Suspended training exercise device, method and kit

Abstract

A suspended training exercise device includes an anchor, a post, and exercise stations. The anchor securely engages a mounting surface. The post securely engages the anchor assembly. The exercise stations are secured relative to the post member, and each includes a foot ladder, and strap members. The foot ladder securely engages the anchor, and includes steps securely engaging and oriented transversely relative to a rail. The steps accommodate a foot of a user. The straps engage and are suspended from the post member, each adapted to support the bodyweight of the user. A separate foot ladder apparatus, anchor assembly, method of providing an exercise device, and kit for assembly of a suspended training exercise device are also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A suspended training exercise device for use with a substantially horizontal mounting surface, the device comprising:
 (a) an anchor assembly adapted for secure engagement with the mounting surface;   (b) a post member securely engaging, and extending upwardly from, the anchor assembly; and   (c) one or more exercise stations secured relative to the post member, with each of the exercise stations comprising:
 (i) a substantially horizontal foot ladder member securely engaging the post member and/or the anchor assembly, and adapted for operative engagement with the mounting surface, with the foot ladder member comprising at least one elongate rail portion and one or more step portions securely engaging the rail portion, with each of the step portions oriented transversely relative to the rail portion and adapted to accommodate at least one foot of a user; and 
 (ii) one or more strap members engaging and suspended from the post member, with each of the strap members adapted to support the bodyweight of the user. 
   
     
     
         2 . A device according to  claim 1 , further adapted for use with a recessed mounting socket defined by the mounting surface, and wherein the anchor assembly comprises: an anchor plate portion securely engaging the ladder member and the post member, with the post member extending upwardly from the anchor plate portion; and an anchor plug portion securely engaging the anchor plate portion and adapted for operative insertion into, and expansion within, the mounting socket for selectively removable secure engagement of the anchor plug portion and the anchor plate portion with the mounting surface. 
     
     
         3 . A device according to  claim 2 , wherein the anchor plate portion comprises: a top plate member securely engaging the ladder member and the post member, with the post member extending upwardly from the top plate member; and a bottom plate portion adapted for operative engagement with the mounting surface, with the anchor plug portion securely engaging the bottom plate portion. 
     
     
         4 . A device according to  claim 3 , wherein the top plate member has a top plate upper surface, and wherein each of the exercise stations comprises a foot ladder receptacle securely engaging the top plate upper surface, with the ladder member securely engaging the foot ladder receptacle. 
     
     
         5 . A device according to  claim 3 , wherein the top plate member has a top plate lower surface; wherein the bottom plate portion comprises first and second bottom plate segments, each slidably engaging the top plate lower surface; wherein the anchor plug portion comprises first and second anchor plug segments, each securely engaging and extending downwardly from a respective one of the first and second bottom plate segments, with the anchor plug segments being adapted for operative insertion into the mounting socket; and wherein the bottom plate segments and the anchor plug segments are together selectively movable between: (a) an expanded anchored configuration whereat the bottom plate segments are in a horizontally spaced configuration relative to one another, with the anchor plug segments also being in the horizontally spaced configuration relative to one another, such that when the anchor plug segments are operatively inserted within the mounting socket, the bottom plate segments and the anchor plug segments securely engage the mounting surface; and (b) a retracted configuration whereat the bottom plate segments and the anchor plug segments are retracted from the horizontally spaced configuration, such that the anchor plug segments are selectively removable from the mounting socket, and the bottom plate segments are selectively removable from the mounting surface. 
     
     
         6 . A device according to  claim 5 , wherein each of the anchor plug segments is shaped to define an outer plug surface and a sloped inner plug surface; wherein the anchor assembly further comprises a wedge member engaging each said sloped inner plug surface in vertically slidable relation; and wherein selective vertical displacement of the wedge member from a first position towards a second position causes corresponding vertical sliding of the wedge member relative to each said sloped inner plug surface, and causes movement of the bottom plate segments and the anchor plug segments from the retracted configuration towards the anchored configuration, with each said outer plug surface being operatively moved into secure engagement with the mounting surface. 
     
     
         7 . A device according to  claim 6 , wherein each said sloped inner plug surface comprises a concave semi-conical surface; wherein the wedge member comprises a conical wedge portion and a bolt member securely engaging and extending upwardly from the conical wedge portion, with the conical wedge portion engaging each said concave semi-conical surface in said vertically slidable relation; wherein the anchor assembly further comprises a nut member threadingly engaging the bolt member, and rotation restraint means for restraining the conical wedge portion from rotational motion relative to each said concave semi-conical surface; and wherein selective rotation of the nut member causes vertical displacement of the bolt member between the first position and the second position. 
     
     
         8 . A device according to  claim 7 , wherein the rotation restraint means comprises at least one tongue member which extends from the conical wedge portion into a corresponding groove that is shaped in at least one said concave semi-conical surface, with the tongue member fitting within the groove in said vertically slidable relation and such as to restrain the conical wedge portion from said rotational motion. 
     
     
         9 . A device according to  claim 6 , wherein the anchor assembly further comprises one or more retention members for retaining the bottom plate segments in engagement with the wedge member. 
     
     
         10 . A device according to  claim 9 , wherein the retention members comprise first and second retaining rings, each securely engaging and extending from a respective one of the first and second bottom plate segments, with each of the retaining rings extending about the wedge member and overlapping with one another. 
     
     
         11 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the post member is selectively removable from the anchor assembly. 
     
     
         12 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the post member is substantially upright. 
     
     
         13 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the post member comprises a bottom post segment securely engaging the anchor assembly, and a top post segment securely engaging the bottom post segment in selectively removable relation, and wherein the top post segment comprises at least one strap connection member, with the strap members engaging and suspended from the strap connection member. 
     
     
         14 . A device according to  claim 13 , wherein the strap connection member comprises a mounting hoop securely engaging a top portion of the top post segment. 
     
     
         15 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the exercise stations comprises at least one pair of the strap members, with the strap members of each said pair being adapted to hang at a substantially uniform height above the mounting surface relative to one another. 
     
     
         16 . A device according to  claim 15 , wherein each of the exercise stations comprises two pairs of the strap members, with the pairs being adapted to hang at substantially different heights above the mounting surface relative to one another. 
     
     
         17 . A device according to  claim 1 , provided with four of the exercise stations, with adjacent ones of the exercise stations being equidistantly spaced about the post member relative to one another. 
     
     
         18 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the foot ladder member comprises two or more of the step portions, longitudinally spaced from one another along the rail portion; wherein the step portions are provided with planar surfaces, one each, to accommodate said at least one foot of the user; and wherein on each said foot ladder member, each of the planar surfaces is oriented at a different degree of incline, relative to the mounting surface, than each other. 
     
     
         19 . A device according to  claim 18 , wherein on each said foot ladder member, each of the planar surfaces is oriented at a steeper degree of incline, relative to the mounting surface, than each other one of the planar surfaces that is further from the post member. 
     
     
         20 . A foot ladder apparatus for use with a substantially horizontal mounting surface and a suspended training exercise device of the type having an upper support member which engages and suspends a strap member that is adapted to support the bodyweight of a user, the apparatus comprising:
 (a) at least one substantially horizontal elongate rail portion; and   (b) two or more step portions securely engaging the rail portion, with the step portions being longitudinally spaced from one another along the rail portion, and with each of the step portions being oriented transversely relative to the rail portion; and   
       wherein the apparatus is adapted for secure engagement with the mounting surface and relative to the upper support member in use, and each of the step portions is adapted to accommodate at least one foot of the user. 
     
     
         21 . An apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein the step portions are provided with planar surfaces, one each, to accommodate said at least one foot of the user; and wherein each of the planar surfaces is oriented at a steeper degree of incline, relative to the mounting surface, than each other one of the planar surfaces that is further from the upper support member. 
     
     
         22 . An anchor assembly for use with a substantially horizontal mounting surface which defines a recessed mounting socket, and for use with a post member of the type used in exercise, recreational and/or sporting activities, the assembly comprising:
 (a) an anchor plate portion adapted to securely engage the post member in use, with the post member extending upwardly from the anchor plate portion; and   (b) an anchor plug portion securely engaging the anchor plate portion and adapted for operative insertion into, and expansion within, the mounting socket for selectively removable secure engagement of the anchor plug portion and the anchor plate portion with the mounting surface.   
     
     
         23 . An assembly according to  claim 22 , wherein the anchor plate portion comprises a bottom plate portion and a top plate member which is adapted to securely engage the post member, with the post member extending upwardly from the top plate member; wherein the top plate member has a top plate lower surface; wherein the bottom plate portion is adapted for operative engagement with the mounting surface; wherein the bottom plate portion comprises first and second bottom plate segments, each slidably engaging the top plate lower surface; wherein the anchor plug portion comprises first and second anchor plug segments, each securely engaging and extending downwardly from a respective one of the first and second bottom plate segments, with the anchor plug segments being adapted for operative insertion into the mounting socket; and wherein the bottom plate segments and the anchor plug segments are together selectively movable between: (a) an expanded anchored configuration whereat the bottom plate segments are in a horizontally spaced configuration relative to one another, with the anchor plug segments also being in the horizontally spaced configuration relative to one another, such that when the anchor plug segments are operatively inserted within the mounting socket, the bottom plate segments and the anchor plug segments securely engage the mounting surface; and (b) a retracted configuration whereat the bottom plate segments and the anchor plug segments are retracted from the horizontally spaced configuration, such that the anchor plug segments are selectively removable from the mounting socket, and the bottom plate segments are selectively removable from the mounting surface. 
     
     
         24 . An assembly according to  claim 23 , wherein each of the anchor plug segments is shaped to define an outer plug surface and a sloped inner plug surface; wherein the anchor assembly further comprises a wedge member engaging each said sloped inner plug surface in vertically slidable relation; and wherein selective vertical displacement of the wedge member from a first position towards a second position causes corresponding vertical sliding of the wedge member relative to each said sloped inner plug surface, and causes movement of the bottom plate segments and the anchor plug segments from the retracted configuration towards the anchored configuration, with each said outer plug surface being operatively moved into secure engagement with the mounting surface. 
     
     
         25 . An assembly according to  claim 24 , wherein the anchor assembly further comprises one or more retention members for retaining the bottom plate segments in engagement with the wedge member. 
     
     
         26 . A method of providing an exercise device for use in suspension training, the method comprising:
 (a) an anchor providing step of providing an anchor assembly;   (b) a post providing step of providing a post member adapted to securely engage the anchor assembly; and   (c) an exercise station providing step of providing one or more exercise stations, with each of the exercise stations comprising:
 (i) a foot ladder member adapted to securely engage the post member and/or the anchor assembly, with the foot ladder member comprising at least one elongate rail portion and one or more step portions securely engaging the rail portion, with each of the step portions oriented transversely relative to the rail portion and adapted to accommodate at least one foot of a user; and 
 (ii) one or more strap members, each adapted for engagement with and suspension from the post member, with each of the strap members adapted to support the bodyweight of the user. 
   
     
     
         27 . A method according to  claim 26 , wherein in the anchor providing step, the anchor assembly is provided with: (i) a top plate member which has a top plate upper surface and a top plate lower surface; (ii) first and second bottom plate segments, each slidably engaging the top plate lower surface; and (iii) first and second anchor plug segments, each securely engaging and extending downwardly from a respective one of the first and second bottom plate segments; and wherein in the anchor providing step, the bottom plate segments and the anchor plug segments are together provided to be selectively movable between: an expanded anchored configuration whereat the bottom plate segments are in a horizontally spaced configuration relative to one another, with the anchor plug segments also being in the horizontally spaced configuration relative to one another; and a retracted configuration whereat the bottom plate segments and the anchor plug segments are retracted from the horizontally spaced configuration;
 wherein in the post providing step, the post member is adapted to securely engage the top plate member; and   wherein in the exercise station providing step, each of the exercise stations is provided with a foot ladder receptacle securely engaging the top plate upper surface, and the ladder member of each of the exercise stations is adapted to securely engage its respective said foot ladder receptacle.   
     
     
         28 . A method according to  claim 27 , wherein in the anchor providing step: each of the anchor plug segments is shaped to define an outer plug surface and a sloped inner plug surface; a wedge member is provided which engages each said sloped inner plug surface in vertically slidable relation; and selective vertical displacement of the wedge member from a first position towards a second position is such as to cause corresponding vertical sliding of the wedge member relative to each said sloped inner plug surface, and cause movement of the bottom plate segments and the anchor plug segments from the retracted configuration towards the anchored configuration. 
     
     
         29 . A method according to  claim 26 , wherein in the post providing step, the post member is adapted to be selectively removable from the anchor assembly. 
     
     
         30 . A method according to  claim 26 , wherein in the post providing step, the post member is provided with a bottom post segment which is adapted to securely engage the anchor assembly, and a top post segment which is adapted to securely engage the bottom post segment in selectively removable relation, with the top post segment provided with at least one strap connection member; and wherein in the exercise station providing step, the strap members are adapted for engagement with and suspension from the strap connection member. 
     
     
         31 . A method according to  claim 26 , wherein in the exercise station providing step, each of the exercise stations is provided with at least one pair of the strap members. 
     
     
         32 . A method according to  claim 26 , wherein in the exercise station providing step, four of the exercise stations are provided, with adjacent ones of the exercise stations being adapted to be equidistantly spaced about the post member relative to one another. 
     
     
         33 . A method according to  claim 26 , wherein in the exercise station providing step: the foot ladder member of each of the exercise stations is provided with two or more of the step portions, longitudinally spaced from one another along the rail portion; the step portions are provided with planar surfaces, one each, to accommodate said at least one foot of the user; and on each said foot ladder member, each of the planar surfaces is oriented at a different degree of incline, relative to the rail portion, than each other. 
     
     
         34 . A kit for assembly of a suspended training exercise device for use with a substantially horizontal mounting surface, the kit comprising:
 (a) an anchor assembly adapted for secure engagement with the mounting surface;   (b) a post member adapted to securely engage, and extend upwardly from, the anchor assembly; and   (c) one or more exercise stations adapted to be secured relative to the post member, with each of the exercise stations comprising:
 (i) a substantially horizontal foot ladder member adapted to securely engage the post member and/or the anchor assembly, and adapted for operative engagement with the mounting surface, with the foot ladder member comprising at least one elongate rail portion and one or more step portions securely engaging the rail portion, with each of the step portions oriented transversely relative to the rail portion and adapted to accommodate at least one foot of a user; and 
 (ii) one or more strap members adapted for engagement with and suspension from the post member, with each of the strap members adapted to support the bodyweight of the user. 
   
     
     
         35 . A kit according to  claim 34 , further adapted for use with a recessed mounting socket defined by the mounting surface, and wherein the anchor assembly comprises: an anchor plate portion adapted to securely engage the ladder member and the post member, with the post member extending upwardly from the anchor plate portion; and an anchor plug portion securely engaging the anchor plate portion and adapted for operative insertion into, and expansion within, the mounting socket for selectively removable secure engagement of the anchor plug portion and the anchor plate portion with the mounting surface. 
     
     
         36 . A kit according to  claim 35 , wherein the anchor plate portion comprises: a top plate member adapted to securely engage the ladder member and the post member, with the post member extending upwardly from the top plate member; and a bottom plate portion adapted for operative engagement with the mounting surface, with the anchor plug portion securely engaging the bottom plate portion. 
     
     
         37 . A kit according to  claim 36 , wherein the top plate member has a top plate upper surface, and wherein each of the exercise stations comprises a foot ladder receptacle securely engaging the top plate upper surface, with the ladder member is adapted to securely engage the foot ladder receptacle. 
     
     
         38 . A kit according to  claim 36 , wherein the top plate member has a top plate lower surface; wherein the bottom plate portion comprises first and second bottom plate segments, each slidably engaging the top plate lower surface; wherein the anchor plug portion comprises first and second anchor plug segments, each securely engaging and extending downwardly from a respective one of the first and second bottom plate segments, with the anchor plug segments being adapted for operative insertion into the mounting socket; and wherein the bottom plate segments and the anchor plug segments are together selectively movable between: (a) an expanded anchored configuration whereat the bottom plate segments are in a horizontally spaced configuration relative to one another, with the anchor plug segments also being in the horizontally spaced configuration relative to one another, such that when the anchor plug segments are operatively inserted within the mounting socket, the bottom plate segments and the anchor plug segments securely engage the mounting surface; and (b) a retracted configuration whereat the bottom plate segments and the anchor plug segments are retracted from the horizontally spaced configuration, such that the anchor plug segments are selectively removable from the mounting socket, and the bottom plate segments are selectively removable from the mounting surface. 
     
     
         39 . A kit according to  claim 38 , wherein each of the anchor plug segments is shaped to define an outer plug surface and a sloped inner plug surface; wherein the anchor assembly further comprises a wedge member engaging each said sloped inner plug surface in vertically slidable relation; and wherein selective vertical displacement of the wedge member from a first position towards a second position causes corresponding vertical sliding of the wedge member relative to each said sloped inner plug surface, and causes movement of the bottom plate segments and the anchor plug segments from the retracted configuration towards the anchored configuration, with each said outer plug surface being operatively moved into secure engagement with the mounting surface. 
     
     
         40 . A kit according to  claim 39 , wherein each said sloped inner plug surface comprises a concave semi-conical surface; wherein the wedge member comprises a conical wedge portion and a bolt member securely engaging and extending upwardly from the conical wedge portion, with the conical wedge portion engaging each said concave semi-conical surface in said vertically slidable relation; wherein the anchor assembly further comprises a nut member threadingly engaging the bolt member, and rotation restraint means for restraining the conical wedge portion from rotational motion relative to each said concave semi-conical surface; and wherein selective rotation of the nut member causes vertical displacement of the bolt member between the first position and the second position. 
     
     
         41 . A kit according to  claim 40 , wherein the rotation restraint means comprises at least one tongue member which extends from the conical wedge portion into a corresponding groove that is shaped in at least one said concave semi-conical surface, with the tongue member fitting within the groove in said vertically slidable relation and such as to restrain the conical wedge portion from said rotational motion. 
     
     
         42 . A kit according to  claim 39 , wherein the anchor assembly further comprises one or more retention members for retaining the bottom plate segments in engagement with the wedge member. 
     
     
         43 . A kit according to  claim 42 , wherein the retention members comprise first and second retaining rings, each securely engaging and extending from a respective one of the first and second bottom plate segments, with each of the retaining rings extending about the wedge member and overlapping with one another. 
     
     
         44 . A kit according to  claim 34 , wherein the post member is adapted to be selectively removable from the anchor assembly. 
     
     
         45 . A kit according to  claim 34 , wherein the post member is adapted to be substantially upright. 
     
     
         46 . A kit according to  claim 34 , wherein the post member comprises a bottom post segment adapted to securely engage the anchor assembly, and a top post segment adapted to securely engage the bottom post segment in selectively removable relation, and wherein the top post segment comprises at least one strap connection member, with the strap members being adapted for engagement with and suspension from the strap connection member. 
     
     
         47 . A kit according to  claim 46 , wherein the strap connection member comprises a mounting hoop securely engaging a top portion of the top post segment. 
     
     
         48 . A kit according to  claim 34 , wherein each of the exercise stations comprises at least one pair of the strap members, with the strap members of each said pair being adapted to hang at a substantially uniform height above the mounting surface relative to one another. 
     
     
         49 . A kit according to  claim 48 , wherein each of the exercise stations comprises two pairs of the strap members, with the pairs being adapted to hang at substantially different heights above the mounting surface relative to one another. 
     
     
         50 . A kit according to  claim 34 , provided with four of the exercise stations, with adjacent ones of the exercise stations being adapted to be equidistantly spaced about the post member relative to one another. 
     
     
         51 . A kit according to  claim 34 , wherein the foot ladder member comprises two or more of the step portions, longitudinally spaced from one another along the rail portion; wherein the step portions are provided with planar surfaces, one each, to accommodate said at least one foot of the user; and wherein on each said foot ladder member, each of the planar surfaces is oriented at a different degree of incline, relative to the rail portion, than each other. 
     
     
         52 . A kit according to  claim 51 , wherein on each said foot ladder member, each of the planar surfaces is oriented at a steeper degree of incline, relative to the rail portion, than each other one of the planar surfaces that is adapted to be further from the post member. 
     
     
         53 . A kit according to  claim 34 , further comprising a cart adapted for storage and/or transport of the anchor assembly, the post member, and the exercise stations of the suspended training exercise device in an unassembled configuration.