EP0507751A1

EP0507751A1 - Rapidly and easily mountable wall bars

Info

Publication number: EP0507751A1
Application number: EP92830165A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Rosito Scaramucci
Original assignee: VIGOR SPORT - Srl
Current assignee: VIGOR SPORT - Srl
Priority date: 1991-04-05
Filing date: 1992-04-02
Publication date: 1992-10-07
Also published as: ITAP910003U1; IT225067Z2; ITAP910003V0

Abstract

The instant invention concerns an exercise frame of simple and rapid assembly, in which the horizontal rungs (1) are fixed in a stable manner of the lateral uprights (2) at their front longitudinal edge.

Description

DISCLOSURE

This patent application concerns an exercise frame of simple and rapid assembly. As is known, frames like orthopaedic ladders, have been widely diffused for some time as efficient exercise equipment.
The frames and orthopaedic ladders currently available have always been manufactured using the same techniques of construction; more particularly, each frame consists of a pair of uprights positioned side by side ( normalle made of wood, more rarely of metal), between which there is a series of horizontal rungs, these being normally made of wood and having a cylindrical or oval transversal section. The application of the rungs to the uprights in practice, is made possible by the fact that at the centre of the uprights themselves, there is a series of through holes or equivalent slots - vertically positioned at regular intervals - within which, the ends of the series of horizontal rungs can be inserted in a stable and accurate manner. The attachment of the ends of the rungs to the uprights currently takes place by means of adhesives, together with nails, wood screws and metallic or wooden pegs; this system resulting in each of the rungs of the frame providing the means for the stable and defintive union of the two lateral uprights.
This guarantees the extraordinary stability of the article but, at the same time, it does however limit its functionality and above all, maintenance, due to the fact that a frame of this type can no longer be disassembled without creating enormous practical difficulties and a considerable waste of time and money.
Therefore, since it is practically impossible to disassemble a frame of this kind without damage, it will in no way be possible to arrange for the replacement of a rung which may get broken or wear as often happens; consequently only two alternatives remain, neither of which are particularly satisfactory : either replace the complete frame, even if only one rung is damaged or keep such a frame in the gym in spite of the fact that its efficiency is reduced.
It is on the basis of these considerations, that the frame according to the invention has been created and it is proposed as a highly functional article which at the same time can be maintained easily and efficiently.
In fact, this new article introduces a major innovation compared to the traditional techniques of manufacturing exercise frames; in fact, in this case, the rungs are no longer positioned and fixed between the uprights, but on the other hand, they are simply supported on the front longitudinal edge of the uprights, without therefore being "bound" to the uprights.
It is obvious that the securing of the rungs in this unusual manner can be carried out in various alternative and equally effective ways, in particular using any means which guarantee high stability and safety in the fixing of each rung to the respective upright.
In this consideration; bolts, rivets ( especially if the posts are metal), or other equivalent means can be used to good advantage.
A similar type of assembly, which is equally stable and strong, can also be carried out if there is provided on the front longitudinal edge of a pair of support uprights, a series of "C" shaped hollow notches - vertically positioned at a suitable distance from each other -, within which to nest, for half of their transversal section, the rungs to be supported; however, in this case too, the fixing in place of said rungs will be considered complete only after the subsquent use of screws, bolts or equivalent fixing means.
Moreover, it should be underlined that the preparation of a pair of uprights as described above would prove to be fast and simple, since it is sufficient for the purpose to make a series of circular holes, suitably distanced and vertically positioned, at the centre of a board, the width of which is exactly twice as great as each upright, and subsequently to make a longitudinal notch on said board at a point exactly corresponding to its central axis.
In any case, it is worth noting that the main feature of the article in question - regardless of the details concerning its practical realisation - lies not only in the simplicity and speed of its assembly and disassembly, either partial or total, hut above all, in the ease with which one or more damaged rungs can he removed and replaced, without having to disassemble any of the intact rungs nor the pair of lateral supporting uprights.
As a result of the simplicity and rapidity of assembly and disassembly of the frame in question, there are further advantages to be gained in terms of easy transportation and practical storage, in as much as the said article can easily be transported and stored, while still totally disassembled, and therefore taking up very little space, to be subsequently assembled, if necessary by the user himself, only when it is definitively installed in place.
For further clarity of explanation, the description of the invention continues with reference to the attached drawings included for illustrative and not limitative purposes, wherein :

Fig.1 is a side view of part of one of the uprights of the frame according to the invention, a small part of which is sectionized;
Figures 2 to 5 are sections of alternative solutions for fixing the rungs on the front longitudinal edge of the uprights of the frame, according to the invention;

In Fig.1, one version of construction of the frame according to the invention is illustrated, in which the fixing of the rungs (1) on the front longitudinal edges of the uprights (2) is carried out by providing - on the respective front longitudinal edges of said uprights (2) - a series of "C" shaped notches (3), at a regular distance from each other, which are intended to precisely house the rung (1) for about half of its circular transversal section; it being, in any case, further provided that the union between the rung (1) and the upright (2) be made stable by means of fixing screws (4).
In the construction solutions illustrated in the remaining figures, the rung is not embedded, not even partially, on the front edge of the upright, but it merely rests against it in a stable manner, due to the fact that different but equivalent fixing means are used.
More particularly, in Figure 2, a solution is illustrated, whereby the rung (1) rests against the upright (2), by by means of a sleeve - fixed to the upright (2) by a special screw (5a) - within which sleeve the said rung (1) slots precisely.
In Figure 3, a solution is illustrated, wherein the rung (1) is fixed to the upright (2) by the direct use of a clamping screw (6), able to completely cross the body of the rung and to be driven subsequently into the front edge of the upright (2).
In the solution in Fig.4, the union between the rung (1) and the upright (2) is obtained by using a bridge-fork (7) screwed to the upright (2) and able to completely surround the rung (1) and to push it against the longitudinal front edge of the upright (2).
In the solution in Fig.5, the aforementioned union between the rung (1) and the upright (2), is effected by interpositioning a saddle support (8) within which the rung (1) can nest precisely, it being further provided that a long through screw (8a) be used, able to cross and clamp in a stable manner, both the rung (1) and the support (8) underneath, to the front edge of the upright.
It should be understood that the solutions just described are merely some practical embodiments of the idea at reference in this patent; in fact, all other possible alternative solutions which are equivalent and still remain within the scope of the same inventive concept should be included.

Claims

1) Exercise frame of simple and rapid assembly, of the type consisting of a pair of upright boards side by side to which, at regular intervals, there are fixed several horizontal rungs, characterised by the fact that the rungs (1) are fixed in a stable manner to the uprights (2), at a point corresponding to their front longitudinal edge;

2) Exercise frame of simple and rapid assembly, according to claim l), characterised, in a preferred form of embodiment, by the fact that the rungs (1) are partially embedded - and subsequently clamped by means of through screws (4) - within "C" shaped notches (3) made at regular intervals along the front longitudinal edge of both the supporting uprights (2);

3) Exercise frame of simple and rapid assembly,according to claim l), characterised by the fact that the rung (1) comes to rest against the upright (2), by means of a sleeve (5) - fixed to the upright (2) by a screw (5a) - within which the rung(1) can be precisely inserted;

4) Exercise frame of simple and rapid assembly, according to claim l), characterised by the fact that the rung (1) rests against the upright (2) by the direct use of a clamping screw (6), able to completely cross the body of said rung (1) and to be driven subsequently into the front edge of the upright (2);

5) Exercise frame of simple and rapid assembly, according to claim l), characterised by the fact that the rung (1) is fixed to the upright (2) by means of a bridge-fork (7), screwed to the upright (2), and able to completely surround the rung (1) and to push it firmly against the front longitudinal edge of the said upright (2);

6) Exercise frame of simple and rapid assembly, according to claim l), characterised by the fact that the union between the rung (1) and the upright (2) is carried out by the interpositioning of a saddle support (8) within which the rung (1) can nest precisely, it being further provided that a long through screw (8a) be used, able to cross and firmly clamp the rung (1) and the support (8) underneath, to the front edge of the upright ( 2).