FITNESS RIG

[0001] This application claims priority benefit to the Jul. 24, 2014 filing date of co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/028,413 for a Fitness Rig, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein in its entirety.

[0002] Fitness rigs are exercise devices, in a variety of configurations to enable one or more individuals to perform a number of different exercises. Depending upon the size of the fitness rig, multiple individuals may perform exercises at the same time.

[0003] Most fitness rigs have a horizontal bar fixed to vertical upstanding posts where the connection between the horizontal bars and the vertical posts are fixed at a predetermined height; although the height of other horizontal bars in the same fitness rig may be fixed at different heights. The different height elevation of a horizontal bar enables the fitness rig to be employed by different height and sized individuals as well to make the degree of difficulty in performing exercises harder or easier.

[0004] However the fixed connections between the horizontal bar and vertical posts, while provided in different heights, still limits the versatility of prior fitness rigs in making a fitness rig available to many different sized, height and weight individuals, as well to provide the ability to perform different exercises by the same individuals or by multiple individuals at the same time.

[0005] A fitness rig including a plurality of vertically extending posts arranged in at least one pair of first and second vertical posts in a first and second vertical plane, a plurality of vertically extending, spaced apertures formed in at least two opposed surfaces of each of the first and second vertical posts, a horizontally extending bar assembly vertically positional to the at least one pair of first and second vertical posts, the assembly including a horizontally extending bar fixed at each opposite end to a connector, each connector complimentary in shape of a shape of the at least one pair of first and second vertical posts so that each connector vertically adjustably surrounds at least a portion of one of the first and second vertical posts, aligned pairs of apertures formed in each connector alignable with the apertures in the first and second vertical posts. A pin mountable through the aligned apertures in one connector and one vertical first and second post and releasably lockable to vertically position the horizontal bar assembly at a predetermined height along the pair of first and second vertical posts.

[0006] The fitness rig includes a lynch pin carrying a pivotal cable releasably lockable around an exposed end of the lynch pin extending through one connector and one of the first and second vertical posts.

[0007] The fitness rig includes a plurality of pairs of vertical posts include a three dimensional, polygonal grid of vertical posts disposed in perpendicular and parallel arranged vertical pairs and planes.

[0008] The fitness rig includes each connector having at least three interconnected sides, complimentary to a peripheral shape of one of the first and second vertical posts, the three interconnected sides of each connector surrounding three surfaces of one of the first and second vertical posts.

[0009] The fitness rig includes the horizontally extending bar and the connectors attached to the horizontally extending bar defining the sole structural connection between the first and second vertical post.

[0010] The fitness rig includes a module including first, second, third, and fourth vertical posts arranged in a spaced polygonal configuration formed of opposed pairs of first, second, third and fourth posts arranged in perpendicular and parallel vertical planes.

[0011] The fitness rig includes a plurality of horizontally extending bar assemblies mounted between spaced pairs of the first, second, third and fourth vertical posts.

[0012] The fitness rig includes each of the plurality of horizontally extending bar assemblies defining a sole structural connection between opposed pairs of the first, second, third, and fourth vertical posts.

[0013] The fitness rig includes fifth and sixth vertical posts spaced in a vertical plane from another pair of the first, second, third and fourth vertical posts. The horizontal bar assembly includes two pairs of co-planar bars, disposed in parallel, connectors mounted on each ends of the co-planar horizontal bars and at an intermediate position between and joining the pair of co-planar bars, a plurality of laterally extending bars joined to and extending between the horizontal bars and spaced along a length of the pairs of horizontal bars.

[0014] The fitness rig includes the first and second bars of each pair of horizontally extending pairs of bars disposed at an interior obtuse angle.

[0015] The fitness rig includes a pair of horizontally extending, parallel spaced bars, connectors mounted on each end of the pair of horizontally extending bars, a plurality of laterally extending bars joined to and extending laterally between the pair of horizontal bars, the laterally extending bars spaced along the length of the pair of horizontal bars.

[0016] The fitness rig includes a pair of tubular posts spaced apart in parallel, a plurality of connectors fixed to the pair of posts and vertically adjustably positioned along a length of the pair of first and second vertical posts, connectors adjustably coupling each of the bar assemblies on the pair of posts to one of the first and second vertical posts, and a plurality of crossbars fixed to each of the vertical posts and spaced in parallel relative to each other with respect to one vertical post, the crossbars extending angularly from the one vertical post and disposed as a co-linear pair of crossbars, with one crossbar mounted on the opposite one of the pair of vertical post, the movable bar assembly adjustably removably between the coaxial aligned pairs of crossbars in a vertical direction.

[0028] Referring now to FIGS. 1-11 of the drawing, there is disclosed a fitness rig, which overcomes the above-described versatility issues, associated with prior devised fitness rigs.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 1, one configuration of a fitness rig 20 includes a pair of first and second vertically extending posts 22 and 24. The first and second vertical posts 22 and 24 may be spaced part at any predetermined spacing suitable for receiving different sized individuals therebetween. The spacing between the first and second vertical posts 22 and 24 may be four feet or five feet, both by example.

[0030] Although the first and second vertical posts 22 and 24 may take any suitable tubular form, such as a hollow tubular post with a circular or polygonal cross-section, by way of example, each first and second vertical posts 22 and 24 has a polygonal i.e., square cross section.

[0031] Each of the first and second vertical posts 22 and 24 has a mounting plate 26 fixed at a bottom end, such as by welding. The plate 26 projects perpendicularly outward from the periphery of the first and second vertical posts 22 and 24 and includes apertures 27 for receiving fasteners 29, such as threaded bolts, for securing each of the first and second vertical posts 22 and 24 securely to a cement footing 28 extending three or four feet in length into the ground in the case of a mounting of the fitness rig 20 outdoors or to an underlying support, such as a cement floor, in the case of an interior fitness center application.

[0032] The first and second vertical posts 22 and 24 can also each be fixedly mounted on a wall, either indoors or outdoors by suitable brackets or attachment method, such as a bolted bracket assembly coupled to each of the first and second vertical posts 22 and 24. At least a portion of the first and second vertical posts 22 and 24 should be spaced from the adjacent wall surface to allow vertical repositioning of a horizontal bar assembly 40, as described hereafter.

[0033] The first and second vertical posts 22 and 24 may also be mounted on a portable platform, not shown, in the illustrated spacing. Such a platform could provide a stand-alone configuration of the first and second vertical posts 22 and 24 anywhere with a room or outdoors. The platform is provided with rotation of sliding means for portability so that the entire assembly can be moved to any location indoors or outdoors.

[0034] A plurality of vertically spaced apertures 30 are formed in at least two opposed sides of a square or polygonal shaped first and second vertical posts 22 and 24. The vertically spaced apertures 30 are formed in the other two opposed sides of the first and second vertical posts 22 and 24. The apertures 30 are provided in one diameter along at least a portion of the length of each of the first and second vertical post 22 and 24 or in varying diameters to receive different sized locking pins and/or attachments, as described hereafter. For example, as shown for the first and second vertical posts 22 and 24 in FIG. 1, a plurality of apertures 30, such as ⅜ inch apertures, extend in a spaced arrangement from the upper end of each of the first and second vertical posts 22 and 24. Next, spaced intermediately along the length of each of the first and second vertical posts 22 and 24 are a plurality, such as three, larger diameter apertures 31, such as one-inch diameter apertures, for receiving larger diameter lock pins. Next, proceeding down the length of each first and second vertical posts 22 and 24, is a section of larger diameter apertures 31 and smaller diameter apertures 30. Finally, a set, such as three for example, of the smaller diameter apertures 30 are located near a lower end of each first and second vertical post 22 and 24. The different diameter apertures 30, 31 may be provided in any size, any order, and on all or at least two opposed surfaces or less than all of the sides of the first and second vertical posts 22 and 24.

[0035] The larger diameter apertures 31 are for vertically repositioning various attachments, as described to the first and second vertical posts 22 and 24. The smaller diameter apertures 30 are used for a lynch pin used with the connectors on a horizontal bar assembly, as described hereafter.

[0036] The large diameter apertures 31 are provided over at least a portion of the entire length of the first and second vertical posts 22 and 24, or in spaced series, as shown in FIG. 1, or alternating or otherwise interspersed with a smaller diameter apertures 30, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0037] The aligned pairs of the apertures 30 in each first and second vertical posts 22 and 24, are arranged so that the apertures 30 in the first vertical post 22 are horizontally aligned in a common plane with the aperture 30 in the opposed second vertical post 24, provide vertical adjustable attachment of a horizontal bar assembly 40 along the vertical extent of the first and second vertical posts 22 and 24.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the horizontal bar assembly 40 includes a horizontal bar 42 of generally tubular, circular cross-section. The horizontal bar 42 may be hollow or solid metal.

[0039] Opposite ends of the horizontal bar 42 are fixed, such as by welding, to connectors 44. Each connector 44, which are identical, or as nearly identical, has a polygonal cross-section with an interior opening slightly larger than the peripheral extent of the first and second vertical posts 22 and 24. The connectors 44 vertically adjustably surround the first and second vertical posts 22 and 24.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 2A, each connector 44 also has a tubular cross-section formed of a plurality of sides, such as at least three interconnected sides, although four interconnected sides or surfaces 46, 48, 50 and 52 are shown by way of example. The ends of the horizontal bar 42 are welded or otherwise fixed to one side 50 of each connector 44 or project slightly into the interior of each connector 44.

[0041] An aligned pair of apertures 56 is formed in two opposed sides of each connector 44, such as sides 48 and 52. The pair of apertures are alignable with one of the pair of apertures 30 in one of the first and second vertical posts 22 or 24 so as to vertically adjustable position the horizontal bar 42 at the desired vertical height above the mounting plate 26 at the lower end of each first and second vertical posts 22 and 24.

[0042] A pin 60 is mountable through the aligned pair of apertures 56 in each connector 44 and the adjacent apertures 30 in the first and second vertical posts 22 and 24 to lock each end of the horizontal bar assembly 40 at the desired vertical height along the vertical extent of the first and second vertical posts 22 and 24. As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, the pin 60 is in the form of a lynch pin 60 which includes a cylindrical pin 62 having an enlarged diameter head 64 at one end. A rigid, bent rod 66 with two adjacent cable rod sections 68 and 70 each have one end mounted in a bore extending through the head 64. The two cable rod sections 68 and 70 are then joined by a clip 72 to dispose the cable rod sections 68 and 70 side-by-side for most of their U-shaped extent. The opposite ends of the cable rod sections 68 and 70 are formed in an open loop 71 which is pivotally mountable over an exposed end 73 of the lynch pin 60 which projects out from the side 48 of the connector 44. This locks the connector 44 in position at a selected height along the length of the first and second vertical posts 22 or 24. Release of the loop 71 of the pin 62 from the open loop 71 enables the lynch pin 62 to be withdrawn from the aligned pairs of apertures 30 in one of the first and second vertical posts 22 or 24. A similar release action on the lynch pin 60 in the opposed connector 44 allows the horizontal bar 42 to be vertically adjusted to position the horizontal bar 42 at a different height along the extent of the first and second vertical posts 22 and 24.

[0043] It will be understood that the polygonal cross-section of the vertical posts 22 and 24, and the complimentary shape of the connectors 44 is by way of example only. Other cross-sectional shapes for the vertical posts 22 and 24 and the connectors 44 may also be utilized, such as a tubular circular cross-section shape for the vertical posts 22 and 24 and a slightly larger circular cross-section diameter for the connectors 44.

[0044] Referring now to FIG. 6, there is depicted a module 80 for the fitness rig 20. The module 80 includes the first pair of vertical posts 22 and 24, which are spaced in parallel and aligned in one vertical plane. A second pair of first and second vertical posts 82 and 84, identical to the first pair of first and second vertical posts 22 and 24 is laterally spaced from the first and second vertical posts 22 and 24. The second pair of first and second vertical posts 82 and 84 is also spaced in parallel and is arranged with the first vertical plane of the first pair of first and second vertical posts 22 and 24 in parallel arranged vertical planes. It should be noted from FIG. 6, that the first vertical posts 22 and 82 lay in a vertical plane perpendicular to the vertical plane formed by the first pair of first and second vertical posts 22 and 24 and the second pair of first and second vertical posts 82 and 84. Similarly, the first vertical posts 24 and 84 lay in another vertical plane perpendicular to the vertical plane of the first and second vertical posts 22 and 24 and parallel to the vertical plane formed by the vertical posts 22 and 82. This arrangement of the four vertical posts 22, 24, 82, and 84 forms the module 80 in a generally polygonal configuration. The spacing in between the posts 22 and 24, and 82 and 84 maybe at a first distance, such as four feet; while the spacing between the posts 22 and 82, and 24 and 84 may be at the same or a different spacing, such as four feet, five feet, etc.

[0045] Each pair of the first and second vertical posts 22 and 24, and 82 and 84 has at least one horizontal bar assembly 40 vertically adjustably mounted thereon. Likewise, the vertical posts 22 and 82 have a horizontal bar assembly 40 vertically adjustably positioned thereon which can be vertically adjusted along the vertical posts 22 and 24 independent of the horizontal bar assemblies 40 on the pair of vertical posts 22 and 24, and 82 and 84. The vertical posts 24 and 84 have a similar horizontal bar assembly 40 vertically positional there along and parallel to the horizontal bar assembly 40 connected between the vertical posts 22 and 24.

[0046] The module 80, formed of four vertical posts 22, 24, 82 and 84, each interconnected to two other vertical posts 22, 24, 82, and 84, may be repeated in multiple modules 80 by disposing one module 80 adjacent to and spaced parallel from the vertical posts 82 and 84 as well as another module 80 from the vertical posts 24 and 84 or the vertical posts 22 and 82 or 22 and 84. This may be repeated in any number of modules 80 until any desired arrangement is formed, as shown in FIG. 7. Each four adjacent vertical posts of the modules 80 forming the entire assembly shown in FIG. 7 can have one or up to four vertically adjustable horizontal bar assemblies 40 mounted thereon.

[0047] FIG. 7 also illustrates a modification to the vertical posts 22, 24, 82, and 84 wherein vertical posts 90, 92, and 94, with three vertical posts shown by way of example replace two of the vertical posts of the module 80. The vertical posts 90, 92, and 94 have an increased height to place the horizontal bar assembly 40 mounted at an upper end considerably higher in height than the horizontal bar assemblies 40 in other modules 80. The horizontal bar assemblies 40 on the posts 90, 92, and 94 may receive a rope attachment member for rope climbing exercises.

[0048] The vertical posts 22 and 24 and the vertical posts 22, 24 and 82, 84 in the module 80 may have any suitable diameter or cross-section to provide a stable exercise platform. For example, the vertical posts 22, 24, 82, and 84 and 80 may have a two-inch square or 2″×2″ polygonal configuration. In this example, the connectors 44 on each horizontal bar assembly 40 have an interior aperture between the exterior walls slightly larger than the two inch by two inch cross-section of the vertical post 22, 24, 82 and 84.

[0049] However, the longer height vertical post 90, 92 and 94 shown in FIG. 7, will typically have a larger cross-section for increased strength to support the longer height of each vertical post 90, 92, and 94. In this situation, the connectors 44 also have a larger interior opening, such as one slightly larger than the 3″×3″ example of a cross-section for the vertical post 90, 92 and 94. The vertical posts 22, 24, 82 and 84 can have other cross-sections, such as 2″×3″, 3″×4″, 2″×4″, or 4″×4″ or larger.

[0050] Further, since the horizontal bar assemblies 40 may be connected between any two vertical posts 22, 24, 82 and 84, as well as the longer length posts, 90, 92 and 94, the horizontal bar assemblies 40 can have different sized connectors 44. The horizontal bar assembly 40, for use on the vertical posts 22, 24, 82 and 84 can have identical connectors 44 complimentary to the 2 inch by 2 inch cross-section of the vertical posts 22, 24, 82 and 84. The horizontal bar assembly 40 attached to higher vertical posts, such as the pairs of vertical posts 90 and 92 or 92 and 94, can have connectors 44 with a slightly larger interior opening than the example of a 3 inch by 3 inch cross-section for the vertical posts 90, 92 and 94.

[0051] At the same time the horizontal bar assemblies 40 can be configured with different sized connectors 44 at each end for interconnection to one vertical posts 90, 92 or 94 at one end and a lower height vertical post 22, 24, 82, or 84 at the opposite end.

[0052] A variety of accessories are designed for use in the fitness rig, generally with one or two modules 80. As shown in FIG. 8, a horizontal hand over hand cross bar set 100 is illustrated. The cross bar set 100 is a unitary assembly formed of four corner located connectors 44, a pair of horizontally extending bars 102 fixedly joined at opposite ends to one of the connectors 44 and a plurality, with three shown by example of laterally extending cross-bars 104 which are fixedly joined, such as by welding or rotatably joined to the horizontal bars 102.

[0053] The cross bar set 100 is mounted over four vertical posts, such as vertical posts 22, 24, 82, and 84 and positioned at the desired height before the pins 60 are engaged to the connectors 44 and the respective vertical posts 22, 24, 82, and 84.

[0054] The cross bar set 100 can be modified to have a longer length and additional pairs of connectors 44 to span three or more pairs of parallel vertical posts.

[0055] FIG. 9 depicts an ascending and descending hand over hand cross bar set 110 which is similar to the horizontal cross bar set 100, but which includes two oppositely inclined horizontal cross bar sets 112 and 114. The cross bar set 110 includes six connectors for attachment to three parallel disposed pairs of vertical posts. Two pairs of parallel horizontal bars 116 and 118, and 120 and 122 are fixed or rotatably joined to the connectors 44. The outer end or corner located connectors 44 of the angularly disposed bars 116, 118, 120 and 122 are disposed in a horizontal plane. The center located connectors 44 are disposed out of the horizontal plane of the corner located connectors 44.

[0056] The hand over hand cross bar set 110 can be provided in any angular configuration, such as an angular configuration where the center portion of the hand over hand cross bar set 110 is positioned at a steeper angle relative to the outer ends. Further, the hand over hand cross bar set 110 may be inverted so as to provide the cross bars 124 and 129 in a descending angle relative to a horizontal plane of the end located connectors 44.

[0057] FIG. 10 depicts a different exercise rig attachment 130. The exercise rig attachment 130 includes a pair of vertically extending posts 132 and 134 which are fixed, such as by welding, to opposed sets of three connectors 44 which are vertically spaced from each other. Each of connectors 44 includes a lynch pin 60 to enable the entire exercise rig attachment 130 to be vertically adjusted in height above ground level on a pair of vertical posts, such as vertical posts 22 and 24.

[0058] A plurality of pairs of parallel cross bars, with nine pairs of parallel cross bars 136 shown by way of example are welded at opposite ends to the inner facing surfaces of the vertical posts 132 and 134. The cross bars 136 are generally flat, planar members arranged in parallel and disposed at an upward and outward extending angle from horizontal.

[0059] The angle between the inner most end of each of the cross bars 136 and the adjacent vertical members 132 and 134 provides space for a person to vertically move a bar 138 carried by the person and spanning each pair of cross bars 136 upward and downward along the set of cross bars 136.

[0060] FIG. 11 depicts a pair of vertical posts 22 and 24, but with a different configuration for the horizontal bar assembly connectors. In this arrangement, the connectors 44A have a three sided, open-ended, U-shaped configuration formed of two opposed parallel sides 48 and 52 joined to a center side 50. The open ends of each connector 44A face outward from the horizontal bar 42. The lynch pin 60 is mountable between and across the two opposed parallel legs 48 and 52 of each connector 44A.