Exercise device for pull ups

[0001] The present invention is directed to a foldable exercise device. More particularly, the present invention is directed to an exercise device that can be folded for compact storage and unfolded to an extended configuration for chin-up and pull-up exercises when in use.

[0002] Chin-ups or pull-ups provide a means of exercise for building muscular strength. A pull-up is an upper body compound pulling exercise wherein the body is suspended by the arms gripping something, such as a pole, and pulled up with muscular effort. As this happens, the wrists remain in neutral position, the elbows flex and the shoulders adduct and/or extend to bring the elbows to or sometimes behind the torso.

[0003] A traditional pull-up relies on upper body strength with no swinging or “kipping” or use of a forceful initial movement of the legs in order to gain momentum. The exercise often targets the latissimus dorsi muscle in the back along with many other assisting muscles.

[0004] The chin-up is a strength training exercise. People frequently do this exercise with the intention of strengthening muscles such as the latissimus dorsi and biceps, which extend the shoulder and flex the elbow, respectively. It is a form of pull up in which the range of motion is established in relation to a person's chin.

[0005] Chin-up bars are ubiquitous on playgrounds and exercise rooms. A chin-up bar is simply a smooth horizontal metal bar, often a pipe, held solidly above ground by a wooden or metal frame. Typical installations include 2 or 3 different heights of bars for people of different heights. In its common usage, a person jumps up slightly to grab the bar in both hands so that the palms are facing away (pronation) and the feet hang freely in the air. The user then pulls him or herself up to where his or her chin passes the top of the bar, slowly lowers him or herself to hanging by his arms, and repeats as many times as possible. This is referred to commonly as a pull-up. Generally, the user can stop at a maximum and minimum height for further strength training.

[0006] The chin-up can also be performed using an inverse grip, where the palms of the hands are facing the participant (supination). This is what is commonly referred to as a chin-up. This type of grip usually places more emphasis on the intercostals and the biceps, whereas the traditional grip is more of an upper-back and latissimus dorsi exercise.

[0007] Further variations on chin-ups are possible by gripping with only a few fingers of one hand in order to increase resistance on the other arm. This type of exercise should be balanced evenly on both arms. One-armed chin-ups are also possible but are notoriously difficult to achieve. Training methods for one-arm chin-ups involve exercises that emphasize concentric movements.

[0008] Chin-up exercises are a part of the U.S. President's Council on Physical Fitness program for evaluating the physical health of schoolchildren. Generally, a chin-up bar of the prior art includes a long cylindrical bar. However, this design is deficient, since the chin-up bar cannot be easily foldable for travel since the length of the chin-up bar is fixed and will not fit in a conventional travel bag. It would be advantageous in the art to have a collapsible device that can folded into a compact device for storage and travel and unfolded to expand into a full size pull-up or chin-up exercise device. Thus, a foldable device for pull ups or chin-ups is desirable for travel, moving or compact storage.

[0009] According to a first embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an exercise device comprising a first member having a hinged joint, a second member having a hinged joint, a third generally L shaped member being connected to the first and the second member and a fourth generally L shaped member being connected to the first and the second member and spaced from the third generally L shaped member.

[0010] The first member pivots about the hinge joint from a folded configuration to an extended configuration, and the second member pivots about the hinge joint from a folded configuration to an extended configuration.

[0011] The third generally L shaped member also includes a hinged joint and extends from a folded configuration to an extended configurations and the fourth generally L shaped member includes a hinged joint and extends from a folded configuration to an extended configuration. The third and fourth generally L shaped members are moved from the folded configuration to the extended configuration in a first position and separated in a second position to extend the first and the second members from the folded to the extended position. The exercise device is connected to a support surface in order to be used.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the first and the second members have different lengths and the third and fourth member are of the same size. The first through fourth members may be made from a resilient material, including a metal, plastic, thermoplastic, composite material or any other suitably resilient material that can withstand the weight of a two hundred and fifty pound person.

[0013] The first through fourth members may comprise a rectangular or circular cross section. A doorframe may support the first and the second member so a user can perform pull-up or chin-up exercises.

[0014] In yet another embodiment, the first member may comprise a hinged joint located in a middle region of the first member. The second member may also include a hinged joint in a middle region of the second member. The exercise device may include a grip portion for a user on the second member. The exercise device may also include a second grip portion on the second member. In another embodiment, the first member of the exercise device may have a spring-loaded v-shape hinged joint so that when the first member is fully extended it will tend to remain flat. In a further embodiment, the third and the fourth member are moveable toward and away from one another to extend the first and the second member.

[0015] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for forming an exercise device comprising providing a first member having a hinge joint in a folded position, a second member having a hinge joint in a folded position, a third generally L shaped member having a hinge joint being connected to the first and the second member and a fourth generally L shaped member having a hinge joint being connected to the first and the second member and spaced from the third generally L shaped member. The method may include moving the third generally L shaped member from a folded configuration to an extended configuration and moving the fourth L shaped member from a folded configuration to an extended configuration.

[0016] The method further includes moving the third and fourth generally L shaped members from a folded configuration to an extended configuration in a first position and extending the first and the second members from the folded to the extended position. The method may include moving the first member to pivot about the hinge joint from a folded configuration to an extended configuration. The method also includes pivoting the second member about the hinge joint from a folded configuration to an extended configuration and supporting the exercise device on a surface.

[0017] In another embodiment, the method may also include the first and second members having different lengths and providing that the third and the fourth members are the same size. In another embodiment, the second member may be formed with a length sufficient to formulate wide grip exercises.

[0018] In one embodiment, the method may include the first member being supported by a top of a door frame while the second member rests on a lateral side of the door frame to form a supported configuration while a hand grip may be placed on the second member.

[0028] The present invention is directed to an exercise device 5 for performing chin-ups and pull-ups and similar lifts. The exercise device 5 is preferably supported on a surface. In one aspect, the exercise device 5 can be supported on a doorframe. The support surface preferably can be any horizontal surface. However, the support surface may also be vertical. The exercise device 5 preferably is a device that can be easily folded or disassembled to fit into a small exercise bag. In two motions, namely, in pulling two generally L shaped members back and unfolding the members and then pulling the two generally L shaped members apart, the exercise device 5 can be unfolded, revealed and snap into place. The exercise device 5 can then be supported on a surface and the user can do chin-ups or pull-ups.

[0029] It should be appreciated that the present exercise device 5 may include a number of members however, the number can vary according to several embodiments of the present disclosure. Various configurations are possible and within the scope of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the exercise device 5 may comprise eight generally straight members. In another embodiment, the exercise device 5 includes four substantially straight members and two generally L-shaped members. In yet another preferred embodiment, the exercise device 5 includes two substantially straight members and two generally L-shaped members

[0030] In one embodiment, the bars are connected via a hinge joint. The hinge joint preferably includes a snap one way pivoting functionality in that when the pivot is rotated the pivot snaps and locks into place. Various locking devices may be present and can be utilized within the present disclosure as one of ordinary skill in the art can appreciate. Further, the exercise device 5 may be modified to perform additional exercises than those discussed herein.

[0031] Turning now to FIG. 1, the exercise device 5 is shown in an extended position. The exercise device 5 includes a first member 10 and a second member 20. The exercise device 5 also includes a first generally L shaped member 30 and a second generally L shaped member 40. The first member 10 includes a first portion 10a connected to a second portion 10b. The first portion 10a is connected to the second portion 10b by a locking pivoting hinge joint 10c. Preferably, as mentioned above, the hinge 10c can move and snap and lock into place. In a preferred embodiment, 10c is a spring hinge joint. The second member 20 also includes a first portion 20a connected to a second portion 20b by a second hinge joint 20c. Preferably, as with 10c, the second hinge 20c can also move and snap and lock into place.

[0032] The first generally L shaped member 30 includes a first leg portion 30a connected to a second leg portion 30b via a third hinge 30c. The second generally L shaped portion 40 includes a block member 41, a first leg portion 40a connected to a second leg portion 40b via a fourth hinge 40c. The dimensions of L shaped members 30 and 40 are substantially identical. Similarly, the dimensions of 30b mirror those of 40b and the dimensions of 30a mirror those of 40a.

[0033] As can be seen, the second member 20 is connected at a first point with the first generally L shaped member 30 and at a second point with the second generally L shaped member 40. Also, the first member 10 is connected at a first and second point to the first and the second L shaped members 30 and 40.

[0034] Preferably, the second member 20 is connected to the first and second L shaped members 30 and 40 via rotatable pins 32 and 34. Likewise, the first member 10 is connected to the first and second L shaped members 30 and 40 via rotatable pins 22 and 24. As can be seen the device 5 includes first and second members 10 and 20. Member 10 is utilized to support the exercise device 5 on a support surface. Member 20 is utilized by the user as a gripping member to perform chin-up or pull-up exercises. Member 20 may further include a comfortable covering disposed thereon so the user's hands do not chafe (not shown). In another embodiment, the device 5 may further comprise a compartment for chalking the hands (not shown). In yet a further embodiment, the device 5 may include a wide end grip member at the first end of the second member and a wide end grip member at the second end of the second member (not shown). Various configurations are possible and within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0035] Turning now to FIG. 4 there is shown an exercise device 5 in a folded configuration for travel or storage. As can be seen, in its folded position, the exercise device 5 forms a number of elongated members disposed in a generally parallel configuration relative to one another. In its folded position, the device 5 is compact and can be stored in a bag, or stowed away for travel.

[0036] The exercise device 5 includes from a top down the first generally L shaped member portion 30b and the second generally L shaped portion 40b, in a side by side parallel configuration relative to one another; followed by the first elongated member 10a and 10b in a side by side parallel configuration relative to one another; followed by members 30a and 40a in a side by side parallel configuration relative to one another and then finally members 20a and 20b in a side by side parallel configuration relative to one another, are on the bottom. Generally, the L shaped members 30 and 40 fold about ninety degrees relative to the pivots 30c and 40c as shown. Also, the first elongated member 10 is also folded so the first portion 10a and the second portion 10b fold about pivot portion 10c. Finally, the second elongated member 20 also is folded so the first portion 20a and the second portion 20b fold about the pivot portion 20c.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 4, when the exercise device 5 is in a closed or folded configuration, 30b and 40b are positioned side by side, parallel to one another. Similarly, when exercise device 5 is in a closed or folded configuration, members 10a and 10b are positioned side by side, parallel to one another and contiguous to members 30b and 40b. Members 30a and 40a are positioned side by side, parallel to one another and contiguous to members 10a and 10b and members 20a and 20b. Thus, when exercise device 5 is folded, the members of elongated bars 10 and 20 are similarly folded at their respective mid point regions, namely 10c and 20c, such that members 10a and 10b and members 20a and 20b are side by side and parallel.

[0038] In contrast, when exercise device 5 is folded, L shaped members 30 and 40 collapse such that members 40b and 30b are positioned side by side, parallel to one another and members 40a and 30a are positioned side by side, parallel to one another.

[0039] Referring now to FIGS. 2-3, members 10a and 10b, and 40b and 30b are pulled in the direction of reference letter A so the first and the second generally L shaped members 30 and 40 are formed. For example, 30b of the first L shaped member 30 will be generally from zero degrees in FIG. 4 to ninety degrees in FIG. 3 so 30b is ninety degrees relative to 30a via pivot point at hinge joint 30c. The force that the user imparts to pull in the direction of reference letter A also moves 40b of the second L shaped member 40, which will be generally be moved from zero degrees in FIG. 4 to ninety degrees in FIGS. 1-3 so the first portion 40b is ninety degrees relative to the second portion 40a via pivot point at hinge joint 40c of the second generally L shaped member 40.

[0040] As can be seen in FIGS. 2-3 both the first member 10 and the second member 20 remain in the folded position even though the first and the second generally L shaped members are engaged and unfolded. It should be appreciated that movement A does not disturb the second member 20 and first members 10 is rotated but is not unfolded. Generally, the first member 10 is folded about the pivot of joint hinge 10c while the second member 20 is disposed in a plane that is ninety degrees relative to the first member 10 and also folded about pivot of joint hinge 20c.

[0041] Turning now to FIG. 3, there is shown a partially folded view of the first and the second members 10 and 20 being rotated about the respective pivot points at 10c and 20c. As can be seen, the first generally L shaped member 30 and the second generally L shaped member 40 are pulled in either direction away from one another as shown with reference arrow B. As shown, the first member 10 includes a first portion 10a and a second portion 10b that move from an abutting relationship about pivot point 10c to an elongated configuration. The pivot point about joint hinge 10c is suitable such that when elongated the first portion 10a becomes fixed relative to the second portion 10b. As shown, the pivot point 10c moves upwardly while the ends of the first and the second portions 10a and 10b opposite 10c move downwardly along reference arrows C and D to form the completed elongated member 10 shown in FIG. 1.

[0042] Now referring to FIGS. 1-4, the second member 20, which is in a different plane rotated about ninety degrees from the first member 10, the second member 20 also moves from a folded configuration to an elongated configuration. The second member 20 moves about the pivot 20c so the first portion 20a rotates about the pivot 20c and the second portion 20b also rotates about the pivot 20c. As shown the pivot 20c moves rearward, while the first and the second portions 20a and 20b move in an opposite manner relative to the pivot 20c to form the elongated configuration. The first portion 20a moves in the direction of reference arrow E and the second portion 20b moves in the direction of the reference arrow F.

[0043] Now turning to FIG. 1, there is shown the completed exercise device 5 in a fully extended position. As shown the first and second generally L shaped members 30 and 40 are fixed in position. Portions 30b and 40b of the generally L shaped members 30 and 40 support the first elongated member 10 in a fixed position. The first portions 30a and 40a support the second elongated member 20 in a fixed position.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 1, first member 10 and second member 20 are connected to the first generally L shaped member 30, and fixedly attached once in the exercise device 5 is in the expanded and locked position, as shown in FIG. 1. In the expanded position, portion 30a is fixedly connected to portion 30b at a ninety degree angle.

[0045] The first 10 and second members 20 are also rigidly attached to the second generally L shaped member 40, once in the exercise device 5 is in the expanded and locked position. In the expanded position, 40a is fixedly connected to 40a at a ninety degree angle.

[0046] The second generally L shaped member 40 includes a first elongated portion 40a and a second elongated portion 40b that is also rigidly connected to the first elongated portion 10 at a right angle via a rotatable pin 24. Preferably, pin 24 is high strength pin and will not break under a large load. The first and the second L shaped member 30 and 40 are separated from one another by a fixed predetermined distance that allows the members 30 and 40 to provide enough clearance and are on a first side and a second side of the exercise device 5 so a user may grip and form a chin up.

[0047] The first member 10 is connected to the first L shaped member 30 at a first location. Preferably, a rotatable pin 22 connects the first elongated member 10 to the first L shaped member 30, but an interlocking fastener may also be used. The first member 10 is connected to the second L shaped member 40 at an opposite location by a second rotatable pin 24, however other fasteners are envisioned.

[0048] The second elongated member 20 is also connected to the first L shaped member 30 at a second location by a rotatable pin 32, however this arrangement also is not limiting. The second elongated member 20 is connected to the second L shaped member 40 by a rotatable pin 34. Preferably, pins 22, 24, 32 and 34 are high strength pins and will not break under a large load.

[0049] Turning now to FIG. 8, as shown in an initial position supported on the doorframe D1, the first and second elongated members 10 and 20 are generally disposed in a parallel fashion. The first portion 30a and the second portion 40a of the first and the second L shaped members 30 and 40 are generally parallel aligned. As shown, first portion 10a and second portion 10b are supported on the door frame D1 so the user may grip the first and the second portions 20a and 20b to formulate the chin up or pull ups. In a preferred embodiment, 10c is a spring hinge with a v-shape connector point above the door-so that when member 10 is fully extended and in use, it tends to remain flat and open in an extended position. The spring hinge 10c will also assist the user when unfolding the exercise device 5, since it will facilitate the expansion by helping to release 10a and 10b and pop open member 10.

[0050] Once completed and if the user desires to remove the device 5, the first and the second L shaped members 30 and 40 are pulled in together, opposite of reference arrow B in FIGS. 2-3. The relative motion of the first and second L shaped members, 30 and 40 folds the first elongated member 10 and the second elongated member 20. The relative motion of the first and the second L shaped members 30 and 40 inward also rotates the second elongated member 20 about pivot 20c and folds the second elongated member 20. The exercise device 5 preferably snaps in a firm collapsed state, where the joints 10c, 20c, 30c and 40c hold the position shown in FIG. 4.

[0051] Turning now to FIG. 8, there is shown the exercise device 5 having the first elongated member 10 being supported on a door frame 5 while the second elongated member 20 is shown in a parallel arrangement. The second elongated member 20 is spaced by a predetermined distance and will hold the weight of the user. As shown in FIG. 8, first member 10 is secured to a top of the door frame as shown. Second member 20 is greater in length than member 10.

[0052] Turning again to FIG. 1, it should be appreciated that the exercise device 5 may be formed from eight discrete bar members. For example, the first member may comprise a first bar 10a and a second bar 10b. The second member may comprise a first bar 20a and a second bar 20b. The third L shaped member 30 may comprise a first bar 30a and a second bar 30b. The fourth shaped member 40 may comprise a first bar 40a and a second bar 40b. It should be appreciated that members 10, 20, 30, 40 may comprise a circular or rectangular cross section.

[0053] Turning now to FIG. 5, there is shown a close up view of the hinge corner of an L shaped member 30. Bar 30a includes a block member 31 and hinge 30c connects 30a and 30b via a joint at 30c.

[0054] FIG. 7 is a side view of L shaped member 30 in an unfolded position and connected to a doorframe at D1.

[0055] FIG. 6 is a close up of the hinge 20c of the lower bar member 20. As shown, a horizontal and vertical mating piece 26, 28 extend past the bar member 20a. Mating pieces 26 and 28 provide support to bar 20 along hinge portion 20c and reinforce the hinge joint at 20c when bar 20 is in the extended and unfolded position.

[0056] While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.