seen that the power harness 300 maybe of any of a
variety of configurations which include, but are not limited to, attachment
rings,
attachment clips, loops, means to adjust length, straps, carabineer style
links, other
linkages, and the like. More than one elastic resistance element 302 may be
employed to increase the resistance. Each elastic resistance element has an
attachment ring located on each side. The attachment rings are mated with clip
attachment devices which on one side will be affixed to a handle at the handle
attachment point, and on the other side may be affixed to a ring. The ring
would be
attached to a second ring by a strap, the strap may be adjustable for length.
The
second ring has a carabineer affixed thereto, this is the attachment means
305.
Further, a device such as a trigger clip may be affixed to the carabineer as
the
attachment means 305. It has been found that such trigger clips work well when
attaching to the ring clips 234.
Figure 18 shows the multipurpose exercise apparatus 210 in its closed
position. The front dock 224 is shown in relation to the rear dock 226,
Figure 19 shows a user performing an exercise on the apparatus 210.
Note how the combar 270 is connected to the extension bar 60 by the elastic
resistance elements 302. The elastic resistance elements 302 are connected to
the
extension bar 260 by a power harness connection means 305. The elastic
resistance elements 302 are connected to the combar 270 by second power
harness
connection means 306. The power harness connection means (305, 306) includes
carabineer and trigger clip elements. Any clip style connection device with
sufficient
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CA 02354216 2004-09-17
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material properties and configuration may be used to connect the power harness
300 to the combar and extension bar or the ring clips 234.
Figure 20 shows a user performing another exercise on the apparatus
210. In this exercise the power harness 300 is connected to a log attachment
harness 308 and a ring clip 234. A first power harness connection means 305 is
secured to a ring clip 234 proximal the front side 220. A second power harness
connection means 306 is connected to the leg attachment harness 308. The leg
attachment harness 308 is attached to the users log. The user is supported by
the
front dock 224. It is clear from this figure that any of a variety of
exercises may be
developed through the use of the leg attachment harness 308. Although not
shown,
other harness devices for affixing the power harness 300 to an arm, the head
or
another ancillary mechanisms may be utilized.
Figure 21 shows a user performing yet another exercise on the
apparatus 210. The wheel 280 is placed in the center of the combar 270. The
extension bar 260 is placed in and secured by carriage pins 290 in apertures
310,
312, 314 and 316. The power harness 300 is connected to the ring clip 234 by a
first power harness connection means 305. The power harness 300 is connected
to
the combar 270 on the end portions of the combar 273 by the second power
harness
connection means 306. The user places their feet 298 on the extension bar 260,
places their hands 296 on the combar, and rolls the wheel 280 from a first
position to
a second position, with the elastic resistance elements 302 providing
resistance.
This is an abdominal roller style workout. It is clear from this figure that
any of a
variety of exercises, may be developed through the use of the extension bar
260, the
combar 270 and the wheel 280. The exercises shown in Figures 6 through 9 can
also be easily accomplished on the multipurpose exercise apparatus 210.
With respect to the above description, it should be realized that the
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CA 02354216 2004-09-17
r
-26-
optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include
variations
in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly
and use,
are deemed readily apparent and obvious to those skilled in the art, and
therefore,
all relationships equivalent to those illustrated in the drawings and
described in the
specification are intended to be encompassed only by the scope of appended
Claims.
While the present invention has been shown in the drawings and fully
described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is
presently
deemed to be the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in
the art that
many modifications thereof may be made without departing from the principles
and
concepts set forth herein. Hence, the proper scope of the present invention
should
be determined only by the broadest interpretation of the appended Claims so as
to
encompass all such modifications and equivalents.
