AU2020203691A1

AU2020203691A1 - Multifunctional training apparatus

Info

Publication number: AU2020203691A1
Application number: AU2020203691A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Shane Ross Maguire; Thomas William Strofield
Original assignee: Funcboys Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Funcboys Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2020-06-04
Filing date: 2020-06-04
Publication date: 2021-12-23

Abstract

The present invention relates to a multifunctional training apparatus comprising a base, a front wall, a pair of side walls and a rear wall connected to the base, and 5 a top comprising a seat portion and a bench portion, wherein the bench portion is pivotable relative to the seat portion, and wherein the bench portion is adapted to be maintained in a plurality of positions. The present invention alleviates the problem of storage and requiring a plurality of personal exercise equipment. 155 155 i'i 156 1576 13132a FIG22

Description

155

i'i 156

1576

13132a

FIG22

TITLE

Multifunctional training apparatus

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of physical training. More particularly, the present invention relates to the field of storage. Even more particularly, the invention relates to a multifunctional training apparatus.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] Any reference to background art herein is not to be construed as an admission that such art constitutes common general knowledge in Australia or elsewhere.

[0003] Physical training requires many different tools and apparatus to isolate and train different parts of the body. Consumers may opt to sign up for a gym membership, however these can represent an ongoing cost and can represent a significant expenditure. An alternative to a gym membership to a set up a gymnasium at a personal residence.

[0004] Personal home gymnasiums require many different training tools, such as free weights, resistance bands, kettle bells, medicine balls and the like. However, these training tools can be bulky and not stackable. Furthermore, the amount of available space for a gymnasium is typically relatively small and so storage of such equipment is also an impediment to setting up a home gymnasium.

[0005] Further to this, large apparatus may be required in a home gymnasium. In this regard, an example of a larger apparatus is an adjustable bench. An adjustable bench allows a user to alter the position of the bench such that different muscle groups can be targeted during physical training. For instance, at different positions, the shoulder muscles or the chest muscles may be targeted.

[0006] It would be advantageous to alleviate one or more of the above issues, or to at least provide the consumer with a useful or commercial alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In one form, although it need not be the only or indeed the broadest form, the invention resides in a multifunctional training apparatus comprising

a base;

a front wall, a pair of side walls and a rear wall connected to the base to define an enclosed internal space; and

a top supported on portions of the front wall, rear wall and said side walls, the top comprising a seat portion and a bench portion,

wherein the bench portion is pivotable relative to the seat portion, and wherein the bench portion is adapted to be maintained in a plurality of positions.

[0008] In one embodiment, the bench portion is hingedly connected to the seat portion or the side walls.

[0009] In certain embodiments, the multifunctional training apparatus further comprises a support member hingedly connected to the bench portion. Suitably, the support member comprises a retaining member at a distal end thereof. In an embodiment, the retaining member comprises a pair of outwardly extending arms that may be perpendicular to the support member.

[0010] In some embodiments, the pair of side walls each comprise at least one complementary retaining member that holds the retaining member. Suitably, the at least one complementary retaining member and retaining member support the bench in the plurality of positions.

[0011] In embodiments, the two side walls each have an aperture. In certain embodiments, the apertures in the two side walls are aligned.

[0012] In one embodiment, the rear wall and front wall each have an aperture. Suitably, the apertures in the front wall and rear wall are aligned.

[0013] In an embodiment, the side walls comprise one or more recesses at a lower end thereof.

[0014] In certain embodiments, the multifunctional training apparatus further comprises a support bar fixedly attached to the front wall and rear wall. The support bar is located external to an internal volume defined by the top, base, side walls, front wall and rear wall.

[0015] In an embodiment, the multifunctional training apparatus further comprising a locking arrangement to lock the position of the bench portion preferably to prevent pivoting movement of the bench portion relative to the seat portion.

[0016] In an embodiment, the multifunctional training apparatus further comprises holding members extending across the internal space of the base to interconnect oppositely positioned side walls and/or front and rear walls, the holding members being configured to receive a user's hands to allow the user to lift and hold the apparatus by grasping the holding members.

[0017] In an embodiment, the base is formed by portions of said front wall, side walls and the rear wall to define an opening into the internal space.

[0018] The various features and embodiments of the present invention referred to in the individual sections above and in the description which follows apply, as appropriate, to other sections, mutatis mutandis. Consequently features specified in one section may be combined with features specified in other sections as appropriate.

[0019] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] To assist in understanding the invention and to enable a person skilled in the art to put the invention into practical effect, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG 1 shows a top view of a multifunctional training apparatus;

FIG 2 shows a side view of the multifunctional training apparatus;

FIG 3 shows a rear view of the multifunctional training apparatus;

FIG 4 shows the other side view of the multifunctional training apparatus;

FIG 5 shows a front view of the multifunctional training apparatus;

FIG 6 shows a perspective view of the multifunctional training apparatus;

FIG 7 shows a support member utilized in the multifunctional training apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Embodiments of the present invention reside primarily in multifunctional training apparatus. Accordingly, the apparatus and method steps have been illustrated in concise schematic form in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are necessary for understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as to not obscure the disclosure with excessive detail that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the present description.

[0022] In this specification, adjectives such as first and second, front and rear, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one element or action from another element or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order.

[0023] Words such as "comprises" or "includes" are intended to define a non exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed, including elements that are inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus.

[0024] As used herein, the term 'about' means the amount is nominally the number following the term 'about' but the actual amount may vary from this precise number to an unimportant degree.

[0025] In a first aspect, although it need not be the only or indeed the broadest aspect, the invention resides in a multifunctional training apparatus comprising

a base;

a top supported on in-use upper portions of the front wall, rear wall amd said side walls, the top comprising a seat portion and a bench portion,

[0026] Referring to FIG 1 to 6 there is a shown an exemplary embodiment of the present multifunctional training apparatus in a number of views (top, side, rear, front and perspective views). Multifunctional training apparatus 100 comprises a base 110, a front wall 120, a pair of side walls 130a, 130b (generally denoted by 130) and a rear wall 140. The front wall 120, pair of side walls 130a, 130b and rear wall 140 are connected to the base 110 to define an internal space or volume. The multifunctional training apparatus 100 further comprises a top 150 supported on portions of the front wall 120, side walls 130a, 130b and rear wall 140. The top 150 comprises a seat portion 152 and a bench portion 155.

[0027] Please note that the side view from '1' is shown in FIG 2, the rear view from '2' is shown in FIG 3, the side view from '3' is shown in FIG 4, and the front view from '4' is shown in FIG 5.

[0028] In one embodiment, the side walls 130 have a longer length than the rear and front walls. In one embodiment, the rear walls 140 and the front wall 120 has the same dimensions and the side walls 130 have the same dimensions to define a cuboidal internal volume.

[0029] The seat portion 152 may be fixed permanently in position such that it is maintained a certain height and a specific inclination. Alternatively, the seat portion 152 may be provided with a height adjustment mechanism. In this regard, the seat portion may be elevated to accommodate the height of the operator.

[0030] The bench portion 155 is pivotable relative to the seat portion 152. The bench portion 155 is adapted to be maintained in a plurality of positions namely inclinations. For instance, the bench portion may configured to be in a closed position whereby the bench portion 155 is substantially in the same plane as the seat portion 152 (shown in FIG 1). In this position, the base 110, front wall 120, pair of side walls 130a, 130b, rear wall 140, top portion 150 (seat portion 152 and bench portion 155) define an internal volume that can be utilized as storage. The bench section 155 may also be configured to be at least one incline position (mentioned in more detail hereinafter).

[0031] As mentioned above, a problem with presently available gym equipment is that they are difficult to store. A typical piece of gym equipment is an adjustable incline bench. The present invention functions as both an adjustable incline bench and as storage. In this regard, the internal volume can be utilized to store free weights, kettlebells, resistance bands, medicine balls and the like, when not in use. This alleviates the problem associated with a home gymnasium requiring larger amounts of space. Further advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following description.

[0032] The bench portion 155 is pivotable relative to the seat portion 152. In one embodiment, the bench portion 155 is hingedly connected to the seat portion 152. In another embodiment, the bench portion 155 may be hingedly connected to the pair of side walls 130a and 130b. In the embodiment shown, the bench portion 155 is hingedly connected to the seat portion 152. The bench portion 155 is suitably connected to a support member 156. In one embodiment, the bench portion 155 is hinged by at a proximal end of support member 156 is a retaining member 157. The retaining member 157 comprises a pair of perpendicular outwardly extending arms 157a, 157b. The outwardly extending members 157a and 157b form a T-shape with the support member 156.

[0033] The distance between the distal ends of the outwardly extending members 157a and 157b is suitably just less than the internal distance between the internal side walls 130a and 130b. The side walls 130a and 130b comprise at least one pair of complementary retaining members that hold the retaining member 156 (outwardly extending members 157a and 157b). In one embodiment, the side walls 130a and 130b each comprise a notch 131a and 131b that can receive the outwardly extending members 157a and 157b, respectively. Notches 131a and 131b hold the support member 156 which in turn supports the bench portion 155 in a particular position (as shown in FIGs 2, 4 and 6, at about 450). The side walls 130a and 130b may also further comprise second notches 132a and 132b. Notches 132a and 13b hold the support member 156 which in turn holds up bench portion 155 in a particular position (as shown in FIGs 2 and 4 in dotted lines, in a more vertical position). It will be appreciated that the side walls may be provided with a number notches which can support the support member and the bench portion in a number of incline positions. As the retaining member is substantially the same (or slightly less) length as the length between the internal side walls, the retaining member cannot slip from the notches allowing for the retaining member to be adequately secured.

[0034] In one embodiment, the bench portion 155 is adapted to be maintained at about 450 relative to the plane of the seat portion 152. In a further embodiment, the bench portion 155 is adapted to be maintained at a substantially perpendicular position relative to the plane of the seat portion 152. In a further embodiment, the bench portion 155 is adapted to be maintained in substantially the same plane as the seat portion 152.

[0035] The side walls 130 may each comprise an aperture. In one embodiment, both side walls comprise an aperture. In one embodiment, the apertures in side walls and are aligned. Shown in the figures, side wall 130a comprises an aperture 133a and side wall 130b comprises aperture 133b. Furthermore, apertures 133a and 133b are aligned apertures. Apertures 133a and 133b can be utilized for resistance training. For instance, the operator can insert a resistance band through one or both of these apertures and utilize them as an anchoring point.

[0036] The front wall and/or rear wall may comprise an aperture. In one embodiment, the front wall comprises an aperture. In some embodiments, the rear wall comprises an aperture. Shown in the figures, front wall 120 comprises an aperture 121 and rear wall 140 comprises an aperture 141. Similar to the side wall apertures, apertures 121 and 141 can be utilized for resistance training. For instance, the operator can insert a resistance band through one or both of these apertures.

[0037] Furthermore, the apertures in the side walls 130, front wall 120 and rear wall 140 can be utilized as hand holds for moving the multifunctional training apparatus.

[0038] In one embodiment, one or both of the side walls 130 may be utilized for marketing material. For instance, one or both of the side walls may comprise a logo or product name. In the embodiment shown, side wall 130b comprises marketing material.

[0039] Shown in FIG 7 is an embodiment of the support member 156. As mentioned previously, the support member comprises a retaining portion 157. The retaining portion 157a and 157b which are releasably engageable with complementary retaining members (such as the previously mentioned notches) to support the bench portion 155. The support member 156 is also connected to the bench portion 155. The support member 156 may also comprise a connection portion 157 which connects to the bench portion 155. In this regard, the bench portion 155 may further comprise a complementary connection portion (not shown). The connection portion is suitably hingedly connected to the bench portion. In the embodiment shown, the connection portion 158 is in the form of a pair of protruding members 158a and 158b. Protruding members 158a and 158b are hingedly connected to the bench portion 155.

[0040] In one embodiment, the base 110 may be connected to the side walls 130, rear wall 140 and front wall 120 in a position adjacent to the ends thereof. In this embodiment, a small chamber may be formed by the base, side walls, rear wall and front wall. That is, a small chamber is formed on the underside of the multifunctional training apparatus. In this embodiment, a bar (not shown) may be fixedly secured to the front wall and rear wall in this recess. It will be appreciated that the bar may further support the base to increase the storage load capacity of the multifunctional training apparatus. The bar may also be used in the same fashion as a barbell. The bar can be utilized in bent-over barbell row.

[0041] The base of the side walls 130a and 130b may also comprise one or more recess(es) at a base thereof. These recesses may be utilized in resistance training. In this regard, a recess at the base is further away from an operator and this increases the resistance in the resistance band. In the embodiment shown, the side walls 130a and 130b comprise three aligned recesses at a lower end thereof, 134a', 134a", 134a"', and 134b', 134b", 134b"' respectively. These recesses may be suitably aligned

[0042] The multifunctional training apparatus can be utilized in a number of different training exercises. For instance, the closed box may be used for jump squats; the seat portion may be used to isolate the tricep muscles in tricep dips or used to isolate the pectoral muscles in incline pushups. A number of different muscle groups can be targeted by altering the position of the bench portion. Different amounts of resistance can be chosen based on which aperture or recess is utilized. Furthermore, different resistance forces can be utilized depending on where the operator is located on the box and which recess or aperture is utilized in resistance training.

[0043] In some embodiments, the position of the bench portion 155 may be locked relative to the seat portion 152 by utilizing a locking arrangement. In one particular embodiment, the bench portion 155 may be locked to maintain the bench portion 155 in the same plane as the seat portion 152. Holding members may also be provided to enable the user to easily grasp and lift the apparatus 100. The holding members may extend across the internal space of the base 110 to interconnect oppositely positioned side walls 130 and/or front and rear walls 120 and 140 and the holding members may be configured to receive a user's hands to allow the user to lift and hold the apparatus 100 by grasping the holding members.

[0044] It should be clear from the above that the present invention allows for a multitude of different training techniques with a single space efficient product. Furthermore, the present invention provides storage for other exercise equipment.

[0045] The above description of various embodiments of the present invention is provided for purposes of description to one of ordinary skill in the related art. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to a single disclosed embodiment. As mentioned above, numerous alternatives and variations to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art of the above teaching. Accordingly, while some alternative embodiments have been discussed specifically, other embodiments will be apparent or relatively easily developed by those of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, this invention is intended to embrace all alternatives, modifications and variations of the present invention that have been discussed herein, and other embodiments that fall within the spirit and scope of the above described invention.

Claims

1. A multifunctional training apparatus comprising

a base;

2. The multifunctional training apparatus of claim 1, where the bench portion is hingedly connected to the seat portion or the side walls.

3. The multifunctional training apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising a support member hingedly connected to the bench portion.

4. The multifunctional training apparatus of claim 3, wherein the support member comprises a retaining member at a distal end thereof.

5. The multifunctional training apparatus of claim 4, wherein the retaining member comprises a pair of outwardly extending arms preferably extending in a perpendicular direction relative to the support member.

6. The multifunctional training apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pair of side walls each comprise at least one complementary retaining member that holds the retaining member.

7. The multifunctional training apparatus of any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the at least one complementary retaining member and retaining member support the bench in the plurality of positions.

8. The multifunctional training apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the two side walls each have an aperture.

9. The multifunctional training apparatus of claim 8, wherein the apertures in the two side walls are aligned.

10. The multifunctional training apparatus of any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the rear wall and front wall each have an aperture.

11. The multifunctional training apparatus of claim 7, wherein the apertures in the front wall and rear wall are aligned.

12. The multifunctional training apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the side walls comprise one or more recesses at a lower end thereof.

13. The multifunctional training apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein a support bar is fixedly attached to the front wall and rear wall.

14. The multifunctional training apparatus of claim 12, wherein the support bar is located external to an internal volume defined by the top, base, side walls, front wall and rear wall.

15. The multifunctional training apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims further comprising a locking arrangement to lock the position of the bench portion preferably to prevent pivoting movement of the bench portion relative to the seat portion.

16. The multifunctional training apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims further comprising holding members extending across the internal space of the base to interconnect oppositely positioned side walls and/or front and rear walls, the holding members being configured to receive a user's hands to allow the user to lift and hold the apparatus by grasping the holding members.

17. The multifunctional training apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims wherein the base is formed by portions of said front wall, side walls and the rear wall to define an opening into the internal space.