GB2598479A

GB2598479A - Exercise apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2598479A
Application number: GB2112241.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Cann Michael
Original assignee: Obsidian Int Ltd
Current assignee: Obsidian Int Ltd
Priority date: 2020-08-27
Filing date: 2021-08-26
Publication date: 2022-03-02
Also published as: GB202013410D0; GB202112241D0; WO2022043474A1

Abstract

Exercise apparatus for use with a door assembly (3, fig 1) or a window assembly comprising a panel (5, fig 1) movably mounted in a frame (7, fig 1). The exercise apparatus comprising: a first mounting member 19 and second mounting member 21 are retainable against the panel which is closed in the frame. A support arm 15 being connectable to the mounting members. The arrangement being such that a user can pass a resistance band around the support arm when the arm is restrained. The support arm may be coupled by a retainer 27 to the mounting members. The retainer may enable a resistance band to be looped around it. The support arm may comprise first and second elongate bodies releasably connected by a coupling. The coupling may be pivotable relative to the elongate body. An exercise bench 79 is disclosed. An accessory 103 is also disclosed.

Description

EXERCISE APPARATUS

Field

This disclosure relates to exercise apparatus, particularly but not exclusively to exercise apparatus that is fittable to a doorframe and which functions to provide, inter alia, an anchor for a resistance band.

Background

It has been the case that throughout the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic gym aficionados in many countries have been prevented from exercising indoors in commercial gymnasiums. To maintain their fitness levels, many of these persons have sought out other ways of exercising during the pandemic, and some have sought to try and replicate at home the functionality offered by the gyms that they are members of.

One item of equipment that has proven to be popular amongst such persons is the so-called resistance band. Resistance bands come in many different forms, and the term is a generic descriptor for a variety of devices that can be gripped and extended by a user to exercise various different muscles. One illustrative example known as the MIRAFIT RESISTANCE BAND (available from:.,.yvew.wjrakt,c,ciik) comprises a strap of elastic material that is formed into a loop. Users can tie one end of the band to a support (such as a tree branch, for example) and then pull on the band, or grasp either end of the loop and pull to extend the loop. Another illustrative example of a resistance band (sometimes also referred to as a "resistance tube") known as the 66Fit Safety Resistance Exercise Tube (available from www.66fit.co.uk), comprises a length of elastic cord or tubing that terminates at either end in a coupling to which a respective handle can be attached. A user can grasp a handle in each hand and extend the cord, can can optionally secure the cord to a support. Other previously proposed devices exist, all of which operate on the basis of providing a tension force that a user of the device can pull against to exercise. VVhilst such devices are popular and generally effective exercise tools, social media and the internet in general are replete with stories and videos of unfortunate persons who have secured their resistance band around an inappropriate support such as a door handle or window latch, and then pulled the handle or latch from the door or window whilst exercising -sometimes causing severe injury to themselves.

The exercise apparatus disclosed herein has been devised with the foregoing in mind.

Summary

In accordance with a presently preferred embodiment, there is provided exercise apparatus for use with a door assembly or a window assembly, the door or window assembly comprising a panel movably mounted in a frame, said panel being moveable between open and closed positions relative to the frame, the exercise apparatus comprising: a first mounting member retainable against the panel when the panel is closed in the frame; a second mounting member retainable against the panel when the panel is closed in the frame; and a support arm having first and second ends, said support arm being connectable to said first mounting member in the vicinity of said first end and to said second mounting member in the vicinity of said second end so that the arm is restrained when the first and second mounting members are retained against the panel and the panel is closed in the frame, the arrangement being such that a user can pass a resistance band around the support arm when the arm is so restrained and exercise by extending said resistance band.

In one implementation said first and second mounting members can each be coupled to said support arm by means of a retainer. The support arm may include a plurality of retainers. Each said retainer may be configured to enable a user to loop a resistance band around the retainer.

The support arm may comprise first and second elongate bodies releasably connectable to one another by means of a coupling. The coupling may be connected to one of said first and second elongate bodies. The coupling may be pivotable relative to the elongate body to which it is connected. The coupling may comprise a loop that forms a handle, and first and second L-shaped formations that extend from respective end regions of a wall that forms part of said loop, the L-shaped formations co-operating with said wall to form generally C-shaped portions that open to opposite sides of the loop. The coupling may be configured so that once the first and second elongate bodies have been placed end to end, the coupling can be rotated to cause each said C-shaped portion to engage with a respective one of said first and second elongate bodies to securely couple the elongate bodies together.

Preferably, the mounting members are reversible so that the exercise apparatus can be installed in a door or window assembly in a number of different orientations.

Preferably at least one of said mounting members comprises a generally L-shaped stop-abutting plate that is configured to abut against a stop of the frame when the exercise apparatus is installed in the door or window assembly. The at least one mounting member may comprise a spacer plate coupled to said L-shaped stop-abutting plate, an end portion of the spacer plate in the vicinity of the L-shaped stop-abutting plate lying, in use, against a jamb of the frame. The at least one mounting member may comprise a mounting plate extending generally perpendicularly from an end region of the spacer plate remote from the end portion that lies against a jamb of the frame in use.

In one implementation at least one of said mounting members may comprise a U-shaped bracket for receiving a rail of the door.

The apparatus may further comprise an accessory for attachment to the support, the accessory comprising a coupling that is configured so that the coupling can be pivoted to attach the accessory to the support, and a bar extending generally perpendicularly to either side of said coupling, the bar being configured for supporting one or more extendable exercising implements.

In another implementation the apparatus may comprise an accessory for coupling to the support, the accessory comprising an L-shaped arm that is configured to be coupled in use to the support, wherein said L-shaped arm comprises one or more couplings and terminates in a foot plate on which a user stands when the accessory is in use, the arrangement being such that a resistance band can be threaded through one of said couplings and then be attached to a belt that a user wears round their waist when exercising.

In another arrangement, the exercise apparatus may comprise an accessory for enabling a user to exercise their deltoid muscles, the accessory comprising a sheath that can be slid onto the support, and an arm pivotally attached to the sheath, the arrangement being such that a resistance band can be coupled between the arm and the support to enable a user to exercise their deltoid muscles by pivoting the arm about the support against the resistance provided by said resistance band.

Another aspect of the disclosure comprises an exercise bench having a pair of legs, a cross-brace extending between the legs, and one or more pads coupled to the cross-brace, wherein the bench further comprises a receptacle for receiving a part of a resistance band support, the receptacle being configured so that the support extends away from the cross-brace when the support is received in the receptacle, the arrangement being such that a resistance band supported by said support in use lies generally above the pads. The bench may be configured so that the receptacle is capable of accommodating the support arm of exercise apparatus as described herein.

Other preferred features are set out elsewhere in the specification.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Various aspects of the teachings of the present invention, and arrangements embodying those teachings, will hereafter be described by way of illustrative example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of exercise apparatus installed in a door assembly; Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the apparatus depicted in Fig. 1 before installation; Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of an illustrative mounting member; Figs. 4(a) to 4(c) are diagrams illustrating the different ways in which the mounting member of Fig. 3 can be installed in a door assembly; Fig. 5 is a schematic representation of exercise apparatus in a door assembly; Figs 6 and 7 are enlarged views of part of the apparatus and door assembly of Fig. 5 Fig 8 is another schematic representation of exercise apparatus in a door assembly; Figs. 9(a) and 9(b) are a schematic perspective views of an illustrative coupling for exercise apparatus; Fig. 10 is a schematic perspective view of an accessory; Fig. 11 is a schematic perspective view of another accessory; Fig. 12 is another schematic perspective view of the accessory depicted in Fig. 11; Fig. 13 is a schematic perspective view of another accessory; Fig. 14 is a schematic perspective view of another accessory; Fig. 15 is a schematic perspective view of another accessory; Fig. 16 is another schematic view of illustrative exercise apparatus installed in a door assembly; Fig. 17 is another schematic view of illustrative exercise apparatus installed in a window assembly; Fig. 18 is another schematic view of illustrative exercise apparatus installed in a door assembly; and Fig. 19 is another schematic view of illustrative exercise apparatus installed in window assembly.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of exercise apparatus 1 that has been installed in a door assembly 3. As is well known, such door assemblies comprise a door 5 which is hinged to a door frame 7 so that the door 5 can be moved between open and closed (as depicted) positions. Such door frames 7 comprise a lock side jamb 9, a hinge side jamb (not shown in Fig. 1), a top jamb that extends between the lock-and hinge-side jambs, and a stop 11 (Fig. 5) extending around an inner face of the jambs, and against which the door 5 abuts when the door 5 is in the depicted closed position.

In the particular example depicted in Fig. 1, the exercise apparatus 1 has been installed in the door assembly 3 so that the exercise apparatus 1 extends generally vertically between a lock stile 13 of the door and the lock side jamb 9 of the door frame 7.

As will be explained in more detail hereafter, a particular advantage of the exercise apparatus herein disclosed is that this is not the only configuration in which the exercise apparatus can be installed in a door assembly. As a consequence, the exercise apparatus herein disclosed is particularly versatile as it can be installed in a door assembly in a variety of different orientations.

Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view of exercise apparatus of the type depicted in Fig. 1. The apparatus comprises a support 15 that in this particular arrangement comprises a square-section arm 17. In other envisaged arrangements the support may be configured as a rod or a bar, and may have other cross-sectional shapes -for example, round, elliptical or rectangular. In a particularly preferred arrangement, the support is hollow to reduce the overall weight of the apparatus, but it could be solid if so desired.

In the preferred arrangement, the support is elongate and generally linear. In other envisaged arrangements the support may have or include differently shaped supports, for example it could be part-circular.

The support is coupled to a door assembly by means of first and second mounting members 19, 21 that are each connectable to the support. The first mounting member 19 is coupled to the support in the vicinity of a first end 23 of the support, and the second mounting member 21 is coupled to the support in the vicinity of a second end 25 of the support distal from the first end 23. In the preferred arrangement, both mounting members are identical, and reversible so that the exercise apparatus can be installed in a door assembly in a number of different orientations.

Skilled persons will appreciate that the mounting members 19, 21 can be connected to the support 15 in any of a number of different ways. In one envisaged arrangement, the mounting members 19, 21 are each coupled to the support 15 by a retainer 27 that extends through the through the mounting member and engages with the support. For example, in one envisaged arrangement the retainer may include a threaded bolt that engages with a co-operating captive nut mounted in the support 15. The retainer can preferably be disengaged from the support to allow the apparatus to be disassembled for storage.

Once the mounting members have been coupled to the support, and the apparatus has been installed in a door assembly, a user can loop a resistance band around the support and exercise by pulling On a direction away from the door) against the resistive force provided by the band.

In a preferred arrangement, a plurality of retainers 29 are spaced along the length of the support so that the distance between the respective mounting members can be varied to accommodate differently sized or shaped door assemblies. This arrangement also enables resistance bands to be looped around a given retainer to allow a user to exercise by pulling against the resistive force provided by the band upwardly or downwardly in a direction generally parallel to the plane of the door.

In one envisaged arrangement each retainer comprises a peg that has a similar shape to a bobbin (namely a cylindrical body (which may or may not be hollow) having flanged top and (optionally) bottom faces), so that retention of a resistance band on the peg is promoted. In other envisaged arrangements, the retainers may comprise a hook or a loop with which a resistance band may be engaged.

Referring now to Fig. 3, each of the mounting members 19, 21 comprises a mounting plate 31 which includes an aperture 33 through which part of the retainer 27 can pass to engage with the support. A spacer plate 35 extends generally perpendicularly from the mounting plate 31 and functions to space the support from the door assembly when the apparatus is installed. An end portion of the spacer plate 35 remote from the mounting plate 31 abuts, in use, against a jamb of the frame in use. A generally L-shaped stop-abutting plate 37 extends from the spacer plate and is configured to abut against the stop of the door frame in use.

Figs. 4(a) to 4(c) are cross-sectional views through a doorway assembly in which a mounting member of the type shown in Fig. 3 has been installed. Figs 4(a) to (C) illustrate the different ways that the mounting member of Fig. 3 can be installed in a door assembly. The support of the exercise apparatus has been omitted for clarity.

In the arrangement of Fig. 4(a) a mounting member is installed between a lock-side jamb 39 and stop 41 of a frame, and a lock-side stile 43 of a door 45 that is hinged by hinges 47 to a hinge-side jamb 49 of the frame.

In this position, the support (when coupled to the mounting plate 31 of the mounting member) will lie towards the outside of the frame on the inward side of the door assembly, i.e. the side of the door assembly where the door moves into a room as the door is opened.

If the mounting member of Fig. 3 is rotated through 180 degrees about the line AA, then the mounting member can (as shown in Fig. 4(b)) again be installed between the lock-side jamb 39 and stop 41 of the frame, and the lock-side stile 43 of the door 45. However, in this instance the support (when coupled to the mounting plate 31 of the mounting member) will lie towards the inside of the frame on the outward side of the door, i.e. the side of the door assembly where the door moves away from you into a room when the door is opened.

If the mounting member of Fig. 3 is rotated through 180 degrees about the line AA and subsequently rotated about 180 degrees through the line B--B, then the mounting member can (as shown in Fig. 4(c)) be installed between the hinge-side jamb 49 and stop 51 of the frame, and a hinge-side stile 53 of the door 45. In this instance, as with the arrangement shown in Fig. 4(b), the support (when coupled to the mounting plate 31 of the mounting member) will lie towards the inside of the frame on the outward side of the door, i.e. the side of the door assembly where the door moves away from you into a room when the door is opened.

As can be appreciated from the foregoing, simply by rotating the mounting members the exercise apparatus can be installed in a doorway assembly in one of a number of different orientations, thereby greatly increasing the versatility of the apparatus.

Fig. 5 is a schematic elevation depicting apparatus installed in a door assembly. The arrangement depicted in Fig. 5 is broadly the same as that shown in Fig. 4a, except for the fact that the right-hand side of the door is hinged to the frame in Fig. 4a and in Fig. the left-hand side of the door is hinged to the frame.

Figs. 6 and 7 are enlarged details of the arrangement shown in Fig. 5. As shown, when the mounting members are installed in a door assembly the end portion of the spacer plates 35 remote from the mounting plates 31 abuts, in use, against the lock-side jamb (in this particular case) of the frame. The generally L-shaped stop-abutting plates 37 extend from the spacer plate and abut against the stop 11 of the door frame. Wien the door is closed the mounting members are tightly clamped between the door and the frame, and a user can pass a resistance band around the support or one of the retainers and exercise by extending the band.

Fig. 8 is another view of the door assembly depicted in Fig. 5 with the exercise apparatus installed between the hinge-side stile of the door and the hinge-side jamb of the door (i.e. as with the arrangement depicted in Fig. 4(c)).

In the arrangements depicted in Fig. 1 and 2, the support comprises a single elongate body. In the arrangements depicted in Figs. 5 and 8, the support comprises two elongate bodies 15(i), 1500 that are releasably coupled together. In this way, the support can be reduced in size for storage when not in use. The two elongate bodies of the support depicted in Figs. 5 and 8 are coupled together by a coupling, in one envisaged arrangement a coupling 55 of the type depicted in Figs. 9(a) and 9(b).

As shown the coupling 55 comprises a rectangular loop 57 that functions as a handle for the apparatus. First and second generally L-shaped formations 59, 61 extend from respective end regions of a wall 63 of the loop 57, and the L-shaped formations co-operate with the wall to form first and second C-shaped portions 65, 67 which open to opposite sides of the loop.

In one envisaged implementation, the coupling is pivotally attached to one of the aforementioned two elongate bodies, and can be rotated between a locked position where the loop is parallel to the support and each C-shaped portion is engaged with a respective one of the two elongate bodies that make up the support, and an unlocked position where the loop is generally perpendicular to the support and both C-shaped portions are disengaged from respective elongate bodies. In this unlocked position, one support body can be removed from the other to reduce the size of the apparatus.

To enhance the locking action of the coupling, the wall 63 may include a pair of slots 69, 71 that are each associated with a respective one of the C-shaped portions 65, 67, and open to the same side of the loop as the associated C-shaped portion 65, 67. The slots are configured to engage with projections carried by the two elongate bodies 150), 15(ii).

In another anticipated arrangement, the coupling 55 may not be pivotally attached to one of the elongate bodies. In this arrangement, both elongate bodies would need to be coupled to the coupling to form the support.

The apparatus disclosed herein can be combined with a number of accessories to further expand the repertoire of exercises that a user can undertake. Fig. 10 is a schematic representation of the apparatus and one such accessory 73.

The accessory 73 in this implementation comprises a bar 75 that can be mounted on the support 15 so that the bar 75 extends perpendicularly to either side of the support to provide a user with a wider grip of a pair of resistance bands 77 that are coupled to the bar 75. In this arrangement the bar 75 is coupled to a double hook that is similar to the wall and L-shaped formations of the aforementioned coupling 55, and which can be attached to the support by pivoting the double hook until each hook engages with a portion of the support. Each hook may optionally be configured to interface with a pair of the retainers that are coupled to the support.

Figs. 11 and 12 depict another accessory 79 for use with the support 15 of the exercise apparatus, in this particular example once the support has been detached from the mounting members. The accessory 79 in this embodiment comprises a bench on which a user can lie to extend a resistance band coupled to the support once the support has been coupled to the bench. The bench comprises a pair of legs 81, 83 separated by a cross-member 85 to which a pair of pads 87, 89 are coupled. One pad 87 is arranged so that the angle of inclination relative to the cross-member 85 can be adjusted. As shown in Figs. 11 and 12, each leg 81, 83 includes a groove or slot 91 that is shaped to mate with the support 15, and a locking mechanism may optionally be provided so that a user can lock the support in a chosen leg 81, 83. In the preferred arrangement both legs are provided with a groove or slot so that a support can be coupled to either end of the bench. In other envisaged arrangements only one leg of the bench may be provided with a groove or slot. In a preferred arrangement, the groove or slot is generally C-shaped in cross-section (opening outwardly as shown) so that the support can be received in the groove or slot without having to remove the retainers (which project through the open part of the c-shaped groove or slot).

Fig. 13 depicts another accessory 93 for use with the apparatus. The accessory in this arrangement is designed to enable a user to do squats against the resistance of a resistance band. To that end, the accessory comprises an L-shaped arm 95 that is coupled in use to the support 15 (for example, by means of a retainer coupled to the support through a part of the L-shaped arm 95). The arm includes a plurality of hoops 95, and terminates in a foot plate 97 on which a user stands when the accessory is in use. A resistance band 99 can be threaded through one of the hoops and then be attached to a belt 101 that a user wears round their waist when exercising.

Fig. 14 depicts yet another accessory 103 for use with the apparatus. The accessory 103 in this arrangement is configured to enable a user to exercise their arms. In a similar arrangement to that depicted in Fig. 10, the accessory 103 comprises a bar 105 that can be mounted on the support 15 so that the bar 105 extends perpendicularly to either side of the support to enable a user to grip of a pair of resistance bands 107 that are coupled to the bar 105. In this arrangement the bar 105 is coupled to a double hook that is similar to that associated with the accessory shown in Fig. 10. As before, each hook may optionally be configured to interface with a pair of the retainers that are coupled to the support.

Fig. 15 is a schematic depiction of yet another accessory 107 that is configured to enable a user to exercise their deltoid muscles. The accessory 107 comprises a sheath 109 that can be slid onto the support. An arm 111 is pivotally attached to the sheath 109, and a resistance band 113 can be coupled between the arm 111 and the support. In the arrangement illustrated, the accessory is mounted on the support so as to enable a user to exercise their left deltoid, but it will be appreciated that the accessory could be inverted and mounted on the support to enable a user to exercise their right deltoid.

In the aforementioned arrangements the support is generally vertical (with respect to the door assembly) and the mounting members are coupled between the same stile of 35 the door and the same jamb of the frame.

In the arrangement depicted in Fig. 16, the support 15 is arranged so that it extends generally horizontally with respect to the door assembly. In this arrangement, one mounting member 117 is sandwiched between the hinge-side jamb of the frame and the hinge-side stile of the door, and the other mounting member 119 is sandwiched between the lock-side jamb of the frame and the lock-side stile of the door. To achieve this, the mounting members would be adapted for the hinge and lock sides of the door, and would be similar to Fig. 3 except for the spacer plate which would include a 90 degree turn to the left for the hinge side mounting member and a 90 degree turn to the right for the lock-side mounting member.

Fig. 17 shows a similar arrangement, but in this case the support is configured for use with a window assembly consisting of a window 119 pivotally mounted in a window frame 121. The mounting members in this arrangement are configured so that the support extends generally horizontally with respect to the frame. In this implementation, the mounting members would be similar to those described above with reference to Fig. 16.

It will be apparent to persons of skill in the art that the arrangements hitherto described are not the only way that a support may be installed into a door or window assembly. For example, as depicted in Fig. 18, a support could be attached to a door of a door assembly so that one mounting member is retained against the door's top rail and another is retained against the door's bottom rail. In this example, the mounting member for the top of the door may be as shown in Fig. 3, whereas the mounting member for the bottom of the door may include a U-shaped bracket for receiving the bottom rail of the door. In a similar fashion, the support may be fitted to a window so that one mounting member is retained against the top of the window and the other is retained against the bottom, as shown in Fig. 19.

It will be appreciated that whilst various aspects and embodiments of the present invention have heretofore been described, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the particular arrangements set out herein and instead extends to encompass all arrangements, and modifications and alterations thereto, which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

For example, whilst in the aforementioned examples the support is configured for installation into a door or window assembly, it is conceivable for the mounting members to be configured so that the support can be permanently attached to a wall.

It is also conceivable that the bench may be configured so that the support of the exercise apparatus need not be decoupled from the mounting members, and that the bench be configured so that it can be used with the apparatus whilst the apparatus is installed in a door assembly.

It should also be noted that whilst the accompanying claims set out particular combinations of features described herein, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the particular combinations hereafter claimed, but instead extends to encompass any combination of features herein disclosed.

Finally, it should be noted that any element in a claim that does not explicitly state "means for' performing a specified function, or "steps for' performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a "means" or "step" clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. Sec. 112, par. 6. In particular, the use of "step of' in the claims appended hereto is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. Sec. 112, par. 6.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Exercise apparatus for use with a door assembly or a window assembly, the door or window assembly comprising a panel movably mounted in a frame, said panel being moveable between open and closed positions relative to the frame, the exercise apparatus comprising: a first mounting member retainable against the panel when the panel is closed in the frame; a second mounting member retainable against the panel when the panel is closed in the frame; and a support arm having first and second ends, said support arm being connectable to said first mounting member in the vicinity of said first end and to said second mounting member in the vicinity of said second end so that the arm is restrained when the first and second mounting members are retained against the panel and the panel is closed in the frame, the arrangement being such that a user can pass a resistance band around the support arm when the arm is so restrained and exercise by extending said resistance band.
2. Exercise apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said first and second mounting members are each coupled to said support arm by means of a retainer.
3. Exercise apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein said support arm includes a plurality of retainers.
4. Exercise apparatus according to Claim 2 or 3, wherein each said retainer is configured to enable a user to loop a resistance band around the retainer.
5. Exercise apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the support arm comprises first and second elongate bodies releasably connectable to one another by means of a coupling.
6. Exercise apparatus according to Claim 5, wherein the coupling is connected to one of said first and second elongate bodies.
7. Exercise apparatus according to Claim 6, wherein the coupling is pivotable relative to the elongate body to which it is connected.
8. Exercise apparatus according to any of Claims 5 to 7, wherein the coupling comprises a loop that forms a handle, and first and second L-shaped formations that extend from respective end regions of a wall that forms part of said loop, the L-shaped formations co-operating with said wall to form generally C-shaped portions that open to opposite sides of the loop.
9. Exercise apparatus according to Claim 8, wherein said coupling is configured so that once the first and second elongate bodies have been placed end to end, the coupling can be rotated to cause each said C-shaped portion to engage with a respective one of said first and second elongate bodies to securely couple the elongate bodies together.
10. Exercise apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the mounting members are reversible so that the exercise apparatus can be installed in a door or window assembly in a number of different orientations.
11. Exercise apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of said mounting members comprises a generally L-shaped stop-abutting plate that is configured to abut against a stop of the frame when the exercise apparatus is installed in the door or window assembly.
12. Exercise apparatus according to Claim 11, wherein said at least one mounting member comprises a spacer plate coupled to said L-shaped stop-abutting plate, an end portion of the spacer plate in the vicinity of the L-shaped stop-abutting plate lying, in use, against a jamb of the frame.
13. Exercise apparatus according to Claim 12, wherein said at least one mounting member comprises a mounting plate extending generally perpendicularly from an end region of the spacer plate remote from the end portion that lies against a jamb of the frame in use.
14. Exercise apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of said mounting members comprises a U-shaped bracket for receiving a rail of the door.
15. Exercise apparatus according to any preceding claim comprising an accessory for attachment to the support, the accessory comprising a coupling that is configured so that the coupling can be pivoted to attach the accessory to the support, and a bar extending generally perpendicularly to either side of said coupling, the bar being configured for supporting one or more resiliently extendable exercising implements.
16. Exercise apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising an accessory for coupling to the support, the accessory comprising an L-shaped arm that is configured to be coupled in use to the support, wherein said L-shaped arm comprises one or more couplings and terminates in a foot plate on which a user stands when the accessory is in use, the arrangement being such that a resistance band can be threaded through one of said couplings and then be attached to a belt that a user wears round their waist when exercising.
17. Exercise apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising an accessory for deltoid muscle exercising, the accessory comprising a sheath that can be slid onto the support, and an arm pivotally attached to the sheath, the arrangement being such that a resistance band can be coupled between the arm and the support to enable a user to exercise their deltoid muscles by pivoting the arm about the support against the resistance provided by said resistance band.
18. An exercise bench having a pair of legs, a cross-brace extending between the legs, and one or more pads coupled to the cross-brace, wherein the bench further comprises a receptacle for receiving a part of a resistance band support, the receptacle being configured so that the support extends away from the cross-brace when the support is received in the receptacle, the arrangement being such that a resistance band supported by said support in use lies generally above the pads.
19. An exercise bench according to Claim 18, wherein the bench is configured so that the receptacle is capable of accommodating the support arm of exercise apparatus according to any preceding claim.
20. An accessory as defined in any one of Claims 15, 16 or 17, the accessory being configured for use with the Exercise apparatus of any of Claims 1 to 14.