User-defined exercise apparatus

Abstract

A kit of parts is provided for assembly into exercise apparatus of various configurations, as desired and defined by the user. The apparatus, when configured to form a supporting cell, conveniently allows the attachment of a plurality of exercise devices of the same or different type while, in addition, can be used as a storage center for items normally found at a fitness center such as bands, weights, balls, bars, barbells, etc.

1 . An assembly kit of standardized parts for erecting exercise apparatus in any one of a number of different configurations, as desired and selected by a user, said kit comprising, in combination: 
 (1) at least one frame adapted for substantially upright installation and comprising two substantially identical elongate vertical members of a first prescribed length, each having two ends, which are connected together in parallel and in spaced-apart relationship by a horizontal crossbar of a second prescribed length adjacent each end, each of said vertical members having a plurality of points of attachment along its length;    (2) at least one elongate first horizontal member of a third prescribed length, each first horizontal member adapted for connecting a separate one of the vertical members of a first frame to a wall or to a corresponding one of the vertical members of a second frame, respectively, adjacent one of the upper and lower ends of said vertical members, thereby to form a supporting cell; and    (3) at least one exercise device having means for removable attachment to one or more members of said supporting cell, attachment to a vertical member being at one of said plurality of points of attachment;    wherein the parts may be connected together on a site of a place of exercise to provide said supporting cell for attachment of said at least one exercise device.    
   
   
       2 . The kit of parts recited in  claim 1 , further comprising an instruction manual illustrating and describing a method of assembling the parts of the kit together.  
   
   
       3 . The kit of parts recited in  claim 1 , wherein said vertical members each have a plurality of holes at prescribed positions along its length to provide the points of attachment, and wherein a plurality of said exercise devices each have at least one prong for insertion in a selected one of said holes in at least one of said vertical members, thereby to retain and support said exercise device at said point of attachment.  
   
   
       4 . The kit of parts recited in  claim 1 , wherein said vertical members each have a plurality of hooks extending outward at prescribed positions along its length to provide the points of attachment, and wherein a plurality of said exercise devices each have at least one means for attachment to a selected one of said hooks in at least one of said vertical members, thereby to retain and support said exercise device at said point of attachment.  
   
   
       5 . The kit of parts recited in  claim 1 , comprising at least two pairs of said first horizontal members of said third prescribed length, adapted for interconnecting the vertical members of the first frame and second frame, respectively, adjacent both the upper and lower ends of said vertical members, to form said supporting cell.  
   
   
       6 . The kit of parts recited in  claim 1 , wherein said frame has a plurality of said crossbars interconnecting said vertical members, said crossbars being spaced substantially equidistantly along the lengths of the vertical members like rungs of a ladder.  
   
   
       7 . The kit of parts recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a sufficient number of frames and first horizontal members to form at least one additional supporting cell, when assembled, and at least one pair of elongate second horizontal members of a fourth prescribed length that is longer than said third prescribed length, each pair of second horizontal members being adapted for connecting a separate one of the vertical members of a first supporting cell with a corresponding one of the vertical members of a second supporting cell, respectively, adjacent one of the upper and lower ends of said vertical members, thereby to connect said supporting cells together.  
   
   
       8 . The kit of parts recited in  claim 1 , wherein said at least one exercise device is selected from the group consisting of: 
 (1) a bench press;    (2) a barbell rack;    (3) a weight rack;    (4) a pair of balance beams;    (5) a squat rack;    (6) a calf block;    (7) a leg rest;    (8) a dip station;    (9) a punching bag;    (10) a horizontal ladder;    (11) a horizontal chin-up bar;    (12) a horizontal push-up bar;    (13) a foot stand;    (14) a connection device for elastic bands;    (15) a cable pull device connected to a resistance means; and    (16) a sliding bench.    
   
   
       9 . The kit of parts recited in  claim 8 , wherein said resistance means is selected from the group consisting of at least one of a weight stack, at least one elastic band and at least one damper.  
   
   
       10 . The kit of parts recited in  claim 1 , wherein said vertical members each have a vertical hole in the top for attachment of a horizontal member.  
   
   
       11 . The kit of parts recited in  claim 1 , comprising one frame and at least two horizontal members for connecting the frame to a wall to form said supporting cell.  
   
   
       12 . The kit of parts recited in  claim 1 , comprising at least two frames and at least one first horizontal member adapted to connect the two frames in a Z-shaped configuration to form said supporting cell.  
   
   
       13 . The kit of parts recited in  claim 1 , comprising at least two frames and at least two first horizontal members adapted to connect the two frames in a rectangular configuration to form said supporting cell.  
   
   
       14 . The kit of parts recited in  claim 1 , comprising at least three frames and at least three first horizontal members adapted connect the three frames in a pentagonal shape to form said supporting cell.  
   
   
       15 . The kit of parts recited in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one third elongate horizontal member having a fifth prescribed length which, when attached to a lower part of a supporting cell, serves as a stabilizer bar to prevent said supporting cell from tipping over.  
   
   
       16 . Exercise apparatus for supporting selected ones of a plurality of separate exercise devices and permitting simultaneous use of the apparatus by a plurality of persons, said apparatus comprising, in combination: 
 (a) a free standing, rectangular frame structure comprising: 
 (1) a first ladder formed of a pair of elongate vertical frame members arranged in parallel and connected together in spaced apart relationship by a first plurality of horizontal rungs spaced substantially equidistant from each other;  
 (2) a second ladder formed of a pair of elongate vertical frame members arranged in parallel and connected together in spaced apart relationship by a second plurality of horizontal rungs spaced substantially equidistant from each other;  
 (3) a first pair of horizontal frame members, each connecting a separate one of the vertical frame members of said first ladder with a corresponding one of the vertical frame members of said second ladder, respectively, at a first level adjacent the lower extremities of said vertical frame members; and  
 (4) a second pair of horizontal frame members, each connecting a separate one of the vertical frame members of said first ladder with a corresponding one of the vertical frame members of said second ladder, respectively, at a second level adjacent the upper extremities of said vertical frame members; and  
   (b) at least one exercise device having means for removable attachment to said frame structure.    
   
   
       17 . The exercise apparatus recited in  claim 16 , wherein said at least one exercise device is selected from the group consisting of: 
 (1) a bench press;    (2) a barbell rack;    (3) a weight rack;    (4) a pair of balance beams;    (5) a squat rack;    (6) a calf block;    (7) a leg rest;    (8) a dip station;    (9) a punching bag;    (10) a horizontal ladder;    (11) a horizontal chin-up bar;    (12) a horizontal push-up bar;    (13) a foot stand;    (14) a connection device for elastic bands;    (15) a cable pull device connected to a resistance means; and    (16) a sliding bench.    
   
   
       18 . The apparatus recited in  claim 17 , wherein said resistance means is selected from the group consisting of a weight stack, an elastic band and a damper.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus recited in  claim 16 , wherein the vertical frame members each have a plurality of holes extending horizontally therethrough, said holes being spaced apart equidistantly along the length of each frame member for accepting pegs for attachment of said exercise devices.