Login| Sign Up| Help| Contact|

Patent Searching and Data


Title:
MODULAR FITNESS TRUSS APPARATUS
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2018/185458
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
Retrospectively-installable modular fitness truss apparatus (10) is for use in aiding or supplementing a fitness activity in a fitness environment, and comprises at least one mounting bracket (12), and a plurality of truss-plates (28) interengagable with each other to form a hollow elongate truss member (14) having a geometric lateral cross-section. The truss member (14) is supportable by the said at least one mounting bracket (12). At least one truss-member connector(16) selectively interengages two truss members (14) in end-to-end alignment. A method of retrospectively installing the modular fitness truss apparatus in a fitness environment is also provided.

Inventors:
VESTER JAMES EDWARD (GB)
Application Number:
PCT/GB2018/050723
Publication Date:
October 11, 2018
Filing Date:
March 21, 2018
Export Citation:
Click for automatic bibliography generation   Help
Assignee:
VESTER JAMES EDWARD (GB)
International Classes:
E04C3/04; E04C3/40
Foreign References:
DE19938970A12001-03-08
US5205101A1993-04-27
US1329706A1920-02-03
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
HOCKING, Adrian et al. (GB)
Download PDF:
Claims:
Claims

1. Retrospectively-installable modular fitness truss apparatus (10; 10'; 10"; 10"'; 10"") for use in aiding or supplementing a fitness activity in a fitness environment and which is retrospectively mountable to a wall and/or a support column (18; 18'), the truss apparatus (10; 10'; 10"; 10"'; 10"") comprising: at least one mounting bracket;

a plurality of truss-plates (28) interengagable with each other to form a hollow elongate truss member (14) having a geometric lateral cross-section,

the truss member (14) being supportable by the said at least one mounting bracket; and at least one truss-member connector (16) to selectively interengage two truss members (14) in end-to-end alignment.

2. Modular fitness truss apparatus (10; 10'; 10"; 10"'; 10"") as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mounting bracket includes a wall-engagable element (20') which is engagable with a support wall of the fitness environment, and a projecting wall (22) to engage with a respective truss-plate (28).

3. Modular fitness truss apparatus (10; 10'; 10"; 10"'; 10"") as claimed in claim 2, wherein said wall-engagable element (20') is a wall plate, and at least two said projecting walls (22) extend therefrom to form a cradle for a plurality of said truss-plates (28).

4. Modular fitness truss apparatus (10; 10'; 10"; 10"'; 10"") as claimed in claim 2, wherein said wall-engagable element (20') is a flange, and a said projecting wall (22) extends therefrom to engage with a respective said truss-plate (28). 5. Modular fitness truss apparatus (10; 10'; 10"; 10"'; 10"") as claimed in claim 4, wherein a plane of the said flange is non-perpendicular to a plane of the projecting wall (22) to accommodate mounting of the truss between two abutting walls in the fitness environment.

6. Modular fitness truss apparatus (10; 10'; 10"; 10"'; 10"") as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each truss-plate (28) includes a plurality of apertures (32). 7. Modular fitness truss apparatus (10; 10'; 10"; 10"'; 10"") as claimed in claim 6, wherein each aperture (32) is triangular shaped to improve tensional rigidity.

8. Modular fitness truss apparatus (10; 10'; 10"; 10"'; 10"") as claimed in claim 7, wherein a plurality of said triangular apertures (32) are provided in spaced-apart edge-to-edge alignment along a longitudinal extent of the truss-plate (28).

9. Modular fitness truss apparatus (10; 10'; 10"; 10"'; 10"") as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a said truss-plate (28) includes a connecting flange (34) at at least one longitudinal edge thereof.

10. Modular fitness truss apparatus (10; 10'; 10"; 10"'; 10"") as claimed in claim 9, wherein the connecting flange (34) is integrally formed as one-piece with a body of the truss-plate (28) along at least a majority of a longitudinal extent of the truss-plate (28).

11. Modular fitness truss apparatus (10; 10'; 10"; 10"'; 10"") as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10, wherein a plane of the connecting flange (34) extends non-perpendicularly to a plane of a body of the truss-plate (28). 12. Modular fitness truss apparatus (10; 10'; 10"; 10"'; 10"") as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a truss-plate connector (38) which interconnects adjacent truss- plates (28) along neighbouring longitudinal edges to improve truss member (14) stiffness.

13. Modular fitness truss apparatus (10; 10'; 10"; 10"'; 10"") as claimed in claim 12, wherein the truss-plate connector (38) defines a channel (40) for engaging at least a majority of longitudinal edges of the truss-plates (28).

14. Modular fitness truss apparatus (10; 10'; 10"; 10"'; 10"") as claimed in claim 12 or claim 13, further comprising at least one equipment connector (52) extending from the truss-plate connector (38).

15. Modular fitness truss apparatus (10; 10'; 10"; 10"'; 10"") as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the truss member defines a polygonal lateral cross-section. 16. Modular fitness truss apparatus (10; 10'; 10"; 10"'; 10"") as claimed in claim 15, wherein the polygonal lateral cross-section is triangular or substantially triangular.

17. Modular fitness truss apparatus (10; 10'; 10"; 10"'; 10"") as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the said truss-member connector (16) comprises an angled strap (46) to interengage at least two neighbouring truss-plates (28) of a first said truss member (14) with at least two opposing neighbouring truss-plates (28) of a second said truss-member.

18. Modular fitness truss apparatus (10; 10'; 10"; 10"'; 10"") as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a modular support column (18; 18') having at least one floor bracket; a truss-member mount (60); a plurality of column-plates (62) interengagable with each other to form a hollow elongate column member (55) having a geometric lateral cross-section, the column member (55) being supportable by the said at least one floor bracket; and at least one column-member connector (64) to selectively interengage two column members (55) in end-to-end alignment.

19. Modular fitness truss apparatus (10; 10'; 10"; 10"'; 10"") as claimed in claim 18, wherein the truss-member mount (60) includes a column cap element (76) and a receiver on the column cap element (76) for receiving a truss member (14).

20. Modular fitness truss apparatus (10; 10'; 10"; 10"'; 10"") as claimed in claim 19, wherein the receiver is adapted to interengage opposing ends of two truss members (14).

21. Modular fitness truss apparatus (10; 10'; 10"; 10' "; 10"") as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 20, wherein the truss-member mount (60) is the mounting bracket. 22. Modular fitness truss apparatus (10; 10'; 10"; 10"'; 10"") as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in the form of a kit of parts.

23. A method of retrospectively installing modular fitness truss apparatus (10; 10'; 10"; 10"'; 10"") in a fitness environment, the method comprising the steps of: a] determining a number of truss members (14) required to span a space from at least one support wall defining at least part of a fitness environment; b] assembling and interconnecting said number of truss members (14) from truss-plates (28); and c] mounting the interconnected truss members (14) to the support wall via a said mounting bracket.

24. A method as claimed in claim 23, wherein the said space is defined between two said support walls, and in step c] a second said mounting bracket mounts an opposing end of the interconnected truss members (14) to the second said support wall. 25. A method as claimed in claim 23, further comprising a step of assembling a or the modular support column (18; 18') from column-plates (62), and utilising the modular support column (18; 18') to support an end of the interconnected truss members (14) in step c].

26. Modular truss apparatus (10; 10'; 10"; 10"'; 10"") comprising:

at least one mounting bracket;

a plurality of truss-plates (28) interengagable with each other to form a hollow elongate truss member (14) having a geometric lateral cross-section,

the truss member (14) being supportable by the said at least one mounting bracket; and at least one truss-member connector (16) to selectively interengage two truss members (14) in end-to-end alignment.

27. Modular column apparatus comprising:

at least one floor-engagement element (58);

a mounting platform (76a);

a plurality of column-plates (62) interengagable with each other to form a hollow elongate column member (55) having a geometric lateral cross-section, the column member (55) being supportable by the said at least one floor bracket and cappable by the said mounting platform (76a); and

at least one column-member connector (64) to selectively interengage two column members (55) in end-to-end alignment.

Description:
Modular Fitness Truss Apparatus

The present invention relates to modular truss apparatus, and more specifically but not necessarily exclusively to retrospectively-installable modular fitness truss apparatus. The invention also relates to a method of retrospectively installing said modular fitness truss apparatus in a fitness environment. There is a need for suspension within spaces where additional floor space is unavailable or where physical access and/or view should not be obstructed. This is a particular problem in the field of fitness, including physical activity along with physical and mental wellness. As well as gyms, other fields such as athletics, rehabilitation, medical, and the hospitality industries all may require a suspension device for physical based activities. Space is often at a premium, and if the building is rented or leased, it may be impossible to erect a suspension structure, such as a steel girder or I-beam, without requiring significant alterations to the walls of the building to accommodate required load-bearing, and/or which allows simple removal and making-good when vacating.

Additionally, any suspension device will typically have to be bespoke to adequately fit the available space, thereby increasing production cost and complicating installation. A further problem associated with any suspension device is delivery to an installation site. Where a bespoke product is manufactured, the unit then has to be transported to the building in which it will be installed. If the installation space is not at ground level, further complications arise, typically requiring a crane to hoist the heavy device into the space and potentially through an outside window frame. Transport and installation can all amount to significantly more cost than the device itself in view of weight and physical size.

If the suspension device is going to be stored rather than immediately installed, then again the size of the device formed offsite and shipped to the install location can be prohibitive.

An additional problem also arises when the only available space for installing a suspension device is between two abutting walls across an internal corner, and/or between walls which require the suspension device to be bent at at least one point along its length.

The present invention seeks to provide a solution to all of these problems.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a retrospectively-installable modular fitness truss apparatus for use in aiding or supplementing a fitness activity in a fitness environment and which is retrospectively mountable to a wall and/or a support column, the truss apparatus comprising: at least one mounting bracket; a plurality of truss-plates interengagable with each other to form a hollow elongate truss member having a geometric lateral cross-section, the truss member being supportable by the said at least one mounting bracket; and at least one truss-member connector to selectively interengage two truss members in end-to-end alignment.

Providing at least one mounting bracket allows for the truss apparatus to be retrospectively installed in a given fitness environment, such as to the walls of a gym or home, with ease and without requiring significant alteration to the structure of the walls of the environment. Additionally, the truss members being modularly connectable to each other in end to end alignment allows for a truss of easily customisable length to be formed and therefore the truss can be installed in a variety of environments and especially in environments where space is limited. Preferably, wherein said mounting bracket may include a wall-engagable element which is engagable with a support wall of the fitness environment, and a projecting wall to engage with a respective truss- plate.

Preferably, said wall-engagable element may be a wall plate, and at least two said projecting walls extend therefrom to form a cradle for a plurality of said truss-plates. Preferably, said wall-engagable element may be a flange, and a said projecting wall extends therefrom to engage with a respective said truss-plate.

Preferably, a plane of the said flange may be non-perpendicular to a plane of the projecting wall to accommodate mounting of the truss between two abutting walls in the fitness environment.

Preferably, each truss-plate may include a plurality of apertures. Preferably, each aperture may be triangular shaped to improve tensional rigidity.

Preferably, a plurality of said triangular apertures may be provided in spaced-apart edge-to-edge alignment along a longitudinal extent of the truss-plate.

Preferably, a said truss-plate may include a connecting flange at at least one longitudinal edge thereof.

Preferably, the connecting flange may be integrally formed as one-piece with a body of the truss-plate along at least a majority of a longitudinal extent of the truss-plate.

Preferably, a plane of the connecting flange may extend non-perpendicularly to a plane of a body of the truss-plate. Preferably, the apparatus may further comprise a truss-plate connector which interconnects adjacent truss- plates along neighbouring longitudinal edges to improve truss member stiffness.

Preferably, the truss-plate connector may define a channel for engaging at least a majority of longitudinal edges of the truss-plates. Preferably, the apparatus may further comprise at least one equipment connector extending from the truss-plate connector.

Preferably, the truss member may define a polygonal lateral cross-section.

Preferably, the polygonal lateral cross-section may be triangular or substantially triangular.

Preferably, the said truss-member connector may comprise an angled strap to interengage at least two neighbouring truss-plates of a first said truss member with at least two opposing neighbouring truss-plates of a second said truss-member.

Preferably, the apparatus may further comprise a modular support column having at least one floor bracket; a truss-member mount; a plurality of column-plates interengagable with each other to form a hollow elongate column member having a geometric lateral cross-section, the column member being supportable by the said at least one floor bracket; and at least one column-member connector to selectively interengage two column members in end-to-end alignment.

Preferably, the truss-member mount may include a column cap element and a receiver on the column cap element for receiving a truss member.

Preferably, the receiver may be adapted to interengage opposing ends of two truss members. Preferably, the truss-member mount may be the mounting bracket. Preferably, the apparatus may be in the form of a kit of parts.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of retrospectively installing modular fitness truss apparatus in a fitness environment, the method comprising the steps of: a] determining a number of truss members required to span a space from at least one support wall defining at least part of a fitness environment; b] assembling and interconnecting said number of truss members from truss-plates; and c] mounting the interconnected truss members to the support wall via a said mounting bracket. This method of installation allows for a truss to be retrospectively installed in various environments of differing dimensions, especially an environment where space is limited.

Preferably, the said space may be defined between two said support walls, and in step c] a second said mounting bracket mounts an opposing end of the interconnected truss members to the second said support wall.

Preferably, the method may further comprise a step of assembling a or the modular support column from column-plates, and utilising the modular support column to support an end of the interconnected truss members in step c] .

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a modular truss apparatus comprising: at least one mounting bracket; a plurality of truss-plates interengagable with each other to form a hollow elongate truss member having a geometric lateral cross-section, the truss member being supportable by the said at least one mounting bracket; and at least one truss-member connector to selectively interengage two truss members in end-to-end alignment.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a modular column apparatus comprising: at least one floor-engagement element; a mounting platform; a plurality of column-plates interengagable with each other to form a hollow elongate column member having a geometric lateral cross-section, the column member being supportable by the said at least one floor bracket and cappable by the said mounting platform; and at least one column-member connector to selectively interengage two column members in end-to-end alignment.

A modular column apparatus can provide support for a truss apparatus such that a truss apparatus can be supported without mounting on a wall. The modularity allows for the support to be given at a variety of heights.

The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an isometric view of a first embodiment of modular fitness truss apparatus, in accordance with the present invention and shown assembled;

Figure 2 is a view similar to that of Figure 1 with one end of the truss apparatus exploded for clarity;

Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the exploded portion of the truss apparatus of Figure 2;

Figure 4 shows the truss apparatus installed in a fitness environment, in this case being a gym; Figure 5 shows an isometric view of a second embodiment of modular fitness truss apparatus, in accordance with the present invention and shown installed between two abutting walls;

Figure 6 is an enlarged view of one end of the truss apparatus, shown in Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of modular support column, in accordance with the invention and forming an optional part of a third embodiment of the modular fitness truss apparatus also in accordance with the invention;

Figure 8 is an isometric view of the support column, shown in Figure 7 and with a truss receiver removed for clarity to better show a mounting platform;

Figure 9 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a truss receiver forming part of a column cap element of the support column and shown in situ in Figure 7;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a modular support column forming part of a fourth embodiment of the modular fitness truss apparatus and in accordance with the invention;

Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 9 showing a perspective view of a second embodiment of a truss receiver forming part of a column cap element of the support column and shown in situ in Figure 10; Figure 12 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a modular support column forming part of a fifth embodiment of the modular fitness truss apparatus and in accordance with the invention; and

Figure 13 is a view similar to Figure 9 showing a perspective view of a third embodiment of a truss receiver forming part of a column cap element of the support column and shown in situ in Figure 12.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 to 4 of the drawings, there is shown a first embodiment of retrospectively- installable modular fitness truss apparatus 10 which comprises two wall brackets 12, a plurality of truss members 14, and a plurality of truss-member connectors 16 which interconnect ends of the truss members 14.

Although two wall brackets 12 are referred to in this example, as will be understood hereinafter when describing a modular support column 18, first shown in Figure 7, only one wall bracket 12 may be required. The wall bracket 12 in this embodiment includes a wall-engagable element 20 and a projecting wall 22 which extends therefrom. The wall-engagable element 20 is preferably a rigid mounting plate 24, and this may conveniently be formed of metal having a suitable protective coating. The mounting plate 24 has a geometric shape which preferably matches or substantially matches that of a lateral cross section of the truss members 14, but other circular or non-circular shapes may be considered. One or more fastener ports 26 are advantageously provided on the mounting plate 24, and preferably at or adjacent to a perimeter edge region or portion. The ports 26 may be circular apertures and/or may be slots to accommodate slight misalignment during installation.

The projecting walls 22 are similarly formed of, preferably coated, metal or other suitably rigid material, and extend at right angles to the mounting plate 24. At least two spaced-apart projecting walls 22 are provided for receiving an abutting truss member 14, and each projecting wall 22 in this case extends in or substantially in parallel with an associated edge of the mounting plate 24. In this way, a cradle is formed to seat the end of the truss member 14.

As with the mounting plate 24, a plurality of fastener ports 26 are provided along the projecting walls 22, and these may be circular apertures and/or slots.

Although two projecting walls 22 are provided, a single wall which matches or substantially matches a shape of the truss member 14 may be utilised. Equally, more than two projecting walls may be used.

It is preferred that the projecting walls 22 form a cradle to receive the truss member 14, since this improves load-bearing. However, the projecting walls 22 may be insertable within an abutting truss member 14 instead.

Each truss member 14 is formed from a plurality of truss-plates 28, in this case three, interengagable with each other to form a hollow elongate member having a geometric lateral cross-section. By providing three truss-plates 28, a triangular lateral cross-section can be provided, which has been shown in research to provide excellent weight bearing characteristics, along with rigidity and low mass. Each truss-plate 28 may have a planar plate body 30 again preferably formed of coated metal with a plurality of apertures 32 cut, stamped or otherwise formed therethrough. The apertures 32 in this case are also triangular, and more particularly preferably right-angled triangles, which are equi-distantly or substantially equi-distantly spaced-apart along the longitudinal extent of the plate body 30. The apertures 32 are preferably arranged as inverted pairs along respective facing hypotenuses. First said truss-plates 28a include a connecting flange 34 at a longitudinal edge of the plate body 30. The connecting flange 34 is conveniently integrally formed as one-piece by turning or pressing a portion of the blank material used to form the plate body 30 at an angle to accommodate the required geometric lateral cross-sectional shape of the assembled truss member 14. The connecting flange 34 thereby extends preferably continuously in a contiguous unbroken manner along the associated longitudinal edge of the plate body 30. In the current embodiment, therefore, a lateral cross-section of the first truss-plate 28a generally forms the shape of a number seven, and as a consequence a plane of the connecting flange 34 thus extends non-perpendicularly to a plane of the plate body 30 thereby accommodating a variety of possible polygonal truss-member shapes.

Although the first truss-plates 28a include the connecting flange 34, in the current embodiment, at least a second one of the truss-plates 28b is devoid of the connecting flange 34. As such, the second truss-plate 28b just has the plate body 30 with the associated apertures 32 defining a plurality or framework of flat struts 36 there across.

The plate body 30 and, where present, the respective connecting flange 34 all include a plurality of the fastener ports 26 spaced apart along their longitudinal and/or lateral extents to enable interconnection. The fastener ports 26 are preferably apertures 32 which are dimensioned to receive suitable screw- threaded fasteners, such as bolts or screws as a close or interference fit.

A truss-plate connector 38 is also included, which in this case resides or defines a lowermost longitudinal edge of each truss member 14. The truss-plate connector 38 improves a longitudinal rigidity of the truss member 14, and in this embodiment forms a channel 40 preferably with flared side walls 42 and preferably a flat or substantially flat base 44. The flared side walls 42 accommodate a geometric cross- sectional shape of the truss member 14, and fastener ports 26 are again provided in spaced apart relationship therealong to receive fasteners enabling connection to the plate bodies 30 of the associated truss-plates 28. As above, the channels 40 are preferably formed of coated metal.

Although the connecting flanges 34 and the truss-plate connector 38 preferably extend continuously along a longitudinal extent of the truss member 14, it is feasible that the connecting flanges and/or the truss- plate connector may be discontinuous. As such, the connecting flanges and/or the truss-plate connector may be one or more tabs which are spaced along the longitudinal extent of the truss member. However, this may not be so preferable as the rigidity may be impacted.

To assemble a said truss member 14, the first truss-plates 28a are connected via their connecting flanges 34 to longitudinal edges of the second truss-plate 28b. The first truss-plates 28a therefore form sides of the geometrically shaped lateral cross-section, and the second truss-plate 28b forms an in use top side. The lateral cross-sectional shape in this case is an inverted triangle, and preferably although not essentially the connecting flanges 34 overlie the longitudinal edges of the second truss-plate 28b to improve rigidity, particularly lateral compression.

The truss-plate connector 38 is received at the lowermost edges of the first truss-plates 28a with the flared side walls 42 of the truss-plate connector 38 being received inside the plate bodies 30 of the opposing first truss-plates 28a. With two or more truss members 14 assembled, the respective lateral ends are abutted and interconnected via the above-mentioned truss-member connector 16. The truss-member connector 16 comprises two angled straps 46 and a plurality of fasteners 48. Each angled strap 46 has a strap body 46a dimensioned to extend along all or substantially all of a lateral extent of each plate body 30 of the first truss-plates 28a, and preferably to interengage with the truss-plate connector 38. A strap flange 50 is preferably integrally formed as one-piece with the strap body 46a and extends contiguously and non-perpendicularly from a lateral edge thereof. A longitudinal dimension of the strap flange 50 is substantially half or at least half the lateral extent of the second truss-plate 28b, and as such preferably extends beyond the lateral extent of the connecting flange 34. With the said strap fasteners 48 secured in place, two opposing angled straps 46 hold the ends of two neighbouring and abutting or substantially abutting truss members 14 together.

Although the angled straps 46 are preferable, the truss-member connector 16 may be only the fasteners 48 which thus directly hold the ends of the neighbouring truss members 14 together. Alternatively, only a single strap may be utilised, and that single strap may extend around all or substantially all of the truss- plates. Additionally or alternatively, the truss-member connector 16 may include one or more tongues or tabs integrally formed to extend from lateral end edges of one or more of the truss-plates. In this latter case, the tongues or tabs overlap a lateral edge portion of the neighbouring truss member to improve engagement.

To enable fitness equipment to be suspended from the truss members 14, preferably one or more equipment connectors 52 are provided, in this case on the truss-plate connector 38. The equipment connector 52 may be or include an O-ring or similar, and allows a D-ring, hook or carabiner of exercise straps, punch bags and the like, for example, to be connected. Other kinds of equipment connector may be considered, where necessary.

The number of truss members 14 to provide an assembled truss beam 54 of a required length are thus selected and interengaged as described above. With a said wall bracket 12 fixed to each supporting wall 56, end portions of the assembled truss beam 54 are seated on the projecting walls 22 of the wall brackets 12, and fasteners can be used to secure the truss beam 54 in place. Appropriate equipment can thus be securely suspended via the equipment connectors 52. See Figures 3 and 4.

Referring now to Figures 5 and 6, there is shown a second embodiment of the retrospectively-installable modular fitness truss apparatus 10'. References which are similar to those of the first embodiment refer to the same or similar parts, and therefore further detailed description is omitted. As above, the truss apparatus 10' of this embodiment comprises two wall brackets 12', a plurality of the said truss members 14, and a plurality of the truss-member connectors 16 which interconnect ends of the truss members 14.

The rigid wall bracket 12' in this embodiment includes a wall-engagable element 20' and a projecting wall 22 which extends therefrom. The wall-engagable element 20' in this case is a flange which extends along a wall-end edge of the projecting wall 22. As before, the wall bracket 12' is preferably coated metal.

One or more fastener ports 26 are advantageously provided on the flange 20'. The ports may be circular apertures and/or may be slots to accommodate slight misalignment during installation.

The projecting walls 22 are similarly formed of coated metal or other suitably rigid material. A plane of the flange 20' is non-perpendicular to a plane of the projecting wall 22. A plurality of the fastener ports 26 are provided along the projecting walls 22, and these may again be circular apertures and/or slots to accommodate imperfections in the supporting wall 56' and/or slight misalignment.

Although two or more wall brackets 12' are provided at each end of the assembled truss beam 54, a single wall bracket may be utilised which effectively wraps around two or more side ends of the truss member 14.

This time, with the or each wall bracket 12' typically first attached, the truss beam 54 is offered up against abutting supporting walls 56', and the flanges 20' are fixed in place to retain the truss beam 54 in its suspended condition. The required fitness equipment can thus be hung or otherwise suspended therefrom using the aforementioned equipment connectors 52. Referring now to Figures 7 to 9, there is shown a third embodiment of retrospectively-installable modular physical-activity or fitness truss apparatus 10" . As above, references which are similar to those of the first embodiment refer to the same or similar parts, and therefore further detailed description is omitted.

This embodiment enables a free-standing truss beam 54 by the addition of the modular support column 18 at each end of the assembled truss beam 54. Mounting brackets, which heretofore have been the said wall brackets 12; 12' are thus replaced by the support columns 18. Although two support columns 18 are shown in Figure 7, it is feasible that one end of the assembled truss beam 54 could be supported by a wall using either of the wall brackets 12' of the first or second embodiments, and a single support column 18 can be used to support the other end.

A hollow column member 55 of the modular support column 18 is similar in construction to the truss member 14, and comprises a floor-engagement element 58, a truss-member mount 60, a plurality of column-plates 62, and at least one column-member connector 64. The floor-engagement element 58 in this embodiment is similar to the wall bracket 12 of the first embodiment. A mounting plate 66 matches or substantially matches a geometric shape of a lateral cross- section of the assembled column-plates 62. Projecting walls 68 of the floor-engagement element 58 are positioned on the mounting plate 66 to allow engagement of the column-plates 62. Due to the square-shaped lateral cross-section, the column-plates 62 have a right-angled connecting flange 70 at one longitudinal edge thereof, and with the column-plates 62 interconnected via their respective flanges 70 and the associated fastener ports 26, the hollow column member 55 can then be fastened to the projecting walls 22 of the floor-engagement element 58.

One or more further column members 55, similarly assembled, can then be interconnected in end-to-end alignment. Connection is achieved by use of one or more of the column-member connectors 64, which in this case are connector plates 72 with associated fasteners 74. Preferably, the connector plates 72 are received within the interior of the hollow column members 55, but may be on the exterior.

The connector plates 72 are also preferably planar, but may, similarly to the first embodiment above, have a body portion and an angled flange portion which allows the connector plate 72 to extend around a corner of the column member 55.

As with the truss members 14, the column members 55 have cut outs or apertures 32' to form a plurality of flat struts 36' along or substantially along their longitudinal and lateral extents. Similarly to the truss members 14, the cut outs 32' in each column-plate 62 are preferably two pairs of inverted right-angled triangles. With the column members 55 interconnected, the truss-member mount 60 caps an uppermost end of the support column 18 and receives an end of the assembled truss beam 54. The truss-member mount 60 includes a column cap element 76 and a truss receiver 78 to engage the truss member 14 at the end of the truss beam 54.

The column cap element 76 is preferably a plate forming a mounting platform 76a having a same or similar geometric shape as the lateral cross-section of the hollow column member 55. Downturned perimeter walls may be provided to fit within an open end of the uppermost column member 55, and fasteners engage the two parts.

Mounted on the column cap element 76 is a first one of preferably a plurality of different said truss receivers 78 described hereinafter. As seen in Figures 7 and 9, the truss receiver 78 of this embodiment is preferably an M-or W-shaped bracket which receives the two first truss-plates 28a. A base 80 supports two upright side walls 82, with a V-shaped support 84 extending between the two upright side walls 82. Support gussets 86 may be provided between the upright side walls 82 and underside surfaces of the V- shaped support 84.

As shown in Figures 10 and 11, a fourth embodiment of the retrospectively-installable modular physical- activity or fitness truss apparatus 10"' provides for non-linear truss beam support by the use of more than two support columns 18. Similar or identical parts to those of the preceding embodiments use the same or similar references, and further detailed description is omitted.

In this case, a support column 18' at an intersection between two truss beams 54 requires a different truss receiver 78' to accommodate a right-angled junction between two end portions of opposing truss members 14. All other parts are as described above, and therefore the same or similar references are used. Similarly to the third embodiment, the truss receiver 78' utilises a V-shaped support 84' to seat an end of the assembled truss beam 54 in a similar manner to the wall bracket 12 of the first embodiment. An angled, preferably gusset-reinforced, back plate 88 is used to mount the V-shaped supports 84', and in this case the back plate 88 has a right-angled body to achieve a ninety-degree connection between adjacent truss beams 54. As further shown in Figures 12 and 13, a fifth embodiment of the retrospectively-installable modular physical-activity or fitness truss apparatus 10"" provides for further non-linear truss beam support options by the use of four support columns 18. As above, a support column 18" at an intersection between two truss beams 54 requires a different truss receiver 78" to accommodate a forty-five-degree angled interface between two end portions of opposing truss members 14. All other parts are as or similar to those described above, and therefore the same or similar references are used.

Similarly to the fourth embodiment, the truss receiver 78" utilises a V-shaped support 84' to seat an end of the assembled truss beam 54 in a similar manner to the wall bracket 12 of the first embodiment. An angled, preferably gusset-reinforced, back plate 88' is used to mount the V-shaped supports 84', and in this case the back plate 88' has a forty-five degree-angled body to achieve a forty-five-degree intersection between adjacent truss beams 54. Alternatively acute angular relationships could also be considered.

Other angles of intersection can be achieved, and these simply require a correctly angled truss receiver to be selected and attached via the mounting platform to the assembled support column, dependent on necessity. As such, the modular fitness truss apparatus can achieve any geometric freestanding shape. Lengths, height and/or sizes of such shapes can be modularly selected based on a number of truss members and/or column members. One or more existing support walls may also be used. Although the column support is described as forming part of the truss apparatus, it is feasible that the column support may be used independently in certain situations, either in a fitness environment or elsewhere.

The modular truss apparatus is ideally suited to a fitness or other physical activity environment. It may also be utilised in other technical fields, such as for rigging and lighting support in the music or other performing arts fields.

It is thus possible to provide a modular fitness or physical activity truss apparatus forming a suspension type bridge or beam which allows one or more pieces of exercise equipment to be suspended therefrom. The apparatus is light-weight and can be shipped and stored in a substantially flat-pack configuration. Assembling and installation can take place easily on-site, and by using plates to form a hollow geometric lateral cross-sectional structure, a constructional modularity is achieved allowing tailoring to an installation site whilst utilising common components.

The words 'comprises/comprising' and the words 'having/including' when used herein with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

The embodiments described above are provided by way of examples only, and various other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the field without departing from the scope of the invention as defined herein.