Reformer exercise apparatus

ES 2 319 683 T3

DESCRIPTION

Gymnastic reformer apparatus.

Background of the invention

Field of the invention

This invention relates, in a general way, to the field of gymnastic equipment in which a movable trolley is used to support, at least partially, the body of a user, generally called "reformers", and, more particularly, to a compact lightweight reformer.

Description of Related Art

Joseph H. Pilates, in US Patent No. 1,621,477, originally developed the concept of using a wheeled platform cart connected with a resistance device, such as a group of weights, in conjunction with a stationary frame, to provide variable resistance. against which a user could push with their feet or pull with their arms while in a sitting or lying position, in order to exercise the main muscle groups of the trunk, legs and / or arms of the user. Since then, many changes and many improvements in the design of this type of apparatus have been put into practice by Joseph Pilates himself, and, more recently, by his students and others. US Patent Document No. 5,066,005 and my own patents related to the foregoing are representative of the current state of evolutionary development of the changes that have taken place since 1927.

Current conventional "reformer" type apparatus includes a wheeled platform carriage that moves on a rectangular frame of wood or metal. The above-mentioned patent describes examples of wood-frame reformers. An example of a metal frame reformer is described in US Patent No. 5,792,033 to Merrithew. The carriage moving on the frame is connected with a series of parallel elastic members or springs which, in turn, are connected with the foot end of the rectangular frame. Typically, the carriage moves on parallel rails or tracks mounted, typically, on the inside of the longer sides of the rectangular frame. This cart has a padded flat top surface, and typically includes a pair of vertical shoulder pads and a headrest, at one end, intended to support the shoulders and head of the user when lying on the cart. There is an adjustable foot bar / footrest or footrest against which the user can position their feet, provided at the foot end of the rectangular frame. A spring support rod is positioned at the end of the feet, between the tracks, by a spring support bracket, fixed to the frame. Typically, the stem fits into one of three or four recesses or slots in the support bracket, depending on the size or capacity of the user. Alternatively, the spring support rod may be permanently attached to the frame. The user can push against the footrest to move the trolley along the tracks, away from the footrest against the tension of the springs, in order to exercise the muscle groups of the legs and feet according to movement routines prescribed. The carriage is prevented from approaching the footrest by a stopper pin typically attached to the top of each track, against which the carriage rests when at rest. The maximum limit of carriage travel is reached when the headrest rests against the wall at the head end of the frame.

US patent no. 5,607,381 discloses a gymnastic apparatus according to the preamble of claim 1.

US patents nos. 5,338,276, 5,607,381 and 5,681,249 describe reformers and various footrest arrangements and adjustable headrest assemblies for this type of gymnastics apparatus. One of the difficulties that currently available reformers do not optimally address is the portability and storage of the apparatus. Consequently, there is a need for a reformer-type gymnastics apparatus that can be stored and transported efficiently without sacrificing features such as presenting an adjustable carriage and spring arrangement that allows extreme body sizes to be accommodated, as well as positioning The trolley is optimal relative to the footrest for users within the normal range of body sizes. Another problem with conventional reformer design is that the reformer is relatively bulky, heavy, and occupies a substantial floor area even when not in use. Almost all reformers have a footprint of approximately 0.6 m by 2.1 or 2.5 m. Therefore, in a classroom or study environment a substantial amount of floor area has to be fully allocated to the reformers.

Document US 2,733,922 describes a leg gymnastics apparatus for people affected by polio, comprising a main support and individual foot supports on said main support.

Therefore, there is a need for a reformer that can be moved and stored compactly when not in use.

Often times, a user may wish to take the reformer to different places. Unfortunately, for this purpose, almost all of the currently available reformers are heavy and are not intended to be easily transported. Consequently, there is a need for a full-featured reformer that has a design

ES 2 319 683 T3 frame that can be easily disassembled and transported by one person and can be easily assembled for use.

In certain situations, the movable carriage of conventional reformers may tend to tilt upward from the rails on which the carriage moves, for example, when a user incorrectly steps on the edge of the carriage with one foot and with another foot the frame. Therefore, there is also a need for a reformer apparatus that safely and inherently retains the carriage on the tracks or rails, and which, at the same time, allows free and guided movement of the carriage along the rails, in against spring tension.

Compendium of the invention

The gymnastics reformer apparatus in accordance with the present invention addresses the above identified limitations of conventional reformer designs.

A gymnastics apparatus is claimed comprising a generally rectangular frame with an end member for the head and an end member for the feet, and including a pair of separate, parallel, rail members forming part of the frame, a cart frame mounted movable to move along the rail members, the carriage presenting a generally flat top surface, and a foot support assembly, mounted on the frame near the end of the feet, comprising a foot bar, in U, with a pair of separate, parallel leg parts, characterized in that each leg part is fixed, in rotation, by means of a pin pivot, on a vertical footbar support plate, movably attached to one of the rail members, each support plate having an elongated base portion and an arcuate portion extending from the base part.

The optional features are set forth in the claims appended hereto.

They describe a gymnastic apparatus comprising a wheeled cart with a generally flat top surface. The carriage is mounted so that it can move on parallel track members of a generally rectangular frame having a head end and a foot end. The carriage includes a pair of upwardly extending shoulder pads provided at one end thereof and a headrest, between the shoulder pads, extending outward from the carriage towards the head end of the frame. . A plurality of elastic members may be selectively connected between the foot end of the frame and the carriage, in order to elastically load the carriage in the direction of the foot end of the frame.

The frame essentially comprises a pair of metal extrusion rail members, spaced, in parallel relationship, by a foot end support member and a head end support member. A pair of upright arm-like extensions are secured to the head end support member at the head end of each of the rails. A spring support bracket, integral with the foot end support member, is used to secure one end of each spring of a plurality of springs.

The head end of the frame supports a pair of vertical pulley support arms to which rope pulleys are attached, in order to allow the carriage to move against the spring tension along the entire length of the parallel tracks, when the user pulls the cables attached to the trolley and extending around the pulleys.

The rail members of the frame consist of a single metal extrusion with a closed middle part, an inner guide / support channel part, and an outer T-slot part. The frame may be formed of two removable sections, a section corresponding to the head and a section corresponding to the feet, in order to offer a highly portable and compact gymnastics apparatus. The two sections are joined by bayonet-type tabs that fit into the middle portions of the extrusion of the other section of rail members.

The carriage assembly is trapped between the rail members by separate roller wheel and guide roller assemblies, in which four roller wheels move in the guide / support channels of the extrusion rail members to retain the cart on the rails. The guide rollers move in the same channel as the support roller wheels but are engaged against the vertical wall of the support channel, in order to avoid carriage lock on the rail members and minimize friction between the carriage. and the rails.

The foot bar assembly consists of a generally U-shaped bar member supported by a support bracket assembly that slides into the T-slot of the rail members, and includes horizontal and vertical positions for the foot bar together. with various angular positions that allow the footbar to be selectively positioned according to a plurality of vertical positions in relation to the carriage and the foot end of the frame.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the detailed description that follows when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which particular embodiments of the invention are described by way of illustrative examples.

ES 2 319 683 T3

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 is a perspective view, from above, of a first embodiment of the gymnastics reformer apparatus according to the present invention, with the carriage in a partially tensioned position, at a distance from the spring anchor assembly at the end of the frame feet.

Figure 2 is a perspective view, from below, of the gymnastics reformer apparatus shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a side view of the gymnastics reformer apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 2, with the carriage fully distended and retracted against the foot end of the frame.

Figure 4 is an end view of the foot end of the apparatus in accordance with the present invention, taken along line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a sectional view of the apparatus shown in Figure 3, taken along line 5-5 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a sectional view of the apparatus shown in Figure 3, taken along line 6-6 of Figure 3.

Figure 7 is a sectional view of the apparatus shown in Figure 3, taken along line 7-7 of Figure 3.

Figure 8 is a sectional view of the apparatus shown in Figure 3, taken along line 8-8 of Figure 3.

Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of the reformer apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the second embodiment, assembled, of the reformer apparatus according to the present invention.

Figure 11 is a perspective view, separated, of the footbar of both embodiments of the apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 12 is a perspective view, separated, of a pair of footbar support bracket assemblies in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 13 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the gymnastic apparatus according to the present invention.

Fig. 14 is an enlarged, exploded view showing the mounting arrangement of one of the removable shoulder stops of the third embodiment according to the present invention.

Figure 15 is a side view of the third embodiment, shown in Figures 13 and 14, with the shoulder stops and the arm-like posts in storage positions.

Figure 16 is an enlarged, exploded view of the head end of the gymnastics apparatus frame in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention, showing the miter attachment arrangement for joining the rails and end members. .

Figure 17 is a partial exploded view, in perspective, of a fourth embodiment of the gymnastics apparatus according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the end and side rail extrusion used in the fourth embodiment of the gymnastics apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 19 is a perspective view of the head end portion of the apparatus shown in Figure 17.

Figure 20 is a perspective view of the end portion of the feet of the apparatus shown in Figure 17, with the support platform in the raised position.

Figure 21 is a side view of the end portion of the feet of the apparatus shown in Figure 17, in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 22 is a perspective view of part of the footbar assembly shown in Figure 17, illustrated separately from the frame.

Figure 23 is a perspective view, like Figure 17, with optional legs for lifting the gymnastics apparatus off the ground.

ES 2 319 683 T3

Figure 24 is a perspective view of a support assembly intended to support the gymnastics apparatus above the ground.

Figure 25 is a side view of a group of stacked gymnastics apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed description of the invention

A gymnastic apparatus 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown, by perspective views, from above and from below, respectively, in Figures 1 and 2. The gymnastic apparatus 10 comprises a generally rectangular frame 12 with a head end 14 and a foot end 16, and a pair of parallel track or rail members 18 that separate the head end from the foot end 16.

A carriage 20 can be moved by virtue of four roller wheel assemblies 22 fixed on its underside. These wheel assemblies 22 move on the track members 18, supporting and guiding the movement of the carriage 20, reciprocatingly, along the track members 18 of the frame 12. There are a plurality of elastic members, eg, springs 24, selectively connected between carriage 20 and foot end 16, in order to load carriage 20 towards foot end 16.

A footbar assembly 26 is removably attached to frame 12 near the end 16 of the feet to provide a stationary support for a user to push against to move the cart. 20 reciprocating along track members 18. The foot end 16 also includes a flat foot platform 28 for a user to position one foot on it while the other foot is positioned on the cart 20 to perform exercises, while standing, on the apparatus. 10.

The head end 14 is adapted to rigidly separate the rail members 18, and also to support a pair of posts 30 as a removable arm. Preferably, the head end 14 consists of a rectangular box-like tubular extrusion member 32, preferably made of aluminum, permanently attached to the head ends of the rail members 18. The extrusion member 32 has a cutout at each end to receive the head end of each of the rail members 18. The upper side 34 of the tubular box-like extrusion member 32 has an opening therethrough aligned with a corresponding vertical hole through the head end of each of the rail members 18. The opening in the extrusion member 32 and the holes in the rail members 18 form a pair of bases 36, as best seen in the exploded view of Figure 9, to receive the lower ends of the members of arm 30. A locking pin assembly 38, mounted on top 34 of head end extrusion member 32, adjacent each arm member 30, secures arm members 30 to bases 36 when the pin is slid, horizontally, so as to penetrate a coupling hole 40 formed in the bottom of the arm member 30. The upper end of each of the arm members 30 supports a pulley assembly 42. The pulley assemblies 42, in turn, each include a hand rope 44, as shown in Figure 10, passed around them, attached to carriage 20.

Referring again to Figures 1 and 2, carriage 20 comprises a flat support platform 46, generally rectangular in shape. A mat 48 is secured to the upper surface of platform 46. There are a pair of shoulder stops 50, spaced apart, and attached to rectangular platform 46, near one end thereof. These shoulder stops 48 engage the shoulders of a user when the user rests, on his back, on the cart 20 while exercising on the apparatus 10. A padded headrest 52 is attached at a base end, via a hinge, to the plate 46, between the shoulder stops 48. There is a hinged trapezoidal block 54, attached to the underside of the headrest, which allows a user to adjust the inclination of the headrest 52, according to three positions. A pair of vertical posts 56, on each side of headrest 52, provide a location point for grip loop 58 at the end of each of the hand cables 44 (see FIG. 10) when not in use. The other end of the cables 58 is adjustably locked between locking cam rollers 60.

With reference to FIG. 2, specifically, there is an elongated angled anchor bracket or spring bracket 62 attached to the underside of the platform 46. One end of each of the springs 24 is attached to this bracket 62. The other end of each of the springs 24 may be selectively attached either to a hook 64 protruding from the vertical side of the end wall member 16, or around a vertical spool-shaped post 66 (see Fig. 6) attached to the upper surface of the end wall member 16.

End wall member 16 includes an elongated, preferably aluminum, tubular metal extrusion 68 having a rectangular cross section, consisting of a head wall 70, a bottom wall 72, a foot wall 74, and a top wall. 76. A portion of each end of the head wall 70 of the tubular extrusion 68 is cut away to form a pair of recessed surfaces, each sized to receive the end of the feet of one of the track members 18 Track members 18 are attached to extrusion 68 at the recesses, by welding, adhesive, or other suitable means. The vertical head wall 70 of the extrusion 68 has a plurality of hooks projecting in the direction of the carriage 20. These hooks 64 are intended to engage the ends of the feet of the springs 24 and anchor them in the end wall 16. Similarly, the top wall 76 has a plurality of spindle-shaped posts 66, mounted thereon, which offer an alternative attachment point for the springs 24. The position of the hooks 64 on the vertical head wall allows a

ES 2 319 683 T3 relaxed anchoring of the springs 24 when the carriage 20 is fully retracted towards the end 16 of the feet. The position of the posts 66 along the horizontal upper wall 76 provides an alternative anchor point of the springs 24 that allows them to be tensioned, and therefore preload the carriage 20 towards the end 16 of the feet before a user exerts any force against the footbar assembly 26.

In addition, the end 16 of the feet presents the horizontal foot support platform 28 attached to the upper wall 76 of the extrusion 86. Preferably, this platform 28 consists of an elongated plate with folded sides to form a channel-like cross section. , generally in C. One of the sides, facing the carriage 20, includes a cut-out 78 to allow the user to access, that is, to reach the part below and to position the springs 24 on the posts 66, as can be seen in figure 6. As shown shown in the end view of FIG. 4, there are a pair of wheel assemblies 80 attached to the vertical foot wall 74 of extrusion 68. These wheel assemblies 80 allow the apparatus 10 to be easily transported by simply lifting the head end 14 until the wheels engage the ground, then rolling the apparatus as one would roll a wheelbarrow. Finally, a plate 82, in the form of an upwardly open channel, is horizontally attached to the vertical toe wall 74, between the wheel assemblies 80. This plate 82 has a slot for receiving and supporting a lower edge of a skip board 84, as shown in Figure 10.

Track or rail members 18 are shown, in cross section, in Figures 5-8. As can be seen in Figure 5, in particular, each track member 18 preferably consists of an aluminum extrusion 88 with a pair of spaced apart vertical longitudinal ribs 90 and 92 forming a box-like mid-section 94. closed, between an upper wall 96 and a lower wall 98 generally flat. The top wall 96 extends inwardly and ends in a curved portion 100 that extends downward. Top wall 96, too, extends horizontally outward and ends in a vertical top exterior wall 102. A longitudinal brace 104, between the first rib 90 and the upper outer wall 102, forms a channel 106, like a closed box, which extends parallel to the middle section 94. The longitudinal brace 104 reinforces the upper outer wall 102.

Bottom wall 98 extends horizontally outward to a bottom exterior vertical wall 108 extending longitudinally. The outer wall 108 is vertically aligned with the upper outer wall 102. The upper wall 96, the lower wall 98, the upper outer wall 102, and the lower outer wall 108 together constitute a C-channel-like outer section that is extends in the longitudinal direction, parallel to the midsection 94. This outer section may also be considered to form a shallow longitudinally extending T-slot 110.

Bottom wall 98, too, extends horizontally inward, from midsection 94 to a vertical inner wall 112 vertically aligned with the end of curved end 100 of upper wall 96 of extrusion 88, to form an inner C-section. constituting a support / guide channel 114 that opens in the opposite direction to the outer C-section or groove 110. Support / guide channel 114 receives wheel assemblies 22, as will be described more fully below.

The structure of the wheel assemblies 22 of the carriage 20 will now be described with reference to Figure 2 and Figures 7-8, in section. Each of the wheel assemblies 22 comprises a sheet metal support bracket 116 having a horizontal mounting portion 118 attached to the underside of the carriage platform 46 by means of screws 120, a support roller wheel 122 supported by a bearing, and a guide roller 124 supported by a bearing. Bracket 116 features a support roll mounting portion 126, bent downward at a right angle, and extending vertically from mounting portion 118, as best seen in sectional view of FIG. 7. A fixed shaft 128 for the support roller 122 extends horizontally outward from the vertical mounting portion 126. Bracket 116 also has a guide roll portion support portion 130 bent at right angles relative to vertical mounting portion 126 and extending outwardly horizontally. A vertically extending guide roll shaft 132 has its upper end fixed in the guide roll support portion 130. The lower end of the guide roller shaft 132 passes through the guide roller roller bearing sleeve 122, and is fixed therein.

Referring now specifically to the sectional view of apparatus 10 taken by the support roller wheel 122 shown in Figure 7, and the sectional view of Figure 5, this wheel 122 moves in the support channel 114 and supports a quarter of the weight of the cart 20 and the user (not shown), as there are four wheel assemblies 22, each mounted adjacent to one corner of the cart platform 46. As best shown in Figures 5 and 8, guide rollers 124, too, move in support channel 114, but do not roll against bottom wall 98 of extrusion 88. Instead, the guides Guide rollers 124 roll along vertical longitudinal rib 92 of extrusion 88, thereby aligning carriage 20 laterally on rail members 18. These guide rollers 124 ensure minimal friction between the carriage 20 and the rail members 18, to result in an exceptionally smooth reciprocating movement of the carriage 20 on the rail members 16 of the apparatus 10 during use. Furthermore, this arrangement, with support roller wheels 122 and guide rollers 124 running in guide channels 114, absolutely prevents carriage 20 from tipping up or being locked against rail members 18 when a user does not properly distribute their weight on the cart 20, symmetrically. This configuration provides a unique security feature to the present invention. In essence, the carriage 20 is attached to the rail members 18 at all times, during normal operation of the apparatus 10. In addition, when the head end 14 is raised in order to engage the foot end wheels 16 with the ground surface so that the apparatus 10 can be transported like a trolley to a storage position,

In 2 319 683 T3 the carriage 20 remains fixed on the rail members 18. To facilitate such type of movement, a handle (not shown) may be fixed on the outer wall of the end 14 of the head.

The footbar assembly 26 comprises a generally U-shaped footbar 140, preferably made of tubular aluminum, with a pair of spaced apart, parallel leg portions 142 and 144, a foot rail portion 146 between. they and a pair of adjustable support bracket assemblies 150. A padded sleeve 148 around the foot bar portion 146 provides cushion support for the feet of a user. The foot bar assembly 26 is shown in Figures 1-4 and 9-10 mounted on the rail members 18, at the end 16 of the feet of the frame 12. Figures 11 and 12 show the bar 140 for the legs. feet and support bracket assemblies 150 in perspective, separated from frame 12.

The foot bar portion 146 includes an S-curved area 152 at each of its ends that meets the leg portions 142 and 144, so that the straight portion of the foot rail portion 146 meets extends fully between the rail members 18, and, when the foot bar 140 is rotated to extend horizontally against the foot end 16, the bar 140 clears the wheels 80. In addition, the recurve region 152 provides a more rigid structure to the footbar 140 than a simple straight curve, at right angles, between the leg and footbar portions. At each distal end of leg portions 142 and 144 is a transverse bushing 154. A pivot pin 156 is fixed, through bushing 154, in a central threaded hole 160 of one of the support brackets 150. There is an elastically loaded stopper pin 158 inserted into a corresponding hole in each of the leg portions 142 and 144, at a distance from the pivot bushing 154, above it. This stopper pin 158 is used to adjust the vertical position of the bar portion 146 for the feet of the bar 140, as will be described in more detail below.

The support brackets 150 are shown separately in Figure 12, and in installed, sectional view, in Figure 6. Each of the support bracket assemblies comprises an elongated anchor bar 162 with a generally T-shaped cross section. complementary to the T-slot 110 of the extrusion 88, so that the anchor bar 162 can slide back and forth in the T-slot 110. Attached to the base of the T-cross section of the anchor bar 162 is a support plate 164 with an elongated base portion 166 extending along the base of the anchor bar 162, and an arcuate portion 168 extending parallel to the top of anchor bar 162. This arcuate part 168 has a series of spaced holes 170, at different angular positions in relation to the central hole 160, which pass through the arched part and the anchor bar part 162. The holes 170 are intended to receive the stopper pin 158 elastically loaded in order to lock the position of the footbar 140, above the rail members 18, at the particular height desired. At least one of the holes 170 is located directly above the central hole 160, allowing a vertical position of the foot bar 140. Another of the holes 170 is horizontally aligned with the center pivot hole 160 so that the foot bar 140 can be fully folded around the foot end 16 of the frame 12.

At the other end of base portion 166 of support plate 164 is a through hole 172, aligned with a through hole in anchor bar 162. This hole 172 receives an elastically loaded stopper pin assembly 174. The shank of stopper shank assembly 174 selectively engages a hole of a plurality of horizontally spaced holes in longitudinal rib 90 of extrusion 88 of rail member 18. The anchor bar 162 of the footbar assembly 26 slides along the T-slot 110. The elastically loaded stopper pin assembly 174 locks the anchor bar 162 in a desired position, along the support member. lane 18.

The footbar assembly 26 may be adjusted in any of several longitudinal positions adjacent to the foot end 16 of the frame 12, as indicated by the position of the holes 170 in Figures 1-3. In addition, the foot bar assembly 26 may be positioned with the anchor bar 162 fully against the foot end of the foot end extrusion 68. In this position, as shown in FIG. 10, the footbar assembly 26 can be used to support the top of the removable jump board 84.

The apparatus according to the present invention can also be provided to be removable and easily transportable by automobile. Figures 9 and 10 show the removable version of the apparatus of the second embodiment 200 of the invention. Apparatus 200 is identical to apparatus 10 described above, except that rail members 18 are made up of two separate aligned sections 18a and 18b. Thus, the numbering and configuration of the remainder of the apparatus 200 correspond to those described above with reference to the first embodiment 10, and therefore will not be repeated.

Apparatus 200 is shown in exploded view in Figure 9, and, assembled, in Figure 10. The middle ends of the rail members 18a are joined by a horizontal end plate 202. Likewise, the middle ends of the members Rail bars 18b are joined by a horizontal end plate 204. These end plates 202 and 204 stiffen the rail structure. An elongated bayonet-type tab 206 extends from the midsection 94 of the rail member 18b. This tongue 206 is adapted to slide into the middle section 94 of the rail member section 18a. Tab 206 has a transverse hole 208 therethrough which must be aligned with a corresponding hole 210 in outer longitudinal rib 90 of extrusion 88 of rail member section 18a when sections 18a and 18b are fully engaged.

ES 2 319 683 T3

Preferably, the through hole 208 is threaded. When the two sections are joined, a threaded anchor bolt 211 can be manually tightened into the transverse hole 208, through the hole 210, to ensure the joint of the assembled apparatus 200. For transportation, it is simply necessary to separate the two halves by unscrewing the bolts, fold the footbar assembly 26 around the end 16 of the feet, remove the arm members 30 from the bases 36, and position the two sections. in a vehicle. Alternatively, the tabs 206 may include a hinged portion (not shown) that allows the two sections 18a and 18b to be separated, pulled, and then folded, for transport.

A third embodiment 300 of the gymnastic apparatus in accordance with the present invention is shown in Figures 13 to 16. In these drawings, similar numbers are used to identify similar components described and illustrated above. The gymnastics apparatus 300 is similar to the first and second embodiments 10 and 200 described above and shown in Figures 1-10, except that in this embodiment the posts 56 have been removed, the shoulder pads 50 are removable and allow the selection of the lateral spacing of the shoulder stops between two positions, the head end and the foot end of the frame 302 are made from the same extrusion as the side rails 18, and the foot bar 303 is removable from the pivoting support members 304 or "tie tubes" attached to the support bracket 164 so that different configurations of foot bars can be used. Finally, for storage of the apparatus, the removable shoulder stops 50 are positioned on a bracket on the inside face of the head end, and the arm-like posts 30 are positioned in holes on the head end, so that the posts 30 extend into the support channel 114 of the rail 18. These storage peculiarities give rise to a device, ready to be stored, only about 14 cm high, and allows a number of devices to be stacked compactly, one on top of the other, keeping all the components of each device together.

Figure 13 shows a perspective view of a gymnastics apparatus 300, with the foot bar 303 separated from the support members 304. Each of the foot bar support members 304, in turn, is attached. on one of the footbar support plates 164, as described above. The footbar 303 has two parallel legs constituting bases 306 that slide telescopically around the free ends 308 of the footbar support members 304. A pair of set screws 310 are used to securely fix footbar 303 to support members 304.

The gymnastics apparatus 300 includes a frame 302 made of four metal extrusion sections 88, as do the rail members 18 of embodiments 10 and 200 described above. Each extrusion 88 of rail members 18, foot end member 314, and head end member 316 has a cross section as shown in Figure 16, similar to that shown in cross sectional views. of Figures 5-8. Again, the extrusions 88 each have a pair of spaced apart vertical longitudinal ribs 90 and 92 that form a closed box-like midsection 94 between a generally flat top wall 96 and bottom wall 98. The top wall 96 extends inwardly and ends in a curved portion 100 that extends downward. The top wall 96, furthermore, extends horizontally outward and bends downward to form a vertical top exterior wall 102. In this embodiment, the longitudinal gusset 104 between the first rib 90 and the upper outer wall 102 does not form a closed box-like channel 106 that extends parallel to the midsection 94, as in the first two embodiments. The longitudinal gusset 104 reinforces the upper outer wall 102, and, according to this particular embodiment 300, connects the upper end of the rib 90 with the outer wall 102, since the formation of the small channel 106 as a closed box, as in the first two embodiments, thanks to the extension of the rib 90 to the lower side of the upper wall 96, it is unnecessary to ensure the strength and stiffness requirements of the extrusion 88 for its intended use.

Bottom wall 98 extends horizontally outward to a vertical bottom exterior wall 108 that extends longitudinally. The outer wall 108 is vertically aligned with the upper outer wall 102. The upper wall 96, the lower wall 98, the upper outer wall 102, and the lower outer wall 108 together constitute a modified outer C-channel section extending in the longitudinal direction, parallel to the midsection 94. This outer section may also be considered to form a shallow longitudinally extending T-slot 110. Bottom wall 98, too, extends horizontally inward, from midsection 94, to a vertical inner wall 112 vertically aligned with the end of curved end 100 of top wall 96 of extrusion 88, to form a section modified C-shaped interior constituting a support / guide channel 114 that opens in the opposite direction to the exterior C-section or groove 110. Support / guide channel 114 receives wheel assemblies 22 on rail members 18.

In the head end member 316, the top wall 96 has vertical holes 36 therethrough which open into the middle box section 94. These holes 36 receive the lower ends of the arm posts 30. Figure 16, showing an exploded view of the head end of the apparatus 300, illustrates the attachment of the rail members 18 with the head end members. and feet 316 and 314. Although only the head end 316 is taught, it should be understood that the foot end 314 is similarly structured and assembled. The ends of the extrusions 88 are beveled at 45 degrees, and are joined by an extruded joining member 318, in an L shape. Each leg of the link member 318 has outer dimensions, in cross section, complementary to the dimensions of the mid-section 94 of the head end member 316 and of the rail member 18, so that when the legs of the link member 318 are inserted into the midsections 94 of the rail member 18 and the head end member 316, an extremely rigid and precise joint is achieved. The connecting member 318 has, through it, a vertical bore 320, at the position of the hole 36 in the wall.

ES 2 319 683 T3 top 96 of the head end extrusion. Thus, when the frame is fully assembled, and an arm support 30 is inserted into the hole 36, the lower end of the arm support 30 passes through the bore 320 of the leg of the joint member 318 and forms a secure base for the arm support. Optionally, in this embodiment 300, the locking pins 38 may be included in the top of the extrusion 88 or omitted. If desired, locking pins 38 can be replaced by a through pin arrangement that horizontally traverses ribs 90 and 92, link member 318, and the base of arm member 30.

The foot end member 314 and the head end member 316 are joined with the rail members 18 by the four joint members 318. After each corner is assembled, a pair of screws (not shown) are inserted into appropriate openings 321 of vertical ribs 90 and 92 of extrusions 88, adjacent to the ends of each extrusion, to rigidly fix ends 316 and 314 of the head and feet in the joint members 318, and therefore in the rails 18, and obtain the rigid frame 302.

The rails 18 can be formed by two separable sections, so that the apparatus can be transported in the trunk of a car, just like the second embodiment 200, shown in Figures 9 and 10. In this case, preferably, tie plates 202 and 204 would be attached to the lower sides of the lower walls 98 of the extrusions 88 in order to stiffen the two sections and exclude the possibility of excessive stresses occurring at the corners and the binding members 318 therein.

Figure 14 shows the mounting arrangement of shoulder stops 50R and 50L, in accordance with this embodiment of the invention. Each shoulder stop 50 comprises a pad 322 attached to one side of a leg 324 of an angled bracket plate 326. The other leg 328 of the angled bracket plate 326 has a pair of bayonet pins 330 projecting from its underside. These pins 330 are laterally offset, each one side of the longitudinal axis of shoulder stop 50. A complementary rectangular mounting plate 332 is attached to the upper surface of carriage platform 46. This mounting plate 332 has a pair of keyway grooves 334 formed therein, also offset to the same side of the longitudinal axis of the leg 328 of the bracket plate 326, and spaced so as to receive the bayonet pins. 330 in them. The right shoulder stop 50R shown in Figure 13 has its bayonet pins offset to the right of the axis of the bracket plate 326 at an angle. The left shoulder stop 50L shown in Figure 13 has its bayonet pins offset to the left of the axis of the bracket plate 326 at an angle. Consequently, if the 50R and 50L shoulder stops are interchanged, the spacing between them will increase. Conversely, if the mounting plates 332 are reversed on the carriage platform 46 and the shoulder stops 50R and 50L are swapped, the alternate arrangement would result in a smaller gap between them. Accordingly, the user can select between a normal side clearance and a wide side clearance for a 332 mounting plate arrangement, and can alternatively select between a normal side clearance and a small side clearance simply by swapping the two. deck mounting plate positions 46.

Shoulder stops 50R and 50L and arm posts 30 are preferably removed and stored when apparatus 300 is not in use. To avoid swapping the shoulder stops and / or losing them when the unit is stored, there is a sheet metal bracket 340, best shown in Figure 16, attached to the inner vertical rib 92 of extrusion 88 of the head end member 316. This bracket 340 has four U-grooves 341 along its upper edge to receive the bayonet pins 330, so that the shoulder stops 50 can be removed from the plates 332 and stored, as shown by the dotted lines of Figure 16 and the side view of Figure 15.

Arm posts 30 are also stored in head end 316, as shown in FIG. 15. The extrusion 88 of the head end member 316, also, has a pair of spaced horizontal holes 342 and 344 in the vertical ribs 90 and 92, and the joint member 318 includes a horizontal hole 346 therethrough, spaced from the ends of the extrusion so that holes 342, 344 and 346 are aligned in the head end member 316 when the frame is assembled. The arm posts 30, when pushed through the holes 342, 344 and 346, extend into and along the support channels 114 of the rails 18. The pulleys 42 prevent the arm posts from penetrating the all in the support channels 114. Alternatively, a clamp (not shown) may be provided on the support channels 114 to retain the arm posts in position.

A fourth preferred embodiment 500 of the gymnastics apparatus according to the invention is shown, in particular, in Figures 17 to 22. As in previous embodiments, similar numbers are used to identify similar components in the description that follows. Referring now to FIG. 17, specifically, gymnastics apparatus 500 is similar to the third embodiment 300 described above and illustrated in FIGS. 13 through 16, with some differences. First, in this embodiment the shoulder stops 50 are removable, as in the third embodiment 300, but they are stored, directly, in blind keyway slots of the frame 502. Both the side rails, as well as the head end and the end of the the frame feet 502 are made from the same extrusion 504. Extrusion 504 features three screw passages 506, 509, and 510, as shown in Figure 18, formed in the vertical ribs or walls, which allow the head and foot end corners of the frame 502 to simply be beveled and be joined to one another by means of three screws, as shown in figure 19. These screws extend, through the outer wall or rib of the extrusion of a side member of the frame or an end member of the frame, to penetrate the screw passage of the other member, rather than having to use a member of the frame. extruded joint 318 in L. The foot platform 28 is hinged for easy access to hooks 64 and spring anchor posts 66. Finally, the arm posts 30 are secured at their bases by means of a tenon that

ES 2 319 683 T3 traverses the vertical walls of the extrusion. Each of these modifications will be described in more detail below.

Referring now to Figure 17, gymnastics apparatus 500 includes a generally rectangular frame 502 made of a foot end member 514 and a head end member 516 that join opposite ends of a pair of side rail members. 518 parallels. Each of these members consists of an extrusion section 504. A movable carriage 20 slides by rollers, as described above with reference to the first three embodiments 100, 200 and 300. A pair of removable shoulder stops 50R and 50L include bayonet pins 330 which interchangeably engage in complementary key slots in carriage 20 to allow two alternative horizontal shoulder stops.

Extrusion 504 is shown in section in Figure 18. Extrusion 504 has an upper wall 524 and a lower wall 526, separated by a pair of parallel outer and inner vertical ribs or walls 528 and 530. These ribs or walls define, between them, a closed box-like channel 532. There is an outer screw passage 506, open inward from outer wall 528, and extends longitudinally into outer wall 528, midway between upper wall 524 and lower wall 526. Upper and lower inner screw passageways 508 and 510 divide inner wall 530, preferably are spaced from upper and lower walls 524 and 526 by the same distance and extend inwardly from inner wall 530 at direction to outer wall 528. These screw passages 506, 508, and 510 form straight C-channels that extend longitudinally throughout the length of the extrusion. When the ends of the frame members 518 and 516 are beveled they can be joined, as shown in Figure 19, by a long screw that passes through a hole in the side rail 518 and penetrates the screw passage 506 of the end member 516. of the head, and two long screws 534 that pass through holes in the end member 516 and penetrate into the upper and lower screw passages 508 and 510 of the side member 518. Once the screws 534 are tightened, the beveled corners are joined, resulting in a very solid structure.

Each of the arm posts 30 extends vertically downward through the box channel 532. A removable pin (not shown) is inserted into each hole 536 and through post 30 to secure each arm post 30 in position. When the vertical bore to receive the post 30 is made by making an appropriately sized hole in the box-like channel 532 of the extrusion 504 that constitutes the head end member 516, parts of the passageways are removed. screw 506, 508 and 510. The result is that the outer surface of the lower end portion of the post 30 is brought into contact with the rest of the three screw passageways so that the post 30 is sandwiched between them, and thereby is reinforced and stiffened. post 30 mounted on head end member 516. The arm posts 30 are removed from the vertical holes and inserted into the holes 538 in the head end portion 516 when the apparatus 500 is ready for storage, as shown in FIG. 15.

The inside of the top wall 524, between the posts 30, is partially cut away, down to the inside vertical wall 530. A series of four vertical keyway slots 522 are cut or notched in the vertical wall 530. These slots 522 receive the dowels. of bayonet 330 of the shoulder stops 50 when the stops 50 are stowed against the end 516 of the head. These shoulder stops 50 are stored as in Figure 16, but, in this embodiment, directly against the head end member 516.

In Figure 18 it can be seen that the top wall 524, the bottom wall 526 and the outer vertical rib or wall 528 together form a longitudinally extending T-slot 110, as in the first three embodiments. Similarly, bottom wall 526, interior vertical wall or rib 530, and top wall 524 form a modified interior C-section constituting support / guide channel 114, opening in the opposite direction of groove 110. Support / guide channel 114 receives wheel assemblies 22 on rail members 518, in the same manner as in the other embodiments 100, 200, and 300 described above.

The end portion of the feet of the apparatus 500 is shown, in perspective, in Figures 20 to 22. The end portion of the feet of the apparatus 500 is similar to that of the third embodiment 300, illustrated in Figures 13 to 15. But the support platform 28 is hinged by means of the hinge 540, best shown in Figure 21. The hinged platform 28 can be raised in a counterclockwise direction, as shown in FIG. 21, until it rests on the jump board support bracket 82 (not shown in FIG. 21). The hinged platform 28 allows the user easy access to the alternate spring support pins 66. In addition, the wheel assembly support bracket 80 includes a hole that forms a "fisheye" 580. One end of a foot strap (not shown) can be attached to fisheye 580. The other end of the foot strap attaches to fisheye 580 of opposing wheel assembly 80.

It is noted that, in FIG. 21, the lower hole 170 in the bracket 164 is slightly above the horizontal position of the pivot point 156. When the foot bar 140 is positioned with the pin 158 in this hole 170 , the footbar 140 will be slightly inclined relative to the horizontal. This configuration is shown in the side view of Figure 15. This tilt allows the units 100, 200, 300 and 500 to be stacked and causes the wheel assemblies 80 to protrude so that the user can roll the apparatus to a storage position.

The foot end portion of the apparatus 500 includes a foot bar quick release arrangement 400, shown in the enlarged, exploded perspective view of Figure 22. This quick release arrangement 400

ES 2 319 683 T3 according to this aspect of the invention may be used in any of the apparatus 100, 200, 300 or 500. In addition, the foot bar arrangement 303 or 140 may be incorporated with the quick release arrangement 400. In the description that follows, the foot bar arrangement 140 shown in FIG. 11a will be used by way of example. Quick release arrangement 400 includes an elongated quick release lever 402, attached to a stationary fulcrum pin 404 protruding from each leg 142 or 144 of foot bar 140.

Lever 402 consists of an elongated member with one end 412 attached to the head end of spring pin 158, slidably supported on leg 142 or 144 of foot bar 140 and traversing said leg to penetrate into one of the holes 170 of the plate 164. The elastic pin 158 is loaded, as shown in Figure 6, by a spring, located inside the leg 142, which pushes the elastic pin 158 against the plate 164, and, therefore, causes it to penetrate into one of holes 170, properly aligned. A user wishing to modify the height of the foot bar 140 simply has to grasp the legs 402 and 404 while pressing the free ends of the levers 402 against the legs 142 and 144, in order to pivot the lever 402. around the fulcrum pin 404 and pull the spring pin 158 out of the hole 170 in the plate 164. Next, you have to rotate the foot bar 140 to the desired position and release the levers 402. The user will then slightly adjust the position of the foot bar 140 until the spring pins 158 snap into the closest holes 170 to the desired position.

Lever 402 may be a generally flat sheet metal bar, bent to follow the contour of leg 142 or 144, or it may be an ergonomically shaped, elongated, curved plate member with a generally complementary shape relative to that of leg 142 or 144. Preferably, the end 412 of the lever 402 connected with the spring pin 158 has a slot which receives the head of the spring pin 158 and can be secured therein, for example, by a pin shaft with its ends fixed on the lever 402 and passing through a transverse hole in the head of the spring pin 158. Alternatively, the end of lever 402 may simply be hooked into a notch in or below the head of spring pin 158 or movably attached to the head of spring pin 158.

Typically, each of the fixtures 100, 200, 300, and 500 is supported directly on a flat surface, such as a floor. But there are situations where it may be desirable to lift the apparatus for use, especially in clinical settings. Figure 23 shows an apparatus 500 as in Figure 17, incorporating a group of legs 550. Each leg 550 consists of an elongated sheet metal body, bent to form a vertical leg portion 552 with a horizontal L-cross section, a flat foot end 554, and a flat top flange 556. Alternatively, leg 550 may be a member. extruded with an appropriate shape. Flange 556 is secured to the underside of frame 502, preferably by threaded fasteners, which allow the user, if desired, to disassemble it. Typically, the legs 550 are approximately 20-30 cm long and are attached to the frame 502 at the corners of the frame so that the beveled corners are fully supported by the flange 556. A cushioned shim may be installed. on foot end 554, or a threaded leveling foot (not shown) can be attached to foot end 554 for use on uneven floors.

An alternative support arrangement 560 of appliances 100, 200, 300, and 500 is shown in FIG. 24. Support 560 includes a rectangular frame 562 preferably made of angled aluminum, beveled and corner welded. Bracket 560 has four legs 550 attached to the corners of frame 562, preferably in the manner described above. Frame 562 has a flat top 564 and vertical sides 566. A matching spike 568, attached to the inside edge of the flat top 564, protrudes therefrom. The gymnastics apparatus 500 is positioned, aligned, on the flat top 564, and then lowered against it so that each of the spikes 568 protrudes upward along the inside edge of the bottom wall 526, thus ensuring frame 502 on bracket 560. Alternatively, the spikes 568 may be positioned on the top 564 so as to fit into appropriately positioned, pre-drilled holes in the bottom wall 526 of the frame 502. Optionally, the bracket 560 may have a number of spikes 568 spaced apart. along the inner edge or outer edge of flat top 564, in order to align frame 502 with support frame 562. Legs 550 can be attached to support frame 562 by threaded fasteners or can be permanently welded into position.

The gymnastic apparatus 100, 200, 300 and 500 are arranged so that they can be stacked, one on top of the other, as shown in figure 25. This folded and stacked configuration allows a large number of these apparatuses to be stored compactly. in a relatively small space. Additionally, the units can be stacked on a cart, such as a folding chair cart, and stored in a closet.

The present invention may be practiced in ways other than those specifically described and shown above. Many changes, alternatives, variations, and equivalents in relation to the various illustrated and described structures will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, the apparatus can be made of a metal other than aluminum and could also be made of a non-metallic material. Support rollers 122 and guide rollers 124 may be configured differently than shown. Optionally, the guide rollers 124 can be omitted or replaced with a low friction sliding member. The wheel support bracket 116 can be machined, cast, or made of sheet metal. The arm members 30 can be conveniently stored in their entirety, once removed from the bases 36, by clips installed in the support / guide channels 114, near the end of the head 14 or 316. The interlocking pin assemblies 38 can be different from those shown, or be omitted entirely. The pulley assemblies 42 can be attached to the arms 30 of the

ES 2 319 683 T3 so that they can be adjusted in height above the end 14 of the head. The frame 12 can be positioned substantially above the ground by virtue of vertical supports 500 attached to the underside of the bottom wall 98 of the rail members 18. According to the third embodiment 300, the footbar 303 may be replaced with another of a different shape, for example, a narrower one, a platform with appropriately spaced legs, or a flattened footbar arrangement with ends that snap into the legs. brackets 304.

Alternatively, shoulder stops 50R and 50L can be stored by mounting them separately from the end of carriage 20, toward end 516 of frame 502. In addition, keyways 334 and pins 330 can be reversed, with pins 330 mounting on plate 332 and forming the keyways in the bracket plate 326 at an angle. In this case, the head end 316 or 516 would include corresponding pins intended to support the shoulder stops 50 once stored. Legs 550 may be shaped differently from that shown in the drawings, and the guide spikes 568 on the leg support frame 550 may be replaced by a raised flange on frame 562 or other such feature to secure frame 502. of apparatus 100, 200, 300 or 500 on the support frame 562. In the embodiment 500 shown in Figures 23 and 24 the wheels 80 can be removed from the frame 502 and mounted on brackets (not shown) which are then fixed in holes in the legs 550 by means of bolts.

Accordingly, the invention may be practiced in ways other than those described and illustrated herein, specifically with reference to the illustrated embodiments. The present invention is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments illustrated, but to encompass all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents that may be included within the scope of the invention, defined by the claims that follow. All patents, patent applications, and printed publications cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.