Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a bench for outdoor use. More specifically it relates to a bench suitable for both seating and performing fitness exercises.

Background

There are numerous hiking trails around the world where benches are positioned along the trails. A large part of these trails are part of a footpath network. These paths have several lengths and difficulty levels and are mainly used for walking. The benches along these footpaths are generally used for sitting and resting and provide for a meeting function.

Walkways also exist in a variety of different levels. They are usually found on secluded locations farther away from built-up areas.

In addition to walking and running paths, there are also paths for circuit training. Circuit training is the combination of endurance training with strength and stabilization training where you walk from one fitness element to the next. Along these paths for circuit training you can find a whole variety of fitness devices, which usually have different functions. These paths are usually found on other and usually more remote locations. These paths have a rather large impact on government budgets because the cost of their realization is high and they require a lot of maintenance .

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) , physical inactivity in the European Union causes yearly for one million of deaths. Indeed, statistics show that six out of ten people over the age of fifteen years rarely or never do sport. Research of WHO shows that a lack of time is the main reason why people do not exercise. Additional crucial factors that play a role are the lack of suitable infrastructure near the place of residence and the time it takes to travel to the infrastructure.

Benches of many different forms serve as an accessible resting or meeting place in the open air and are generally developed in an aesthetically sound manner and permanently located in the public space. Some benches allow the user to perform a specific stretch exercise with the help of a particular part, while others combine the seat functionality with a function to practice the legs in a certain way as disclosed in patent document KR20120120555. These benches offer the opportunity to rest and they facilitate psychological and physical recovery, while combining that with the ability to perform one specific exercise with the legs. Hence these type of benches have their limitations in terms of performing fitness exercises.

Urban devices are known that serve to perform certain exercises, such as for example a fixed bar device, a ring set device for exercising arms, pedal devices for leg exercises. However, these devices serve each for the realization of a certain type of exercise, making it necessary to have several different exercise devices at the same place to train the entire body.

An example of a fitness exercise is a leg-lift exercise that can be performed with a dedicated fitness device such as for example the fitness device disclosed in US2008/227609A1. A further example of a fitness exercise is conditioning the arm and/or leg muscles using suspension ropes. An example of a pair of suspension ropes is disclosed in US2003/0078142A1. Larger scale fitness systems for outdoor use are known and exist in many different forms. These systems often make use of multiple separate fitness devices that each allow to perform a different exercise.

A fitness system could thus consist of an outdoor fitness device that helps to train the upper body and another outdoor fitness device that allows training of the lower part of the body. An outdoor fitness device is usually a combination of a specific base structure and a functional fitness element. The base structure is designed to support the specific functional fitness element. Generally the outdoor fitness systems have multiple fitness devices that comprises various different types of base structures and fitness elements. The result is that a large number of different base structures must be designed and developed. This increases the cost of outdoor fitness systems and leads to complex storing areas for the multiple devices, especially for the companies that produce and sell the systems.

Moreover, installing the current outdoor systems with the multitude of devices for complete body training, requires the clearance of more public and green space. In most cases the outdoor fitness devices each have a different type of base structure, which gives a visual impression of a drill park when all these various fitness devices are put together in one location. An inactive person is sometimes confronted with threshold fears when overlooking such outdoor fitness systems, which is regrettable as these devices are mainly developed to move and get people into action. Moreover, many fitness systems whose outdoor fitness devices offer a range of body movements are not suitable for both low-level users and users who are already trained. In other words, the use of certain parts and the specific weight, length or shape of these fitness devices or elements of the fitness devices make a certain outdoor fitness equipment challenging for trained people, but impossible to use for other, such as untrained people. Other fitness devices may serve for untrained persons, but in that case they are not suitable or challenging enough for more trained persons.

Some fitness systems as described in patent document DE202006001435 combines various outdoor fitness equipment into one multifunctional exercise structure. However, this structure is only useful for people exercising and is not, as mentioned above, a bench for seating young and old people for having a rest.

Summary

It is an object of the present invention to provide an urban device that facilitates all the functions mentioned above at the same time, i.e. sitting, resting, meeting and moving. More specifically, is an object to combine various fitness elements into one device so that a complete range of body exercises are available and suitable for both experienced and non-experienced users and, at the same time and independently thereof, that the device serves as a durable seating facility.

It is a further object to provide a compact and cost- effective urban device that will upgrade the ubiquitous footpaths to challenging pathways for circuit training, thereby expanding the existing sports infrastructures and provide an access to the public for implementing the directives recommended by the WHO. These guidelines recommend a combination of endurance, strength and stabilization training.

The present invention is defined in the appended independent claims. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims. According to the invention, a bench for outdoor use and suitable for seating at least two persons and suitable for performing fitness is provided.

A bench for performing fitness and suitable for seating has to be construed as a device comprising a collection of fitness elements that offer various fitness activities, and hence the bench is to be construed as a comprehensive fitness device that provides or enables some form of physical training activity while keeping at the same time a comprehensive seating facility. Fitness activities are for example training of strength, stability, balance, explosiveness , endurance.

The bench according to the invention comprises a seat and a back-rest that are connected with at least four support brackets. The seat allows for seating the at least two persons. At least four ground support brackets are provided for anchoring the bench to a floor surface. A series of a first, a second, a third and a fourth ground support structure are connected with respectively a first, a second, a third and a fourth support bracket.

Each of the support brackets comprises a first leg and a second leg. For each of the support brackets, the first leg is connected with the seat. The second leg has a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The first side of the second leg has to be construed as the side that is connected to the back-rest of the bench. Indeed, for each of the support brackets, the first side of the second leg is connected with the back-rest. In this way, the seat and the back-rest are connected together. The first and second side of the second leg can respectively also be named front and back side of the second leg.

The bench according to the invention comprises a first suspension rope and a second suspension rope. The first suspension rope and the second suspension rope are connected to respectively the second side of the second leg of the first support bracket and the second side of the second leg of the second support bracket.

Preferably, the first and second suspension rope each comprises drop-shaped hand and/or drop-shaped foot openings.

The bench according to the invention further comprises a first arm rest and a second arm rest for performing fitness exercises. The first arm rest and the second arm rest are connected to respectively the second side of the second leg of said third support bracket and the second side of the second leg of said fourth support bracket. The first and second arm rest comprise respectively a first vertical-type handhold and a second vertical-type handhold.

Advantageously, the bench according to the invention is using the support brackets that are connecting the seat and back-rest, as a base element for creating fitness devices. Indeed, additional elements are connected to the support brackets to form a device with multiple fitness functionalities. In this way, the number of components needed to build the bench with fitness functionalities are reduced and a compact bench with fitness devices is obtained. The cost of production is thereby reduced as well. The cost is much cheaper when compared to for example manufacturing different separate fitness devices for performing all these functions separately that are offered by the bench according to the invention.

Due to the number of reduced elements, the manufacturing process and assembly process is also simplified. Indeed, the support brackets and the ground support structure can be welded together in the factory and also the fitness elements such as the first and second arm rest can be welded in the factory to their corresponding support bracket. Advantageously, the bench according to the invention, does not have any mechanically moving parts that may cause safety problems. Moreover, due to the connection of the suspension robes to the first and second support bracket and the connection of the first and second arm rest to the third and fourth support bracket, a space is created between the second and the third support bracket which strongly reduces interference problems between two person exercising on these two fitness devices at the back side of the bench. In addition, the seat is located at a front side of the bench and the suspension robes and the first and second arm rest are arranged at the back side of the bench, i.e. opposite the front side. Hence there is no disturbance or dangerous situation for people sitting on the bench and people exercising on the back side of the bench.

It is an advantage that due to the compactness of the bench, the footprint of the bench is small and hence the public and green space is reduced when compared to installing different fitness devices to perform all these functions separately.

With it compact size, the bench can be placed in an urban environment which would attract people and reduce a barrier for those people who would need to exercise but are currently failing for various reasons. The ability to sit gives the device a much more accessible character for people who do not have the habit of moving much and thus a more accessible public space is created bringing together different people in the same place.

Advantageously, by placing a seat for multiple persons directly adjacent to fitness devices, the bench according to the invention has the possibility to make the connection between the walking part of the population on the one hand and the sporting part of the population on the other. In addition, the provision of a multi-functional training device combined with a seating functionality has also an aesthetic added value for the surrounding public space. Indeed, aesthetic aspects of urban elements or devices are important because these have to be properly integrated into the public space. It seems necessary to provide an aesthetically pleasing configuration, since for example people walking near a playground are observing their children and although they were not planning to move, they may be get convinced to become more active if the fitness elements also have an aesthetic and inviting aspect.

In embodiments, the suspension ropes comprise each a soft shell for protection a large part of each of the suspension ropes. Hence, the bench according to the invention comprises easy to use suspension ropes suitable for permanent outdoor use in an environment that is not only used for fitness purposes, but also used for sitting and resting and wherein the suspension ropes are organized such that no safety, vandalism or sustainability problems could arise.

In embodiments, the bench advantageously comprises a step and balancing board, which, up to a certain level, is combining the functionalities of a step and a balancing board. Hence, this board offers several fitness elements at the same time and makes this possible in an environment that is not only used for fitness purposes, but also used to sit and rest.

An advantage of the bench according to the invention is that a wide range of fitness difficulty levels can be exercised. The difficulty of the various basic strength and stability exercises that can be performed with the bench according to the invention, is determined by the body characteristics of the user himself and is not dependent on the specific characteristics of the fitness elements used as such, as is the case with classical fitness devices. The basic strength and stability exercises that can be performed with the bench are push and pull exercises, abdominal and back muscle exercises and single leg and two-legged exercises .

In embodiments, the bench according to the invention comprises a reinforcing plank extending parallel to the back rest and is connected to each of the support brackets of the bench, more precisely, the reinforcing plank is connected to the second leg of each of the support brackets. As the reinforcing plank is separated from an upper side of the back rest, the plank allows to perform various additional fitness exercises such as pressure exercises and various stability exercises of the body.

In embodiments, the bench according to the invention comprises at least six support brackets wherein a bar is connected between extremities of the second legs of additional fifth and sixth support brackets.

Advantageously, by connecting the bar to the fifth and sixth support bracket a space is created between the fourth and the fifth support bracket such that the bar can be exercised simultaneously by one person while another person is using the first and second arm rests without any risk of interference or collision.

Short description of the drawings

These and further aspects of the invention will be explained in greater detail by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. la shows a front side of an example of a bench

comprising four support brackets, Fig. lb shows a front side of a further example of a bench comprising four support brackets,

Fig.lc shows a front side of bench comprising six support brackets ,

Fig.2 shows a back side of an example of a bench

comprising six support brackets,

Fig.3 shows a sideview of a bench comprising six support brackets ,

Fig.4a shows a perspective view of a first example of a support bracket,

Fig.4b shows a perspective view of the first example of a support bracket with a corresponding ground support structure,

Fig.4c shows a cross sectional view of the ground support structure and part of the support bracket of Fig.4b, Fig.5a shows a perspective view of a second example of a support bracket,

Fig.5b shows a perspective view of the second example of a support bracket with a corresponding ground support structure,

Fig.5c shows a cross sectional view of the ground support structure and part of the support bracket of Fig.5b, Fig.6a shows a perspective view of a third example of a support bracket,

Fig.6b shows a perspective view of the third example of a support bracket with a corresponding ground support structure and with an arm rest,

Fig.6c shows a cross sectional view of the ground support structure and part of the support bracket of Fig.6b, Fig.7a shows a perspective view of a fourth example of a support bracket, Fig.7b shows a perspective view of the fourth example of a support bracket with a corresponding ground support structure,

Fig.7c shows a cross sectional view of the ground support structure and part of the support bracket of Fig.7b,

Fig.8 shows an example of a part of a foot and balance

board,

Fig.9 shows an example a suspension rope.

Fig.10a shows a cross sectional view of an example of a

support bracket,

Fig.10b shows a cross sectional view of another example of a support bracket,

Fig.10c shows a cross sectional view of a further example of a support bracket,

Fig. 11a shows a ground support structure connected to the support bracket of Fig.10a,

Fig. lib shows a ground support structure connected to the support bracket of Fig.10b,

Fig. 11c shows a ground support structure connected to the support bracket of Fig.10c,

The figures are not drawn to scale.

Detailed description of embodiments

The invention relates to a bench that combines a sitting, a resting and a meeting function with a function as an element for carrying out several fitness exercises, specially designed to be placed in public areas such as a park, a playground, a business park, a sports facility, a school domain or along a footpath. Indeed, public spaces are nowadays aimed at giving the public the opportunity to relax, meet and move. The outdoor use and the multiple use of such a bank makes it necessary that some known fitness elements must be adapted to the environment in which they will be used.

The bench according to the invention comprises a number of support brackets and a number of associated ground support structures. These support brackets and associated ground support structures are made, for example, from steel. The bench further comprises a seat for seating at least two persons and a back-rest that is associated to the seat, thereby providing a supporting function for the backs of the at least two persons. The seat and back-rest of the bench can be made for example from wood or any other material suitable for outdoor use. In embodiments, the support brackets, the ground support structures and the seat and back-rest can also be coated with a waterproof coating.

Depending on the details of the embodiments according to the invention, there can be a different number of support brackets and the support brackets can have different shapes and lengths .

Examples of support brackets are shown on Fig. 4a, Fig.5a, Fig.6a, Fig.7a, Fig.10a, Fig.10b and Fig.10c. More in general, the components of the bench can have dimensions that differ depending on the target group that is put at the forefront. For example, a bench that is specifically developed for children will therefore have different dimensions than a bench only to be used by adults.

The support brackets serve as a basis for the seating area of the bench and for the back-rest. Indeed, the seat and back-rest are connected with the support brackets thereby linking together the seat to the back-rest. Hence, the support bracket has to be construed as a frame that comprises at least a first leg 3 connected with the seat and a second leg 4 connected with the back-rest. Cross sectional views of examples of support brackets 30 comprising a first leg 3 and a second leg 4 are schematically shown on Fig. 10a, Fig.10b and Fig. 10c.

The support bracket can have an L-shape, a T-shape or any other shape as long as there is a first leg 3 for connecting with the seat and a second leg 4 for connecting with the back rest. The first leg 3 and the second leg 4 can be made out of one piece for example by a moulding process or the two legs can be separate parts that are for example welded together. In other embodiments, the first leg and second leg of the support bracket are made of one piece by folding a metal plate. The second leg can be made from one piece or it can be made from several pieces attached together. Detailed embodiments of the support brackets that can be used for the invention will be further discussed below and are illustrated on Fig.4a, Fig.5a, Fig.6a and Fig.7a. The connection of the seat and the back-rest to the support brackets can be made by using for example bolts and nuts .

As schematically illustrated on Figures 10a, 10b, 10c, 4a, 5a, 6a and 7a, the second leg 4 of the support bracket has a first side 4a, also named front side, and a second side 4b, also named back side, and wherein the back side 4b is opposite to the front side 4a. The first side 4b of the second leg 4 is the side that is connected with the back- rest 12. As the back-rest 12 has generally a flat surface, the front side 4b of the second leg has preferably also a flat surface. The second side 4b, i.e. the back side of the second leg is not necessary flat but can have any type of shape .

On Fig. 11a, Fig. lib and Fig. 11c, the support brackets 30 of respectively Fig. 10a, Fig.10b and Fig. 10c are shown together with a back-rest 12 and a seat 11. In Fig.11a, the seat 11 is composed of four boards arranged in parallel and the back-rest is composed of three boards arranged in parallel. In the example shown on Fig. lib, the back-rest is composed out of five boards. The number of boards determines the surface size of the back-rest and can be determined as function of the comfort required and the target group. In the example shown on Fig. 11c, the seat 11 and back rest 12 are each made of a single plate.

On each of the Figures 11a, lib and 11c, a ground support structure 20 is shown that is connected with the support bracket 30. The ground support structures are provided for anchoring the bench to a ground surface. The anchoring can be performed either on a underlying fixed surface or on a removable surface having sufficient stability. The ground support structures can have for example a U-shape, as shown on Fig. lib, or any other suitable shape. In embodiments, as illustrated for example on Fig 6b and Fig.6c, a U-shaped ground support structure 23 is provided that comprises two triangular-shaped reinforcement ribs 23a and 23b. Advantageously, a logo can be placed on the triangular ribs. The ground support structures shown on Fig. 4b, 5b, 6b and 7b are illustrated as hatched areas .

The bench according to the invention comprises at least four support brackets 31,32,33,34 with associated four ground support structures 21,22,23,24. Examples of benches with four support brackets are illustrated on Fig. la and Fig. lb where a front side of the benches is shown. In Fig. lc, a front side of a bench is shown comprising six support brackets .

The front side of the bench according to the invention has to be construed as the side where the seat is located and hence the side where persons can sit on the bench. The back side of the bench is to be construed as the side that is opposite the front side of the bench, it is the side where as will be explained below only fitness exercises can be performed and no seating functionality is provided. An example of a back side of a bench according to the invention is shown on Fig. 2.

As illustrated on Fig. la and Fig. lb, there is a series of a first 31, a second 32, a third 33 and a fourth 34 support bracket that are connected with respectively a first 21, a second 22, a third 23 and a fourth 24 ground support structure. The connections between ground support structures and support brackets can be made with bolts and nuts or preferably they can be welded together.

As further illustrated on Fig. la and Fig. lb, a first suspension rope 51 and a second suspension rope 52 are connected to respectively the second side 4b of the second leg 4 of the first support bracket 31 and the second side 4b of the second leg 4 of the second support bracket 32. In preferred embodiments, as illustrated on Fig. la and Fig. 3, the first suspension rope 51 comprises a first drop-shaped hand opening 58a and/or a first drop-shaped foot openings 58b and the second suspension rope 52 comprises a second drop-shaped hand opening 59a and/or a second drop-shaped foot opening 59b. The suspension ropes are for example composed of reinforced cord and are each preferably protected with respectively a first soft shell 56 and a second soft shell. The connection of the suspension ropes to the second side 4b, i.e. the backside, of the second leg of the support brackets can be made in various ways known in the art. For example an opening 17 can be made through an extremity of the second leg of the support bracket to allow to attach the suspension rope, as illustrated on Fig. 4b.

The use of suspension ropes is well known in the art and is popular because they allow a wide range of fitness exercises. There exists adjustable suspension robes on the market that can be attached to a wide variety of fixed infrastructure, so that they can be used both inside and outside. However, permanent outdoor use of these prior art suspension ropes is not advisable since they are not weatherproof and vandal proof. Moreover, these foldable ropes can also cause safety problems, indeed there is a danger of hanging. For this reason, suspension ropes for permanent outdoor use are preferably to be made un-foldable for safety reasons and should preferably not be adjustable in length. As mentioned above, the suspension ropes according to the invention have preferably both hand and foot openings which allow them to be used by persons with different body characteristics or to perform exercises of different difficulty levels. Moreover as the known suspension ropes for outdoor use have hard elements, care has to be taken to avoid any security problems.

In Fig. 9, an embodiment of an exemplary suspension rope 51 according to the invention is shown. The suspension rope comprises for example an eye bolt 53 and an open thimble 54 for making a connection with the backside 4b of the second leg of the support bracket. Four aluminium clip rings 55 are mounted on the rope. In this way, as illustrated on Fig. 9, at least two droplet-shaped openings 58a, 58b are created, which correspond to hand and foot openings. Each of the clip rings 55 is wrapped with a heat-sensitive shrinking sleeve to avoid accidents due to a hard impact. A long rubber sheath 56 that sits around the ropes between the 2 upper clip rings prevents the ropes from being knotted and also avoids safety problems related to the risk of being hanged. The long rubber sheath 56 is forming a soft shell 56 protecting the suspension rope. At each drop-shaped opening, the strings are provided with a shorter rubber sheath 57 so that a comfortable handle and comfortable foot use is guaranteed as well as avoiding scraping or sanding of the skin. The droplet-shaped openings 58a, 58b have a minimum diameter of 24cm to prevent any hanging hazard. Moreover, the openings are located at such a distance from the underlying surface that this danger is essentially non-existent.

As illustrated on Fig. la and Fig. lb, the bench according to the invention comprises a first arm rest 41 and a second arm rest 42 for performing fitness exercises at the back side of the bench. Indeed, as further illustrated on Fig. 6b, the first arm rest 41 and the second arm rest 42 are connected to the second side 4b, i.e. the backside, of the second leg 4 of respectively the third support bracket 33 and the fourth support bracket 34. This connection between the arm rests and their respective support bracket can be made for example by bolts and nuts or the arm rests can be welded to the support brackets.

The first and second arm rest are further comprising respectively a first vertical-type handhold 41a and a second vertical-type handhold 42a, as shown on Fig. la, Fig. lb and Fig. 6b. A vertical-type handhold has to be construed as a handhold that when in use is oriented vertically with respect to the ground surface, hence it is a handhold that is oriented essentially vertically with respect to a seat plane of the seat of the bench.

As illustrated on Fig.l and lb, a bench is provided that allows to sit at least two person on the seat of the bench that is located at the front side of the bench and other persons can simultaneously use at least two fitness devices at the backside of the bench. Indeed a first device with the first and second arm rests for performing for example leg-lift exercises and a second device with the suspension ropes for performing suspension exercises can be used. Remark that advantageously, the space created between the second and the third support bracket avoids interference problems between people performing exercises simultaneously on the first and second fitness device.

The seat of the bench could also be used as an elevated step for performing step exercises and hence be considered as an additional fitness device.

As mentioned above, the dimensions of the bench and the dimensions of the support brackets can differ.

In figures 4a, 5a, 6a and 7a, a perspective view is shown of various types of support brackets 31,32,33,35 and in Figures 4b, 5b, 6b and 7b support structures are shown with associated ground support structures 21,22,23,25. In Figures 4c, 5c, 6c and 7c, a cross sectional view is shown of the ground support structure and part of the support bracket shown on respectively figures 4b, 5b, 6b and 7b. As mentioned above, each of the support brackets comprises a first leg 3 for connecting the seat and a second leg 4 for connecting the back-rest of the bench. In the embodiments illustrated on Fig. 4b, 5b, 6b and 7b, the first leg is connected with the ground support structure. In these embodiments, the first legs of the support brackets are designed to extend down to the ground floor and establish a better attachment to the ground support structures.

The length Dl of the first leg 3 is determined by the width of the seat while the length D2 of the second leg is determined as function of the type of fitness element that is provided. The dimension of the first leg 3 of the support bracket is referenced as Dl in Fig. 4c, Fig. 5c, Fig. 6a, Fig.7c and Fig.10a and the dimension of the second leg 4 is referenced as D2 on Fig. 4a, Fig. 5a, Fig.6a, Fig.7a, Fig. 10a, Fig.10b and Fig.10c. For example, as illustrated on Fig. la, the second legs of the first 31 and the second 32 support brackets are made longer when compared to the dimensions D2 of the second legs of the second 32 and the third 33 support bracket. In this way, adult persons can use the suspension ropes. In other embodiments, as illustrated on Fig. lb, the dimensions D2 of the second legs of the support brackets are the same, such that the suspension ropes are connected at the support bracket at a lower height from the ground surface, which facilitates the use of shorter type suspension ropes for children.

The person skilled in the art will determine the adequate dimensions of the support brackets and hence the length of the first and second legs as function of the needs and target groups of persons that will use the bench. For example, the person skilled in the art will determine the dimensions of the second legs of the third and fourth support bracket such that the first and second arm rest are at a suitable height for performing fitness exercises.

In embodiments, the dimension D2 of the second leg of the first 31 and the second 32 support bracket is configured in accordance with a length of the first and the second suspension ropes and the dimension D2 of the second leg of the second 32 and the third 33 support bracket is configured for allowing fitness training with the first arm rest 41 and the second 42 arm rest by a target group of persons. The target group of persons is for example an adult group of persons or a group of children.

By adding more support brackets and associated ground support structures, the bench according to the invention can be enlarged providing more seats and providing more fitness capabilities.

According to an embodiment of the invention, a bench is provided with at least six support brackets and six associated ground support structures. In these embodiments, as illustrated on Fig. lc and Fig. 2, the seat and said back-rest are connected with a fifth 35 and sixth 36 support bracket and the fifth 35 and sixth 36 support bracket are connected with respectively a fifth 25 and a sixth 26 ground support structure. The fifth 35 support bracket and the fifth 25 ground support structure are positioned adjacently to respectively the fourth 34 support bracket and the fourth 24 ground support structure.

In embodiments comprising at least six support brackets, the bench comprises a bar 60 suitable for performing pulling fitness exercises. This illustrated on Fig.2 and on Fig.3 where a side view of an example of a bench with six support brackets is shown.

The bar 60 is connected between the extremity 5 of the second leg 4 of the fifth support bracket 35 and the extremity of the second leg 4 of the sixth 36 support bracket. As shown on Fig. 7b, the extremities 5 of these brackets can have for example an L-Shape or the extremities can be made horizontal with respect to the ground surface. The bar 60 is dimensioned to allow to comfortably perform various fitness exercises. Preferably, and as illustrated on Fig.7b, the fifth 35 and sixth 36 support bracket each comprises a strengthening rib 9 to strengthen the support brackets. In these embodiments, as illustrated on Fig. 7b, the strengthening rib 9 forms the backside of the second leg 4 of the support bracket to strengthen the vertical back of the support brackets and also strengthen their respective ground support structures.

In embodiments, as illustrated on Fig.4b the first 31 and the second 32 support brackets each comprises a

strengthening rib 9 to strengthening the support brackets.

In embodiments, the first arm rest 41 and the second arm rest 42 each comprise a support rib 41b for reinforcing the arm rests. In Fig. 6b, an arm rest 41 connected to a support bracket is shown. In this embodiment, the arm rest comprises a number of components such as the vertical-type handhold 41a, the support rib 41b and a core arm rest element 41c. In these embodiments, as illustrated on Fig. 6b, the third 33 and fourth 34 support bracket each preferably comprises a strengthening rib 9 and the support ribs of the support arms are connected to the corresponding strengthening ribs of the second legs of the support brackets. This connection is made for example by using bolts or by welding. In Fig. 6a, a support bracket 33 is shown comprising a number of components such as the first leg 3 and the second leg 4. In this embodiment, the second leg comprises a strengthening rib 9 and a leg element 8 as illustrated on Fig.6b. In this embodiment, the strengthening rib 9 and the leg element 8 are forming the second leg 4 of the support bracket 33.

Generally, the first 41 and second 42 arm rest comprise respectively a first and a second plank that are forming an upper side of the support arms 41, 42. These horizontal planks allow for a comfortable grip and also provide support for various fitness exercises. These planks are made for example out of wood.

In embodiments, as mentioned above and illustrated on Fig. 4a and Fig. 5a, the second legs 4 of the first 31 and the second 32 support brackets each comprise a strengthening rib 9. In some embodiments, the first suspension rope 51 and the second suspension rope 52 are attached to these strengthening ribs. In these embodiments illustrated on Fig. 4b and Fig. 5b, the second leg 4 of the support bracket 31 is formed by a leg element 8 and the strengthening rib 9. In these embodiments, the leg element 8 and the first leg 3 of the support bracket are made out of one piece, e.g. from a metal plate that is folded. In other embodiments, the leg element 8 and the first leg 3 of the support bracket can be made from different parts that are welded together.

In Fig. 7a, a support bracket 35 is shown that comprises a number of components such as a first leg 3, a second leg 4 and an arm extension element 2. In this embodiment, as shown on Fig.7b, the second leg 4 comprises a strengthening rib 9 and a leg element 8.

In embodiments, a pair of adjacent support brackets have arm extension elements 2 configured for forming arm rests 71,72 for facilitating sitting on the seat of the bench. In the example shown on Fig. lc, this pair of adjacent support brackets comprising the arm rests correspond to the fifth 35 and sixth 36 support bracket. The arm rests also comprise vertical-type handholds 73,74. Generally, on top of the arm rest, a board for example made of wood, is provided. The vertical-type handholds and/or the board allow a comfortable grip and support while performing exercises. It also allows facilitating sitting down or standing up. As illustrated on Fig.7a and Fig.7b, the support brackets with the arm extension elements 2 are for example forming D-shaped arm rests.

In embodiments, the bench can also be provided with a step. Indeed, the existence of step benches is particularly well known in fitness environments. These freestanding elements known in the art usually consist of a horizontal platform with several other elements that serve as feet and height adjusters. These step benches provide users with the necessary stability and allow them to perform multiple fitness exercises such as squats, lunges, dips and jumps. These prior art step benches can also be used outdoors but its transport is usually an issue. Therefore, in embodiments of the invention, it is desirable to install a permanent step with a fixed, horizontal platform that is not adjustable in height.

In further embodiments, it is desirable to install a balancing board. Balancing boards are mainly used for physiotherapeutic purposes and only used in a more limited degree for fitness purposes. Such a known balancing board consist of a horizontal platform that usually has a circular shape and positioned on top of a half ball-shaped object. The round part of the half ball-shaped object makes contact with the underlying ground surface and forces the user to find a balance when standing on the board. These unstable elements are often used for exercises that increase the stability of certain body parts. In kinesitherapy, mini trampolines are also often used for the same purposes. These freestanding balancing boards and mini trampolines can also be used outside but it transportation outdoor is generally a problem.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a device that can combine the functionalities of the above discussed step and balancing board is provided. In these embodiments, the bench comprises a step and balancing board 80 for performing step and/or balance exercises, as shown on Fig. lb, Fig.3 and Fig. 8. In these embodiments, a pair of adjacent support brackets have protruding extensions 6 and the step and balancing board is attached to the protruding extensions. As illustrated on Fig 4a, the protruding extensions 6 are connected to the first leg 3 of the support bracket 31. Preferably, the protruding extensions 6 of the two adjacent support brackets are supported by step supports 29 which are connected to a respective ground support structure, as illustrated on Fig. 4b and Fig. 4c.

In further embodiments, as illustrated on Fig. 8, for each support bracket of the pair of support brackets, two vibration dampers 81 are placed between the protruding extensions 6 and the step and balancing board 80. The protruding extensions of the respective support brackets support the vibration dampers. On Fig. 8, only half of the step and balancing board 80 is shown. The vibration dampers 81 are interconnected with a board frame 82 and on top of the board frame one or more step boards 80a, 80b are placed. As shown on Fig. 8, the step and balancing board comprises for example two step boards 80a, 80b to step on. In other embodiments it can be a single board to step on. The two cylindrical vibration dampers 81 are acting as shock absorbers. These vibration dampers provide an ideal balance between firmness and stability/instability and thus enable a wide range of different fitness exercises.

In embodiments the first support bracket 31, as illustrated on Fig. 4a and Fig. 4b, is equipped with an L- shaped armrest 7 that serves as a support for sitting down and standing up and also plays a role in several fitness exercises. The L-shaped armrest 7 can also help to strengthen the overall structure of the bench.

In embodiments, the bench according to the invention comprises a reinforcing plank 90 extending parallel to said back rest 12 and connected to each of the support brackets of the bench. As illustrated on Fig. la to Fig. Id, the reinforcing plank 90 is connected to the second leg 4 of the support brackets. As schematically illustrated on Figures la, lb and lc, the reinforcing plank is separated from an upper side of the back rest, preferably separated by at least 50 cm. In this way, the plank 90 not only provides an additional stiffness to the bench but it also allows to perform various additional fitness exercises such as pressure exercises and various stability exercises of the body .

In embodiments, as illustrated on Fig. lc, between the third 33 and the fourth 34 support bracket an information board 95 is mounted having a front and a back panel. The information panel also increases the strength of the bench.

The bench according to the invention although providing both a seating functionality of multiple persons and at the same time providing multiple fitness functionalities, remains, due to its design according to the invention, very compact. The distance between two support brackets is about 55 cm, which makes that a bench with four or six support brackets has a length of respectively 1.65 meter and 2.75 meter. As illustrated on Fig. 3, even with an embodiment using the step and balancing board the width W of the bench is about 1.3 meter. The height of the bench, determined by the dimension D2 of the longest support bracket is in this example 1.9 m.

The present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments, which are illustrative of the invention and not to be construed as limiting. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown and/or described above and that alternatives or modified embodiments could be developed in the light of the overall teaching of this disclosure. Use of the verb "to comprise", as well as the respective conjugations, does not exclude the presence of elements other than those stated. Use of the article "a", "an" or "the" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements.