US4306715A | 1981-12-22 | |||
US5433687A | 1995-07-18 |
1. | I claim: A collapsible frame for weight lifters, comprising: a rear pair of vertical support members, each rear support member having an upper and lower end; a front pair of vertical support members, each front support member having an upper and lower end; a rear removably hoπzontal support member πgidly secured between said rear pair of vertical support members directing said rear vertical support members at an angle toward each other; a pair of adjustable side hoπzontal support members, each ot said ad|ustable hoπzontal support members in selectable πgid securement to one member along the lengths of said rear pair of vertical support members and one member of said front pair of vertical support members directing both rear vertical support members at a forward angle; a safety zone in the inteπor of the trame, defined by said rear vertical support members and said rear and adjustable side hoπzontal support members; and means at said upper ends of said rear pair ot vertical support members to safely support a weight bar, whereby the center of gravity of the weighted frame is always within said safety zone. |
2. | The collapsible frame for weight lifters as recited in Claim 1 . wherein said angle of direction of said rear pa r of vertical support members towards each other is between 2 and 6 degrees. |
3. | The collapsible frame for weight lifters as recited in Claim 1 , wherein said angle of direction of said front pair of vertical support members towards each other is between 2 and 6 degrees. |
4. | The collapsible frame for weight lifters as recited in Claim 1 , further comprising a pair of wires secured to said lower ends of said rear pair of vertical support members and attached to said lower ends of said front pair of vertical support members, thereby preventing movement of said lower ends of said front pair of vertical support members away from said lower ends of said rear pair of vertical support members. |
5. | The collapsible frame for weight lifters as recited in Claim 1 , wherein said rear pair and said front pair of vertical support members are metal channels having evenly spaced holes drilled throughout their lengths. |
6. | The collapsible frame for weight lifters as recited in Claim 5, wherein said rear horizontal support member is selectably secured to said rear vertical support members through said holes. |
7. | The collapsible frame for weight lifters as recited in Claim 1 , wherein said pair of adjustable side horizontal support members further comprises: an inner surface which faces said rear pair and said front pair of vertical support members, and further having inner and outer portions; a pair of legs, each of said legs on said inner surface at said outer portions, said legs having a spring detent which slidably secures into said holes of said rear pair and said front pair of vertical support members; and a pair of pegs, each peg respectively rigidly secured to said inner surface at said outer portion of said adjustable horizontal support member distal to said legs, each peg downwardly angled. |
8. | The collapsible frame for weight lifters as recited in Claim 7, wherein said downward angle of said pegs is between 20 and 30 degrees. |
9. | The collapsible frame for weight lifters as recited in Claim 7, wherein said downward angle of .said pegs is 24 degrees. |
10. | The collapsible frame for weight lifters as recited in Claim 7, wherein said means for safely supporting a weight bar is a pair of pegs inserted at an upward angle in said holes at said upper ends of said rear pair of vertical support members. |
11. | The collapsible frame for weight lifters as recited in Claim 1 , wherein said forward angle of direction of said vertical support members is between 1 and 10 degrees. |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention.
The present invention is a collapsible frame for weight lifters. Weight lifting has
become a popular recreational activity for a large number ot people. In the past, most people
have had to go to a gym or other facility where, for a fee, the strong equipment necessary to
hold the weight bar in a ready position could be used. Also, in order to exercise all muscle
groups, different pieces of equipment were needed for different exercises. The cost of all
necessary weight lifting equipment was prohibitive for an individual for home use.
More particularly, the present invention relates to weight lifting frames which are
portable and, thus, suited for use in situations where exercise space is limited, or a permanent
weight lifting rack is not available, such as in home environs. Further, the present invention
teaches a portable and collapsible weight frame which can be disassembled into easily storable
metal components.
2. Descπption of the Related Art.
Pπor art home equipment for weight lifters has two major disadvantages. First, in order
to minimize space requirements and weight, home systems often compromised the range of
muscle groups that could be exercised, making a compact, but incomplete system. Further,
prior art home systems tended to be lighter in weight and thus less stable than gym equipment,
with the πsk that the frame will tip over when a heavy weight is held on the frame several feet
from the floor with a high center of gravity. The πsk of injury to the weight lifter was
substantial.
None of the collapsible weight-lifting frames known to the inventor address the
problems solved by the present invention, that is, providing a frame for weight lifters that is
portable and partially collapsible, simple to use, safe to use alone, and which can withstand
usage of very heavy weights without distressing or destabilizing the frame.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The primary object of the present invention is to provide a collapsible frame for weight-
lifters comprised of metal components, which is safe to be used alone while weight-lifting.
The present invention provides a collapsible frame for weight lifters, comprising a long
pair of vertical support members, each vertical support member having an upper and lower end,
a short pair of vertical support members, each vertical support member having an upper and
lower end, a rear removable horizontal support member rigidly secured between the long pair of
vertical support members, a front removable horizontal support member rigidly secured
between the short pair of vertical support members, a pair of adjustable side support members,
each of the adjustable side support members in selectably rigid securement with one member of
the long pair of vertical support members and one member of the short pair of vertical support
members, direct the long vertical support member at an angle towards the short vertical support
member, a safety zone in the interior of the frame, defined by the rear vertical support members
and the rear and adjustable side horizontal support members, and means at the upper ends of the
long pair of vertical support members to safely support a weight bar. Whereby, the center of
gravity of the weighted frame is always within the safety zone.
The above and yet further objects and advantages will become apparent from the
hereinafter set forth Brief Description of the Drawings, Detailed Description of the Invention,
and Claims appended herewith.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of as adjustable side support member being πgidly secured
into one each of the long and short pair of vertical support members.
Fig. 3 is a side view of the adjustable side support member.
Fig. 4 is a side view of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a collapsible weight-lifting frame, as shown in Fig. 1 , designed
to disassemble into metal rods, yet, assemble into a weight-lifting frame weighing only 35 kg,
yet having sufficient strength to support a static load of weights in excess of 500 kg. More
particularly, as seen in Fig. 1 , the portable frame is compπsed of a rear pair ot vertical support
members 10 and 1 1 , and front pair of vertical support members 12 and 13 The front pair of
vertical support members 12 and 13 are embodied as shown being substantially shorter than the
rear pair of vertical support members 10 and 1 1. This gives the user the advantage of easily
placing the weight bar 30 onto the weight bar holding means 28 and 29 at the upper ends of the
rear pair ot vertical support members 10 and I I from the front, without having to lift the bar
itself over the rear support members. For most weight lifters, the satisfactory lengths of the
rear pair of vertical support members 10 and 1 1 should be 6 feet, and the front pair of vertical
support members 12 and 13 should be about 4 feet.
The pair of rear vertical support members 10 and 1 1 and tront pair of vertical support
members 12 and 13 are steel channels, square in shape, approximately 2 inches by 2 inches in
dimension. To allow for adjustment, members 10, 1 1 , 12 and 13 have spaced holes 26 drilled
throughout their lengths approximately 2 to 3 inches apart. The holes 26 allow for the
removable and adjustable attachment of the side support members 14 and 17, without
comprising rigidity or strength.
While any configuration may be used to support weights up to 500 kg, I prefer to use
rolled steel, bent .and welded to form hollow channels for the support members. For vertical
members 10, 11 , 12 and 13, I prefer 2 inch square cross-section channels. For horizontal
support members, I prefer 2 inch by 1 inch hollow channels, without holes drilled throughout
their lengths.
Channels of different shapes, such as round or hexagonal cross-section may be used as
well. Of course, aluminum or magnesium may be used for lighter weight, but I have found
steel to be most cost effective. Titanium has greater tensile strength and would create and even
stronger frame, however, the cost of manufacture may offset the strength advantage. Even with
steel, the frame is very light, about 35 kg, yet will be able to support about 15 times its own
weight in static load.
Several frames in the prior art teach the use of feet on vertical support members for added stabilization. The present invention does not need feet as it is adequately stable as
discussed herein. Furthermore, the use of feet may be injurious to the user who may trip over
the feet while using the frame, and the feet also may detract from the stabilization created by the
angling of the vertical members discussed herein. Accordingly, while the present invention may
be embodies with feet at the bottoms of the vertical support members, it is not recommended.
The frame also has a rear horizontal support member 20 which laterally braces the rear
pair of vertical support members 10 and 1 1. In Fig. 1 , the rear horizontal support member 20
has angular supports 22 and 23 additionally attaching the rear horizontal support 20 and to the
rear pair of vertical supports 10 and 1 1. This allows for increased lateral strength, and also
allows the rear pair of vertical supports 10 and 1 1 to be slightly angled towards each other. The
angle 24 is in a range from 2 to 6 degrees from a plumbline A towards the other member of the
rear pair of vertical support members 10, with 4 degrees being optimum
When the rear horizontal support member 20 is lower than the weight bar holding means
28, it adds to the structural stability of the frame as the slight angle causes the weight bar 30 to
be supported by the tπangular structure defined by the rear vertical support member, the rear
horizontal support member and the angular support. The tπangular structure can support more
weight safely, instead of solely the rear vertical support members.
However, the rear hoπzontal support member 20 may be placed at the upper end of the
rear vertical support members 10 and 1 1 . This placement is recommended if the frame does not
use a front hoπzontal support member 16 as having the rear hoπzontal support member 20 at
the upper ends of the vertical support members 10 and 1 1 greatly increases the πgidity of the
rear vertical support members 10 and 1 1 to compensate for the lack of the front hoπzontal
support member 16.
As shown in Fig. 4, The rear horizontal support member 20 is πgidly affixed to the
rear pair of vertical support members 1 and 1 1 though the use of bolts, either slotted-head bolts
34, or through the use of wing-nut bolts 46 in Fig. 4. While bolts are the preferred
embodiment, any means which could selectively attach the hoπzontal support members may be
used.
As shown in Fig. 1 , the frame also has a front hoπzontal support member 16 with
angular supports 18 and 19 attached to the front pair of vertical support members 1 1 .and 12. A
front hoπzontal support member adds to the structural rigidity of the frame, although, the frame
may be embodied without a front hoπzontal support member
The front horizontal support member 16 is substantially similar to the rear horizontal support member in construct, method of attachment and function, except that it should be
attached to the front pair of vertical support members 12 and 13 at a point sufficiently low to
allow the user to step over it to easily enter the frame. Also, a typical weight bench may be
placed over the front horizontal 16 support member so that a user can perform exercises using
the bench within the frame, thereby having the safety benefits of the frame as the pair of
adjustable side horizontal support members 14 and 17 prevent any dropped weight from injuring
the user or falling to the floor.
The rear and front horizontal support members 20 and 16 should be between 4 and 6
feet in length, however, their length is to be governed by the length of weight bars to be rested
upon the frame. It is recommended that rear vertical support members 10 and 1 1 be 6 feet in
length and the front vertical support members 12 and 13 be 4 feet in length.
The adjustable side horizontal support members 14 and 17, as seen in Fig. 3, have a pair
of legs 38 and 39. The legs 38 and 39 are rigidly affixed to the side support member 14 by
means of a plate 15. Pegs 36 and 37 on side insert into the evenly spaced holes on the vertical
support members. The legs 38 and 39 have spring detents 40 and 41 which engage the desired
holes on the front and rear vertical support members 12 and 10. The plates 15 are rigidly bolted
44 to the adjustable side horizontal support member 14 and add greater strength to the support
by increasing load bearing strength. This spreads the force over a length of the vertical support
member rather than on the pegs 36 and 37.
The adjustable side horizontal support members 14 and 17 are preferably between 2 to 4
feet in length, although, the length is to be governed by desired exercise regimen and storage
characteristics.
As seen in Fig. 2, in operation, pegs 36 and 37 of the adjustable side horizontal support
member 14 slide into the evenly spaced holes of rear vertical support member 10 and front
vertical support members 12, causing the legs 38 and 39 to slide into contact with the each of
the vertical support members such that the spring detents 40 and 41 engage the evenly spaced
holes, securing the adjustable side horizontal support member.
The pegs 36 and 37 are angled downwardly in a range between 20 and 30 degrees, with
24 degrees being optimal. At 24 degrees, pegs 36 and 37 to hold the adjustable side horizontal
support member 14 in zero tolerance with the front and rear vertical support members 10 and
12. This rigidity is enhances with the extra resistance created by the legs 38 and 39 and the
engagement of the spring detents 40 and 41.
Further, the adjustable side horizontal support members 14 hold the rear pair of vertical
support members 10 and 1 1 and front vertical support members 12 and 13 at angle towards the
front, as shown in Fig. 4. The angle 42 is measured in a range between 1 and 10 degrees from
a plumbline B to front vertical support member 13. It is recommended that the pair of
adjustable side horizontal support members 14 give the front pair of vertical support members
12 and 13 a forward angle, parallel to angle 42. Angle 42 allows the center of gravity to shift
towards the center of the frame, giving greater structural rigidity. This prevents the frame from
being tipped over when weights are placed at the upper end of the rear pair of vertical support
members 10 and 1 1.
The rear vertical support members 10 and 1 1 could have a bend through their middle
towards the interior of the frame to achieve the same shifting of the center of gravity.
However, such a bend causes the vertical support member to lose some of its structural integrity
and therefore, it is not recommended to use such a bend. With the slight angling of the vertical
support member as disclosed, the objects of the invention are achieved while minimizing the
risk of destabilization due to any bending in the vertical support members.
When constructed with the inward angle 24, the center of gravity of the frame is shifted
towards the center of the frame, creating a safety zone. The safety zone is defined between the
adjustable side horizontal support members 14 and 17, and rear horizontal support member 20.
The safety zone is further defined by the front horizontal support member 16 when present,
thus, completely enclosing the safety zone to the interior of the frame. The safety zone enjoys
the benefit that any weight bar dropped will either deflect on the angled rear vertical support
members 10 and 1 1 or fall across the adjustable side horizontal support members 14 and 17.
Further, any weight which may fall from the weight bar will fall outside of the frame.
The portable frame for weight lifters may also have a wire 32 attached to the lower ends
of one member of the rear pair of vertical support members and front vertical support members,
as seen in Figs. 1 and 4. The wire 32 prevents the vertical support members from slipping
away from each other and possibly causing the detents in the adjustable side horizontal support
members 14 and 17 to dislodge from the vertical support members. If embodied with the
forward angle 42, then the wire 32, or comparable means, should be used to insure the safety of
the frame as their is a greater risk of such slippage.
The means for safely holding a weight bar is embodied here as being angled pegs 28 and
29 inserted through the holes at the upper end of the long pair of vertical support members 10,
as seen in Figs. 1 and 4. Alternatively, one may use hooks or any other means which allows
the weight bar 30 to be inserted into the members 10 and 1 1 , such that the bar 36 will not roll
out and fall.
While there has been shown the preferred .and alternate embodiments of the present
invention, it is to be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise that is herein
specifically shown and described, and that within said embodiments, certain changes may be
made in the form an arrangements of the parts without departing from the underlying ideas or
principles of this invention as set forth in the Claims appended herewith.
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