CA2325844A1 - Inflatable exercising structure - Google Patents

Abstract

An inflatable exercising structure is comprised of an air-tight, enclosed, membrane formed of flexible inflatable sheet material. An air intake valve is secured to the membrane to inflate the enclosed membrane to form an inflated upright structure. A skirt of flexible sheet material is secured to the membrane and disposed about a lower section thereof and attached at a lower edge thereof whereby to immobilize the inflated upright structure. A
plurality of hand and foot engaging elements are secured to an outer surface of the membrane to provide for one or more persons to exercise on the outer surface of the upright structure.

Description

INFLATABLE EXERCISING STRUCTURE
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to an inflatable s exercising structure formed of flexible, inflatable sheet material whereby, when inflated, forms an inflated upright structure, and wherein the outer surface of said structure is provided with hand and foot engaging elements such as grip holds or foot holds whereby a person can climb on the ~o outer surface of the structure and therefore physically exercise thereon.
BACKGROUND ART
It is known to construct an artificial rock 15 Climbing structure from hardened material such as fiberglass or rigid plastics whereby to simulate a rock surface. Grip holds and foot holds are formed integral with the outer surface of the structure or attached thereto whereby a person can climb the surface of the artificial rock zo structure and thus simulating a rock climbing exercise. It is also known to construct upright equipment with various exercising means associated therewith to provide a multitude of physical exercising devices, as is disclosed in U.S.
Patent 6,095,950. There also exists a need to transport and 2s quickly erect these structures and such need is exemplified by U.S. Patent 6,083,142 wherein a simulated rock structure is placed on a trailer in a horizontal fashion and then erected upright on a site.
3o SUMMARY OF INVENTION
It is a feature of the present invention to provide an inflatable exercising structure which is easily and quickly erected, which is easy to transport and store in a small package and safe to use.
35 Another feature of the present invention is to provide an inflatable exercising structure formed of an air-tight enclosed membrane and which can be inflated by utilizing an ordinary vacuum cleaner capable of pumping one pound per square inch pressure in the inflatable structure.
Another feature of the present invention is to s provide an inflatable exercising structure comprised of an air-tight enclosed membrane which is supported on a support frame to provide stability to the structure when inflated and wherein casters can be connected to the frame and disconnected therefrom to provide for the transport of the ~o structure.
Another feature of the present invention is to provide an inflatable exercising structure comprised of an air-tight enclosed membrane which is provided with improved grip holds and foot holds formed by an improved attachment assembly preventing detachment thereof while permitting easy replacement of these grip holds and foot holds.
According to the above features, from a broad aspect, the present invention provides an inflatable exercising structure which comprises an air-tight enclosed zo membrane formed of flexible inflatable sheet material. An air intake valve is secured to the membrane to inflate the enclosed membrane to form an inflated upright structure.
Attachment means is provided to immobilize the inflated upright structure. A plurality of gripping means are zs secured to an outer surface of the membrane to provide for one or more persons to exercise on the outer surface of the upright structure.
According to a further broad aspect of the present invention the attachment means is formed by a skirt of 3o flexible sheet material which is secured to the membrane and disposed about a lower section of the membrane and secured to a support frame.
According to a further broad aspect of the present invention the inflatable exercising structure support frame 35 1S provided with a stabilizing framework for abutting engagement with a lower wall of the membrane to provide stability to the inflated upright structure.
According to a still further broad aspect of the present invention the inflatable exercising structure s support frame is formed of hinged sections which are hinged to predetermined positions when the membrane is deflated and wherein casters are easily connected and disconnected from the support frame to transport the hinged support frame and the collapsed membrane thereon.
~o According to a still further broad aspect of the present invention the membrane is provided with grip holds and foot holds secured to an outer surface thereof. The foot holds and grip holds are detachably secured to an attachment assembly comprised of a rectangular flat backing is plate having a connector projecting from a surface thereof and through a hole formed in the membrane with the backing plate disposed flat on an inner surface of the membrane and immobilized by a patch disposed thereover and heat-welded about the backing plate to prevent displacement thereof.
zo The grip holds and foot holds have a connecting rod removably secured to the connector from the outer surface of the membrane.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
z5 A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a side view showing the inflatable exercising structure of the present invention which 3o simulates a rock wall having grip holds and foot holds secured thereto;
FIG. 2 is a fragmented side view similar to Figure 1 illustrating the use of the inflatable exercising structure;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the inflatable exercising structure showing an assembly of shock absorbing pads disposed on a ground surface all about the inflated upright structure;
s FIG. 4 is a fragmented section view of a lower end of the inflatable membrane when in its inflated state;
FIG. 5 is a section view showing the construction of a grip hold;
FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the configuration ~o of the flat backing plate and the patch disposed thereover;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the construction of the support frame;
FIG. 8 is a side view showing the hinged sections of the support frame;
~5 FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmented view showing the construction of the caster assembly and how it is detachably secured to one of the circle segment sections of the support frame;
FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the 2o inflatable exercising structure in its deflated state with the support frame disposed upright on its casters and wherein the structure is in a storage or non-use condition;
FIGS. 11A to 11C are simplified side views illustrating how the inflatable exercising structure is 2s erected;
FIG. 12 is a fragmented side view showing how the support frame may be immobilized on a support surface by the provision of foot plates;
FIG. 13 is a partly fragmented and partly 3o sectioned side view showing the stabilizing framework of the support frame and how it deforms the lower wall of the inflatable membrane when inflated to form the upright structure; and FIG. 14 is a side view showing the inflated 35 upright structure of the present invention and wherein different types of gripping means are secured to the outer surface of the membrane to provide for different types of exercises.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
s Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to Figures 1 to 3, there shown generally at 10 the inflatable exercising structure of the present invention. This structure is comprised of an air-tight enclosed membrane 11 formed of flexible inflatable sheet ~o material such as the type that is used to construct inflatable dinghies. Such membrane material is fabricated from a lamination of a woven fiber, such as Dacron (registered trade mark of Dupont) and which resists stretching and perforation while permitting flexibility.
15 These fibers are saturated by a molecular process which makes it possible to laminate on both sides of the fabric various sheet layers of textile such as polyurethane-PVC
fabric. This fabric is cut in sections to form a cylinder-like membrane and the sections are thermo-bonded together to 2o form the air-tight enclosed membrane 11.
As hereinshown a skirt 12 of the same flexible sheet material is bonded to the membrane 11 and disposed about a lower section of the membrane. A plurality of gripping means, herein in the form of grip holds 8 and foot z5 holds 9, are secured to the outer surface 19' of the cylindrical side wall 19 of the structure 10 and as well on the skirt 12 whereby to permit a person 13 to climb the side wall to perform a physical climbing exercise.
A plurality of shock absorbing pads 14 are 3o disposed all about the inflatable upright structure 10 on the ground surface 15. As shown in Figure 3, these shock absorbing pads 14 are formed in sections and interconnected by loop connectors 14'. Still further, an attachment ring 16 may be immovably secured to the top wall 17 of the 35 inflatable upright structure whereby a safety rope 18 can be passed through the attachment ring 16 and connected to the exercising person 13 and held by another person 20 located on the ground surface and watching the person 13 climb the cylindrical side wall 19. The use of such safety rope is well known in the art.
s The inflatable enclosed membrane 11 is also provided with an air intake valve secured to the membrane 11 at an appropriate location for ease of access thereto whereby to permit the enclosed membrane to be inflated.
Figure 11C shows how the inflation takes place and this is to done effectively by an ordinary workshop vacuum 40 capable of delivering 1 p.s.i. of pressure to the membrane. With 1 p.s.i. of pressure, the membrane remains rigidly upright as shown in Figure 1. This air intake valve is a pressure release intake valve adapted to automatically release air 15 from the inflated upright structure 10 when air pressure within the structure exceeds a predetermined p.s.i. value and namely 1 p.s.i. This increased pressure may be caused by heat, particularly when the structure is erected outdoors and under a hot summer sun.
zo In order to immobilize the inflated upright structure 10 on the support surface 15, the skirt 12 may be provided with attachment means in the form of eyelets 21 disposed all about a lower connecting skirt section 12' whereby to receive fasteners, herein illustrated as a ground zs anchor rod 22 to exert and hold down pressure in the direction of arrow 24 as the air-tight membrane 11 is being inflated. The lower wall 25 of the membrane is formed with a flattened section 26 to provide support on the surface 15 and the skirt provides the immobilizing or stabilizing 3o attachment in one example of how the structure may be held securely. Of course, bolt fasteners may be provided instead of ground anchors 22 to secure in complimentary fasteners which may be permanently secured in a hard surface. As shown in Figure 4, the skirt 12 is connected about the side 35 wall 19 by thermo-fusing.

Referring now to Figures 5 and 6, there will be described the manner in which the gripping means, herein the grip holds 8 and foot holds 9 are constructed. As hereinshown, the grip hold 8 is detachably secured by a bolt s 30 to an attachment assembly which comprises a rectangular flat backing plate 31 provided with a connector 32 in the form of a rigid cylinder having a threaded inner bore 33 provided with an open end and which projects through a hole 34 formed in the membrane 11 whereby to receive the bolt ~o fastener 30 in threaded engagement therein. The fasteners 30 are hereinshown as threaded studs but the fasteners 30 and the connectors 32 may be of another type, such as bayonet-type connectors. An important feature of the attachment assembly is that the rectangular flat backing is plate 31 is of rectangular outline, herein having a square periphery 35 and is held immobilized or captive by a patch 36 which is also thermo-fused on the inner surface of the membrane 11. Accordingly, the backing plate will resist planar displacement thereof when tension is applied on the zo grip holds or foot holds 8 and 9.
With reference now to Figure 7, there is shown the construction of a support frame 38 to which the inflatable membrane is preferably secured for immobilization and stability. The support frame 38 is constructed for abutment zs with the lower wall 25 (see Figure 13) of the inflatable membrane 11 to provide stability as will be described later.
As hereinshown, the support frame 38 is formed of interconnected channel members, and namely an outer circular channel member 39 and transverse straight members 41, such 3o as steel tubing interconnected together by welding. The transverse straight members are connected inwardly of the outer circular channel member. A stabilizing framework is secured to the support frame and projects upwardly thereof.
This stabilizing framework is comprised by tubular 35 pyramidal-shaped ribs 42 disposed at opposed end sections of _ g _ two transverse diametrical axes of the outer circular channel member 39 and projecting vertically thereabove.
As shown in Figure 13, these stabilizing ribs 42 cause the lower wall 25 of the membrane to deform by the s hold-down tension of the skirt 12 which is rigidly secured at its lower end section to the outer circular channel member 39 by fasteners 43. The deformations 44 caused by the ribs 42 as well as the hold-down tension provided by the skirt 12 prevents the inflated upright structure 10 from ~o swaying off its central vertical axis 45 when the structure is in use.
As shown in Figures 7 and 13, a convex arch rib 46 may also be secured between a pair of diametrically opposed ones of the pyramidal-shaped ribs 42 to deform a central ~S section 47 of the lower wall 25 to increase the stability of the inflated upright structure.
With reference to Figures 7 to 11C, there will now be described a preferred construction of the support frame 38. As hereinshown, the support frame is a sectional zo support frame having a generally rectangular central frame section 50 having arcuate outer end channel members 51 and opposed longitudinal straight parallel channel members 52.
Opposed like circle segment sections 53 are hingedly secured by hinges 54 on opposed sides of the central frame section z5 50. Each of the circle segment sections has a long arcuate outer channel member 55 and a straight member 56 spanning opposed free ends 55' of the arcuate outer channel member 55.
As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the opposed circle 3o segment sections 53 may be disposed upwardly of the central frame section 50 by their hinge connections 54 to a predetermined upright position. This predetermined upright position is determined by arresting lugs 57 welded on the top wall of the straight parallel channel members 52 for 35 abutting engagement with a side wall of the straight tubular members 56 when they are hinged upwardly. Preferably, one of the circle segment sections 53, herein segment 53' as shown in Figure 9, is held substantially vertically upwards for a reason which will now be described.
As shown in Figure 9, the support frame 38 may be s converted to a mobile frame by detachable caster assembly 60 to provide ease of displacement of the frame and the collapsed membrane thereon for relocation or storage.
The detachable caster assembly comprises a caster support bar 61 to which is secured a pair of spaced casters ~0 62. A transverse attaching bar 63 is secured to an end 64 of the support bar 61 and extends transversely of the bar and the pair of casters. One or both of the circle segment sections, namely section 53' as shown in Figure 9, is provided with a hollow caster connecting tube 65 which is welded to the straight member 52 and extends transverse thereof to the edge of the member 52. A caster connecting tube 65 is secured spaced from each of the opposed ends of the long arcuate channel member 55 at a predetermined location. In order to secure the detachable caster assembly zo 60 to the circle segment section 53', the transverse attaching bar 63 is slidingly disposed in the connecting tube 65 in close sliding fit therein. Accordingly, a pair of these caster assemblies are removably securable adjacent opposed ends of the circle segment section 53' which is z5 substantially vertically upright and arrested at that position. By tilting the folded frame structure and the collapsed membrane 11 upright, to a position as shown in Figure 10, the inflatable structure 10 is in a storage condition.
so With reference now to Figure 10, it can be seen that the lower end section of the membrane has a plurality of eyelets 21 disposed thereabout and that lower section is reinforced to provide a secure attachment of the lower section of the skirt which is under tension when the 3s membrane is inflated, as previously described. Although not shown, a cover may be disposed over the folded structure, as illustrated in Figure 10, to place same in storage.
With reference now to Figures 11A to 11C, there is shown the manner in which the structure is erected. The s folded structure is brought to a site where the structure needs to be erected and laid on its side, namely with the central frame section 50 disposed on the support surface 51.
As hereinshown the detachable caster assembly 60 is provided with a handle 70 for ease of displacement but this handle is ~o not essential. The assembly 60 is then removed from the circle segment section 53', and as shown in Figure 11B, these circle segment sections 53 and 53' are hinged downwardly in the direction of arrow 71 to lie on the floor surface in a manner as illustrated in Figure 11C. The ~s vacuum hose 40' of the Shop Vac 40 is then connected to the valve 23 to inflate the membrane. As the membrane becomes inflated, the lower end section of the skirt 12 is secured to the frame, as shown in Figure 13 by the fasteners 43.
The structure continues to be inflated and the lower wall 25 20 of the membrane deforms as the structure becomes fully inflated due to the clamping hold-down force exerted by the skirt.
With reference now to Figure 12, there is shown the provision of a stabilizing foot assembly 80 which is 25 securable in the hollow connecting tubes 65 after the casters have been removed. Preferably, these hollow connecting tubes 65 are secured to each side of the central frame section 50, as shown in Figure 8, whereby to receive therein the stabilizing foot assembly 80. This stabilizing 3o foot assembly is comprised of a foot plate 81 of rectangular shape secured to a connecting rod 82 which is dimensioned for close sliding fit within the hollow channel member 65.
The foot plate has a through-hole 83 for receiving a fastening element, herein shown as a ground anchor rod 84 35 therethrough to secure the plate 81 flat on a ground surface 85. The connecting rod 82 may be fairly long whereby the foot plate 81 is secured spaced outwardly of the support frame to provide added stability. Of course, these foot plates could also be engaged in a hard surface by screw fasteners or other type fasteners, not shown, but obvious to s a person skilled in the art.
Figure 14 is a side view showing the inflated upright structure 10 herein provided with different types of attachment elements and as hereinshown the grip holds 8 and foot holds 9 may be disposed in a section of the outer ~o surface 19 of the membrane 11 and extend from the skirt 12 to the top wall 17. The cylindrical side wall 19 is also provided with loop elements 90 which are attached to the outer surface of the membrane by an attachment assembly as previously described for the grip holds and foot holds.
15 Accordingly, a person can climb up the wall merely by using his arms if he so desires or a combination of the loops 90 and the foot and grip holds 9 and 8. Additionally, there is shown a plurality of ladder-like bar engaging elements 91 secured to the outer surface of the membrane and which can 2o be used for a different type of exercise. It may also be used in combination with the loop elements 90 or grip holds 8 and foot holds 9.
It is within the ambit of the present invention to cover any obvious modifications of the preferred embodiment z5 and structural examples described herein, provided such modifications fall within the appended claims.

Claims (24)

1. An inflatable exercising structure comprising an air-tight enclosed membrane formed of flexible inflatable sheet material, an air intake valve secured to said membrane to inflate said enclosed membrane to form an inflated upright structure, attachment means to immobilize said inflated upright structure, and a plurality of gripping means secured to an outer surface of said membrane to provide for one or more persons to exercise on said outer surface of said inflated upright structure.

2. An inflatable exercising structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein said attachment means secures said air-tight membrane to a support frame.

3. An inflatable exercising structure as claimed in claim 2 wherein said support frame has a stabilizing framework for abutment with a lower wall of said membrane to provide stability to said inflated upright structure.

4. An inflatable exercising structure as claimed in claim 3 wherein said attachment means is a skirt of flexible sheet material secured to said membrane and disposed about a lower section of said membrane, said skirt being secured at a lower free edge thereof to said support frame with said stabilizing framework disposed inwardly thereof and concealed by said skirt.

5. An inflatable exercising structure as claimed in claim 4 wherein said inflated upright structure is a tubular structure defining a cylindrical side wall, a top wall and said lower wall.

6. An inflatable exercising structure as claimed in claim 5 wherein an attachment ring is immovably secured to said top wall for receiving therethrough a safety rope attachable to a person exercising on said cylindrical side wall of said inflated upright structure.

7. An inflatable exercising structure as claimed in claim 5 wherein there is further provided shock absorbing pads disposed on a ground surface all about said support frame and about said inflated upright structure.

8. An inflatable exercising structure as claimed in claim 5 wherein said support frame is formed of interconnected channel members, there being an outer circular channel member and transverse straight members connected thereto and disposed inwardly thereof, said stabilizing framework being comprised by pyramidal-shaped ribs disposed at opposed end sections of two transverse diametrical axes of said outer circular channel member and extending vertically thereof, said ribs causing said lower wall of said enclosed membrane to deform by the hold-down tension of said skirt of said inflated membrane when said membrane is inflated.

9. An inflatable exercising structure as claimed in claim 8 wherein there is further provided a convex arch rib disposed between a pair of diametrically opposed ones of said pyramidal-shaped ribs to deform a central section of said lower wall to increase the stability of said inflated upright structure.

10. An inflatable exercising structure as claimed in claim 8 wherein said support frame is a sectional support frame having a generally rectangular central frame section having arcuate outer end channel members and opposed longitudinal straight parallel channel members; and opposed like circle segment sections, each having a long arcuate outer channel member and a straight member spanning opposed free ends of said long arcuate outer channel member; and hinges interconnecting said opposed like circle segments to a respective one of said parallel channel members whereby said opposed like circle segment sections may be disposed upwardly of said central frame section and arrested by circle segment arresting means to dispose said enclosed membrane, when not inflated, in a collapsed folded storage condition between said circle segment sections.

11. An inflatable exercising structure as claimed in claim 10 wherein said support frame is further provided with detachable casters whereby said frame can be converted to a mobile frame for ease of displacement and storage of said inflatable exercising structure.

12. An inflatable exercising structure as claimed in claim 11 wherein said detachable casters comprise a caster assembly formed by a caster support bar to which is secured a pair of spaced casters, and a transverse attaching bar secured to an end of said caster support bar and extending transversely on an opposite side of said pair of casters, one of said circle segment sections having a hollow caster connecting tube secured thereunder and disposed transverse to said straight member spaced from each of said opposed free ends of said long arcuate channel member, said transverse attaching bar of said caster assembly being slidingly received in said connecting tube whereby a pair of said casters is disposed adjacent said long arcuate channel member whereby said other of said circle segment sections can be hinged above said central frame section and said central frame section hinged on said circle segment section with said casters on a ground surface.

13. An inflatable exercising structure as claimed in claim 10 wherein each of said circle segments is provided with a pair of spaced parallel hollow connecting tubes secured thereunder and extending transverse to said straight member and projecting to said long arcuate outer channel member, and a stabilizing foot assembly having a foot plate secured to a connecting rod, said connecting rod being slidingly received in close fit in one of said connecting tubes with said foot plate lying flat on a support surface to provide added stability to said inflated upright structure.

14. An inflatable exercising structure as claimed in claim 13 wherein said foot plate is provided with a through hole for receiving a fastening element therethrough to immovably secure said foot plate and said support frame to said support surface.

15. An inflatable exercising structure as claimed in claim 14 wherein said fastening element is a ground anchor rod for securing said foot plate over a ground surface.

16. An inflatable exercising structure as claimed in claim 14 wherein said fastening element is a bolt fastener for securing said foot plate over a hard floor surface.

17. An inflatable exercising structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein said flexible inflatable sheet material is a laminated polyurethane-PVC fabric, said enclosed membrane being inflatable to approximately 1 p.s.i.

18. An inflatable exercising structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein said intake valve is a pressure release intake valve adapted to automatically release air from said inflated upright structure when air pressure within exceeds a predetermined p.s.i. value.

19. An inflatable exercising structure as claimed in claim 3 wherein said attachment means is provided by a lower connecting skirt section having fastener receiving eyelets in a reinforced free end edge thereof for receiving fasteners to secure same to a support surface or said support frame.

20. An inflatable exercising structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein said gripping means is comprised by hand and foot engaging elements.

21. An inflatable exercising structure as claimed in claim 20 wherein said hand and foot engaging elements are grip holds and foot holds secured to said outer surface of said membrane, said foot holds and grip holds being detachably secured to an attachment assembly comprised of a rectangular flat backing plate having a connector projecting from a surface thereof and through a hole in said membrane with said backing plate disposed flat on an inner surface of said membrane and immobilized by a patch disposed thereover and heat welded about said backing plate to prevent displacement thereof, said grip holds and foot holds having a connecting stud removably secured to said connector from said outer surface of membrane.

22. An inflatable exercising structure as claimed in claim 21 wherein said connector is a cylindrical connector having a threaded inner bore having an open end projecting through said outer surface of said membrane, said connecting stud of said grip holds and foot holds being a threaded connecting stud.

23. An inflatable exercising structure as claimed in claim 20 wherein said hand and foot engaging elements are loop elements.

24. An inflatable exercising structure as claimed in claim 20 wherein said hand and foot engaging elements are ladder-like bar engaging elements.