US20020082145A1

US20020082145A1 - Foldable and portable dip bar arrangement

Info

Publication number: US20020082145A1
Application number: US10/014,643
Authority: US
Inventors: Scott Hamilton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-12-12
Filing date: 2001-12-10
Publication date: 2002-06-27

Abstract

A foldable and portable dip bar arrangement (7) for performing dip exercises that condition the triceps and pectorial muscles comprising a left grip bar (1) being an elongate member with an arch shape that serves as a hand hold for left hand of exerciser while performing dips, a right grip bar (2) being elongate member with an arch shape that serves as a hand hold for right hand of exerciser while performing dips, left major supports (3A and 3B) are a pair of elongate members with one end in contact with the floor and other end connecting to ends of left grip bar and when in the unfolded position left major supports and left grip bar form an inverted U-shape, right major supports (3C and 3D) are a pair of elongate members with one end in contact with the floor and other end connecting to ends of right grip bar and when in the unfolded position right major supports and right grip bar form an inverted U-shape, left minor supports (4A and 4B) are a pair of elongate members with one end in contact with the floor and opposing end meeting left major supports at a point along the length of left major supports that is approximately {fraction (35/52)}nds the length of left major supports and at the vertex where left minor support and left major support meet an angle of approximately 54° is formed when in the unfolded position, right minor supports (4C and 4D) are a pair of elongate members with one end in contact with the floor and opposing end meeting right major supports at a point along the length of right major supports that is approximately {fraction (35/52)}nds the length of right major supports and at the vertex where right minor support and right major support meet an angle of approximately 54° is formed when in the unfolded position, linking members (5A, 5B, 5C, 5D) are flat elongate members with one end pin connected to major supports and opposing end pin connected to minor supports.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field

This invention relates to foldable and portable exercise equipment. Specifically, it relates to a foldable and portable dip bar arrangement for performing dip exercises.

2. Description of the Background

Dips are a common exercise that conditions the triceps and pectoral muscles. Dip exercises are performed on exercise equipment called, “dip bars.” Dip bars are two horizontal parallel bars. Dip bars are commonly positioned approximately at chest height and spaced approxinately shoulder width apart. The exerciser positions his hands on the dip bar with the palms down, the thumbs on the inside of the dip bar, with the fingers on the outside of the dip bar. To mount the bar, the exerciser hops up and extends the arms until the elbows are locked and the arms are approximately perpendicular to the dip bars. To complete one repetition, the exerciser bends the elbows and lowers the torso until the chest is even with the dip bars. The exerciser then raises the torso back to the starting position and one repetition is complete.

Dip bars are often made of threaded pipe of approximately two-inch diameter. At the ends of the dip bar are 90° threaded female elbows. The vertical supports for the dip bar hold the dip bar at approximately chest level and the portion of the supports in contact with the ground are rigidly fixed to the ground by cement anchors. These dip bars occupy a large volume and are frequently immobile. When they are mobile, they occupy much space. These dip bars are neither foldable nor easily portable.

The present invention seeks to overcome these limitations and others that will become obvious in the ensuing description.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the disadvantages inherent in the known types of exercise equipment for performing dip exercises, the present invention provides a foldable and portable structure for ease of transport and storage during periods of non-use. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of this application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved exercise equipment with all the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages. Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved exercise equipment which may be easily manufactured and marketed, yet comprised of durable and reliable construction. Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved exercise equipment for availability to the buying public through low purchase prices, a result of the low cost of materials and labor to manufacture, store, and ship to vendors.

These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize this invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims which form a part of this application. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred emobodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of foldable and portable dip bar arrangement in the unfolded position. [0010]
FIG. 2 is an elevational view of foldable and portable dip bar arrangement showing the trapezoidal shape of grip bar and pair of major supports.[0011]

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0012] 1. left grip bar
[0013] 2. right grip bar
[0014] 3. major supports
[0015] 4. minor supports
[0016] 5. linking members
[0017] 6. connecting members
[0018] 7. foldable and portable dip bar arrangement
[0019] 8. left assembly
[0020] 9. right assembly
[0021] 10. grip bar
[0022] 11. sloping major support

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of foldable and portable [0023] dip bar arrangement 7. Foldable and portable dip bar arrangement 7 consists of a left assembly 8 and a right assembly 9. Left assembly 8 and right assembly 9 are identical and when setup for use appear as mirror images.
At uppermost portion of [0024] left assembly 8 is left grip bar 1. Left grip bar 1 is made of 2-inch diameter cylindrical metal tubing but any number of diameters and ergonomic geometries can be used. Length of left grip bar 1 forming an arch shape but other shapes can be used Left grip bar 1 is three feet in length but other lengths can be implemented At ends of left grip bar I are interfaces for major support 3A and major support 3B. Arch shape of left grip bar 1 serves to better distrubute the weight of dip bar exerciser while perforing dips.
At uppermost portion of [0025] right assembly 9 is right grip bar 2. Right grip bar 2 is made of 2-inch diameter cylindrical metal tubing but any number of diameters and ergonomic geometries can be used. Length of right grip bar 2 forming an arch shape but other shapes can be used Right grip bar 2 is three feet in length but other lengths can be implemented. At ends of right grip bar 2 are interfaces for major support 3C and major support 3D. Arch shape of right grip bar 2 serves to better distrubute the weight of dip bar exerciser while perforing dips.
[0026] Major support 3A and major support 3B are made of 2-inch diameter cylindrical metal tubing but any number of diameters and geometries can be used. Major support 3A and major support 3B are approximately 5.15 feet in length but other lengths can be used. Major support 3A and major support 3B form approximately a 54° acute angle to the horizontal plane of the floor when in the unfolded open position. Major support 3A and major support 3B have two ends. One end of major support 3A and major support 3B is in direct contact with the floor. The opposite end of major support 3A and major support 3B interface with the end of left grip bar 1.
[0027] Major support 3C and major support 3D are made of 2-inch diameter cylindrical metal tubing but any number of diameters and geometries can be used Major support 3C and major support 3D are approximately 5.15 feet in length but other lengths can be used. Major support 3C and major support 3D form approximately a −54° acute angle to the horizontal plane of the floor when in the unfolded open position. Major support 3C and major support 3D have two ends. One end of major support 3C and major support 3D is in direct contact with the floor. The opposite end of major support 3C and major support 3D interface with the end of right grip bar 2.
Together, left grip bar [0028] 1, major support 3A, and major support 3B form an inverted u-shape. Major support 3A and major support 3B form the vertical sides of the inverted u-shape. Left grip bar 1 forms the horizontal portion of the inverted u-shape. Left grip bar 1 forms a bridge between major support 3A and major support 3B.
Together, right grip bar [0029] 2, major support 3C, and major support 3D form an inverted u-shape. Major support 3C and major support 3D form the vertical sides of the inverted u-shape. Right grip bar 2 forms the horizontal portion of the inverted u-shape. Right grip bar 2 forms a bridge between major support 3C and major support 3D.
[0030] Minor support 4A and minor support 4B is made of 2-inch diameter cylindrical metal tubing but any number of diameters can be used. Minor support 4A and minor support 4B are approximately 2.943 feet in length but other lengths can be used. Minor support 4A and minor support 4B have two ends. One end of minor support 4A and minor support 4B is in direct contact with the floor. Opposite end of minor support 4A abuts major support 3A approximately 3.459 feet along the length of major support 3A. Additionally, opposite end of minor support 4B abuts major support 3B approximately 3.459 feet along the length of major support 3B. Minor support 4A and minor support 4B oppose the moment created about major support 3A and major support 3B respectively, at the point that major support 3A and major support 3B contact the floor thereby maintaining left assembly 8 in a state of static equilibrium when in the unfolded position.
[0031] Minor support 4C and minor support 4D is made of 2-inch diameter cylindrical metal tubing but any number of diameters can be used. Minor support 4C and minor support 4D are approximately 2.943 feet in length but other lengths can be used. Minor support 4C and minor support 4D have two ends. One end of minor support 4C and minor support 4D is in direct contact with the floor. Opposite end of minor support 4C abuts major support 3C approximately 3.459 feet along the length of major support 3C. Furthermore, opposite end of minor support 4D abuts major support 3D approximately 3.459 feet along the length of major support 3D. Minor support 4C and minor support 4D oppose the moment created about major support 3C and major support 3D respectively, at the point that major support 3C and major support 3D contact the floor thereby maintaining right assembly 9 in a state of static equilibrium when in the unfolded position.
Linking [0032] member 5A and linking member 5B are made of 2-inch wide flat metal slats approximately 0.589 feet in length but other widths and lengths may be used. Linking member 5A and linking member 5B have two ends. One end of linking member 5A and linking member 5B is pin connected to major support 3A and major support 3B respectively. Opposite end of linking member 5A and linking member 5B is pin connected to minor support 4A and minor support 4B respectively. Linking member 5A and linking member 5B connect major support 3A, major support 3B, minor support 4A, and minor support 4B at the desired angle when in the unfolded position. Linking member 5A and linking member 5B allow major support 3A, major support 3B, minor support 4A, and minor support 4B to sweep out maximum angles of approximately 50°. At this maximum angle, major support 3A, major support 3B, minor support 4A, and minor support 4B provide stability for left assembly 8 thereby preventing tipping when in the unfolded position.
Linking [0033] member 5C and linking member 5D are made of 2-inch wide flat metal slats approximately 0.589 feet in length but other widths and lengths may be used. Linking member 5C and linking member 5D have two ends. One end of linking member 5C and linking member 5D is pin connected to major support 3C and major support 3D respectively. Opposite end of linking member 5C and linking member 5D is pin connected to minor support 4C and minor support 4D respectively. Linking member 5C and linking member 5D connect major support 3C, major support 3D, minor support 4C, and minor support 4D at the desired angle when in the unfolded position. Linking member 5C and linking member 5D allow major support 3C, major support 3D, minor support 4C, and minor support 4D to sweep out maximum angles of approximately 50°. At this maximum angle, major support 3C, major support 3D, minor support 4C, and minor support 4D provide stability for right assembly 9 thereby preventing tipping when in the unfolded position.
Connecting [0034] member 6A serves to ensure lower portion of major support 3A is held parallel to lower portion of major support 3B. Connecting member 6A opposes the moment created about major support 3A and major support 3B respectively, at the point that major support 3A and major support 3B connect to left grip bar 1. Moreover, connecting member 6B serves to ensure lower portion of minor support 4A is held parallel to lower portion of minor support 4B.
Connecting [0035] member 6C serves to ensure lower portion of major support 3C is held parallel to lower portion of major support 3D. Connecting member 6C opposes the moment created about major support 3C and major support 3D respectively, at the point that major support 3C and major support 3D connect to right grip bar 2. Further, connecting member 6D serves to ensure lower portion of minor support 4C is held parallel to lower portion of minor support 4D.
Foldable and portable [0036] dip bar arrangement 7 has two states. One state is the folded state not shown in this view. The second state is the unfolded state shown in FIG. 1. To perform dips on portable and foldable dip bar arrangement 7, unfold left assembly 8 and right assembly 9 and position so that left grip bar 1 and right grip bar 2 are horizontal with respect to the floor and parallel with respect to each other. Additionally, right assembly 9 is positioned so as to be a mirror image of left assembly 8. Left assembly 8 and right assembly 9 are positioned so that left grip bar 1 and right grip bar 2 are approximately shoulder width apart. Exerciser then stands between left assembly 8 and right assembly 9. The exerciser positions his left hand midway along the length of left grip bar 1 with the palms down and thumb toward the body. Furthermore, the exerciser positions his right hand midway along length of right grip bar 2 with the palms down and thumb toward the body. To mount the bar, the exerciser hops up and extends the arms until the elbows are locked and the arms are approximately perpendicular to left grip bar 1 and right grip bar 2. To complete one repetition the exerciser bends the elbows and lowers the torso until the chest is even with the dip bars. The exerciser then raises the torso back to the starting position and one repetition is complete.
Referring now to FIG. 2 an alternative embodiment of the invention shows [0037] grip bar 10, sloping major support 11A, and sloping major support 11B forming a trapezoidal shape. Sloping major support 11A and sloping major support 11B form the angled sides of the trapezoidal shape. Grip bar 10 forms the horizontal portion of the trapezoidal shape. Grip bar 10 forms a bridge between sloping major support 11A and sloping major support 11B. This trapezoidal shape serves to add rigidity and strength to foldable and portable dip bar arrangement.

Claims

I claim:

1. A foldable and portable dip bar arrangement for performing dip exercises that condition the triceps and pectorial muscles comprising:

a freestanding foldable and portable left assemble that when in the unfolded position serves to support left side of a persons body while performing dip exercises;

a freestanding foldable and portable right assembly identical to but positioned to mirror left assembly that serves to support the right side of a persons body while performing dip exercises.

2. A foldable and portable dip bar arrangement for performing dip exercises that condition the triceps and pectorial muscles comprising:

a left grip bar being an elongate member with an arch shape that serves as a hand hold for left hand of exerciser while performing dips;

a right grip bar being elongate member with an arch shape that serves as a hand hold for right hand of exerciser while performing dips;

left major supports are a pair of elongate members with one end in contact with the floor and other end connecting to ends of left grip bar and when in the unfolded position left major supports and left grip bar form an inverted U-shape;

right major supports are a pair of elongate members with one end in contact with the floor and other end connecting to ends of right grip bar and when in the unfolded position right major supports and right grip bar form an inverted U-shape;

left minor supports are a pair of elongate members with one end in contact with the floor and opposing end meeting left major supports at a point along the length of left major supports that is approximately {fraction (35/52)}nds the length of left major supports and at the vertex where left minor support and left major support meet an angle of approximately 54° is formed when in the unfolded position;

right minor supports are a pair of elongate members with one end in contact with the floor and opposing end meeting right major supports at a point along the length of right major supports that is approximately {fraction (35/52)}nds the length of right major supports and at the vertex where right minor support and right major support meet an angle of approximately 540 is formed when in the unfolded position;

linking members are flat elongate members with one end pin connected to major supports and opposing end pin connected to minor supports.

3. Left and right grip bars of claim 2 having an axis that is straight and parrallel to the horizontal plane of the floor.

4. Left and right grip bars of claim 2 being made of two-inch diameter cylindrical tubing.

5. Left and right major supports of claim 2 being approxiamtely 5.15 feet in length.

6. Left and right major supports of claim 2 forming a 54° and −54° acute angle to the horizontal plane of the floor respectively when in the unfolded open position.

7. Left and right minor support of claim 2 being approximately 2.943 feet in length.

8. Linking members of claim 2 being two-inch wide metal slats.

9. Linking members of claim 2 being 0.589 feet in length.

10. A foldable and portable dip bar arrangement for performing dip exercises that condition the triceps and pectorial muscles comprising:

a left grip bar being elongate member that serves as a hand hold for left hand of exerciser while performing dips;

a right grip bar being elongate member that serves as a hand hold for right hand of exerciser while performing dips;

sloping left major supports are a pair of elongate members with one end in contact with the floor and other end connecting to ends of left grip bar and when in the unfolded position left major supports and left grip bar form a trapezoidal shape;

sloping right major supports are a pair of elongate members with one end in contact with the floor and other end connecting to ends of right grip bar and when in the unfolded position right major supports and right grip bar form a trapezoidal shape;

right minor supports are a pair of elongate members with one end in contact with the floor and opposing end meeting right major supports at a point along the length of right major supports that is approximately {fraction (35/52)}nds the length of right major supports and at the vertex where right minor support and right major support meet an angle of approximately 54° is formed when in the unfolded position;