US20110251028A1

US20110251028A1 - Exercise Apparatus

Info

Publication number: US20110251028A1
Application number: US13/026,216
Authority: US
Inventors: Steven Michael Bono
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-04-13
Filing date: 2011-02-12
Publication date: 2011-10-13

Abstract

An exercise apparatus comprising an elongate support member, an exercise attachment, a frame member, and lateral arm supports is provided. The elongate support member is removably attached to a support frame of the exercise apparatus. The exercise attachment, for example, a rod member, a strapping element, etc., is connected to a lower end of the elongate support member via a pulley system for supporting the user's arms and/or legs. The pulley system comprises a first pulley connected to the lower end of the elongate support member, and a cable rollably attached to the first pulley. The frame member is rigidly attached to the elongate support member. The lateral arm supports are rigidly attached on opposing sides of the frame member. The lateral arm supports extend outwardly from the frame member for supporting the user's arms. The user utilizes the exercise attachment and/or the lateral arm supports for performing an exercise.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application of non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 12/940,113 titled “Exercise Apparatus”, filed on Nov. 5, 2010 in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, which claims the benefit of provisional patent application No. 61/323,453 titled “Exercise Apparatus”, filed on Apr. 13, 2010 in the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
The specifications of the above referenced applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

A conventional exercise apparatus typically comprises a fixture that needs to be fixed in a specified location to ensure its proper usage. Typical exercise apparatuses housed in fitness centers, fitness clubs, and other gym recreation rooms, etc., are heavy, immobile, occupy large spaces, and are inconvenient to manage and use.
Moreover, the design of a conventional exercise apparatus limits the use of the exercise apparatus to persons in a certain height range. There is a need for an exercise apparatus that can be used with minimal effort, and which by its inherent design ensures universal accessibility to different persons and different requirements such as height requirements, space usage requirements, and other physical requirements. Furthermore, there is a need for an exercise apparatus that can be easily installed and uninstalled in any convenient location as desired by a user to allow the user to perform different types of exercises.
Hence, there is a long felt but unresolved need for an exercise apparatus that is portable, easily installed and uninstalled in any desired location, and customizable for enabling a user of any height to perform different types of exercises.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
The exercise apparatus disclosed herein addresses the above stated need for a portable, easily installable, detachable, and customizable apparatus that enables a user of any height to perform different types of exercises. The exercise apparatus disclosed herein comprises a clamping assembly, one or more adjustment plates, one or more pivot plates, and a weight bearing assembly. The clamping assembly comprises, for example, at least two claw members, namely a first claw member and a second claw member. Each of the claw members comprises a vertical web and two or more horizontal flanges. The horizontal flanges extend from a first surface of the vertical web. The horizontal flanges of the claw members are detachably clamped to opposing sides of a support structure, for example, an I-beam, for accommodating the support structure. The adjustment plates are rigidly attached to a second surface of the vertical web of the first claw member of the clamping assembly. The adjustment plates extend outwardly and perpendicularly from the second surface of the vertical web of the first claw member. The adjustment plates comprise apertures for enabling positional adjustment of the weight bearing assembly. The pivot plates are rigidly attached to the second surface of the vertical web of the second claw member of the clamping assembly. The pivot plates extend outwardly and perpendicularly from the second surface of the vertical web of the second claw member of the clamping assembly.
The weight bearing assembly comprises a leg member, a support frame, and one or more gripping handles. The leg member has a first end, a middle section, and a second end. The first end of the leg member is pivotally connected to the pivot plates in a space defined between the pivot plates. The middle section of the leg member is detachably connected to the adjustment plates in a space defined between the adjustment plates. The second end of the leg member is rigidly attached to a base of the support frame. The leg member is accommodated in the space defined between each of a pair of pivot plates and a pair of adjustment plates. The exercise apparatus further comprises an adjustment fastener coaxially aligned with the apertures of the adjustment plates and inserted into the apertures of the adjustment plates for enabling positional adjustment of the weight bearing assembly. The leg member is positionally adjusted by inserting the adjustment fastener in selected apertures of the adjustment plates.
The support frame rigidly supports the gripping handles of the weight bearing assembly. The support frame comprises lateral arms extending outwardly from the base of the support frame. The gripping handles are held by a user for performing pull up exercises. In an embodiment, the gripping handles comprise a pair of gripping bars. The gripping bars are rigidly attached to the ends of the lateral arms of the support frame. In another embodiment, the gripping handles further comprise an elongated rod rigidly attached within the support frame. The lateral arms of the support frame comprise openings for inserting the elongated rod within a space defined by the lateral arms and the base of the support frame. The user grips and pulls the gripping handles against a force of gravity for performing the exercises. In an embodiment, the gripping handles are coated with a gripping material for providing an improved grip to the user.
In an embodiment, the weight bearing assembly further comprises a pulley, a cable having a first end and a second end, and one or more weights. The pulley is rigidly attached to a bottom surface of the leg member of the weight bearing assembly. The cable is rollably attached to and disposed within the pulley. The first end of the cable bears the weights. The second end of the cable is removably attached to the user. The weights at the first end of the cable counterbalance the user's weight at the second end of the cable, when the user performs exercises.
The exercise apparatus disclosed herein further comprises an elongate support member, an exercise attachment, a frame member, and lateral arm supports. The elongate support member is removably attached to the support frame of the weight bearing assembly of the exercise apparatus. A flange is defined on an upper end of the elongate support member for removably attaching the elongate support member to the support frame of the weight bearing assembly. The exercise attachment is connected to a lower end of the elongate support member via a pulley system for supporting the user's arms and/or legs. In an embodiment, the exercise attachment is a rod member connected to the lower end of the elongate support member via the pulley system. The rod member supports the user's arms or legs when the user performs the exercise. In another embodiment, the exercise attachment is a strapping element, for example, a foot strap, connected to the lower end of the elongate support member via the pulley system. The user wears the strapping element that grips the user's arms or legs when the user performs the exercise.
A section of the elongate support member is rearwardly angulated for accommodating the pulley system. The pulley system comprises a first pulley and the cable. The first pulley is connected to the lower end of the elongate support member. The cable is rollably attached to and disposed within the first pulley. The cable extends from a second pulley rigidly attached to the leg member of the weight bearing assembly. The first end of the cable bears one or more weights. The second end of the cable is detachably connected to the exercise attachment. The weights at the first end of the cable counterbalance the weight of the user's arms or legs supported on the exercise attachment via the second pulley and the first pulley.
The frame member is rigidly attached to a front surface of the elongate support member via one or more attachment plates. The attachment plates comprise apertures for rigidly attaching the frame member to the elongate support member using fasteners. The lateral arm supports are rigidly attached on opposing sides of the frame member via one or more attachment plates and fasteners. The lateral arm supports extend outwardly from the frame member for supporting the user's arms. The user utilizes one or more of the gripping handles of the weight bearing assembly, the exercise attachment, and the lateral arm supports for performing one or more exercises.
The exercise apparatus disclosed herein further comprises gripping bars connected to the lateral arm supports. The gripping bars extend upwardly from the lateral arm supports for providing a grip to the user's arms when the user performs the exercises. The exercise apparatus disclosed herein further comprises arm pads and a back pad. The arm pads are disposed on the lateral arm supports for cushioning the user's arms when the user performs the exercises. In an embodiment, each of the lateral arm supports comprises a ribbed tray for accommodating the arm pads that cushion the user's arms when the user performs the exercises. The back pad is rigidly attached to a front surface of the frame member for supporting the user's back when the user performs the exercises.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, exemplary constructions of the invention are shown in the drawings. However, the invention is not limited to the specific components and methods disclosed herein.

FIGS. 1A-1B exemplarily illustrate perspective views of an exercise apparatus.

FIG. 2 exemplarily illustrates a top orthogonal view of the exercise apparatus.

FIG. 3 exemplarily illustrates a side orthogonal view of the exercise apparatus.

FIG. 4 exemplarily illustrates an exploded view of the exercise apparatus.

FIG. 5 exemplarily illustrates an exploded view of a clamping assembly of the exercise apparatus, showing two adjustment plates and two pivot plates connected to the claw members of the clamping assembly.

FIG. 6 exemplarily illustrates an exploded view of a leg member of a weight bearing assembly of the exercise apparatus.

FIG. 7 exemplarily illustrates an exploded view of a support frame of the weight bearing assembly of the exercise apparatus, showing gripping bars extending outwardly from the ends of lateral arms of the support frame.

FIG. 8 exemplarily illustrates an exploded view of a support frame of the weight bearing assembly of the exercise apparatus, showing the gripping bars and an elongated rod used for performing exercises by a user.

FIG. 9 exemplarily illustrates the exercise apparatus detachably attached to a support structure.

FIG. 10 exemplarily illustrates positional adjustment of the leg member of the weight bearing assembly of the exercise apparatus.

FIG. 11 illustrates a method for detachably attaching an exercise apparatus to a support structure and performing exercises by a user.

FIG. 12 illustrates a method for assembling an exercise apparatus.

FIG. 13 exemplarily illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the exercise apparatus.

FIG. 14 exemplarily illustrates a side orthogonal view of the embodiment of the exercise apparatus.

FIG. 15 exemplarily illustrates an exploded view of the embodiment of the exercise apparatus, showing an elongate support member, a pulley, attachment plates, and a frame member.

FIG. 16 exemplarily illustrates a partial isometric view of the embodiment of the exercise apparatus, showing the elongate support member attached to the support frame.

FIG. 17 exemplarily illustrates an exploded view of the embodiment of the exercise apparatus, showing the frame member and lateral arm supports.

FIG. 18 exemplarily illustrates an exploded view of the embodiment of the exercise apparatus, showing the frame member and a back pad.

FIG. 19 exemplarily illustrates a perspective view of the exercise apparatus detachably attached to a support structure.

FIG. 20 illustrates a method for assembling and detachably attaching an exercise apparatus to a support frame.

FIG. 21 illustrates a method for assembling an exercise apparatus for performing one or more exercises.

FIGS. 22A-22C exemplarily illustrate utilization of the exercise apparatus by a user for performing one or more exercises.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1A-1B exemplarily illustrate perspective views of an exercise apparatus 100. The exercise apparatus 100 disclosed herein comprises a clamping assembly 101, one or more adjustment plates 105, one or more pivot plates 106, and a weight bearing assembly 107. The clamping assembly 101 comprises claw members 102 a and 102 b. As exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1B, FIGS. 2-5, and FIGS. 9-10, the clamping assembly 101 comprises at least two claw members 102 a and 102 b, namely a first claw member 102 a and a second claw member 102 b. Each of the claw members 102 a and 102 b comprises a vertical web 103 and two or more horizontal flanges 104. The horizontal flanges 104 extend from a first surface 103 a of the vertical web 103. The horizontal flanges 104 of the claw members 102 a and 102 b are, for example, welded on the first surface 103 a of the vertical web 103. The horizontal flanges 104 of the claw members 102 a and 102 b are detachably clamped on opposing sides 128 a and 128 b of a support structure 128, for example, an I-beam or other beam structures of roofs, basements, doors, etc., as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 9. In an embodiment, the horizontal flanges 104 of the claw members 102 a and 102 b detachably attach to the support structure 128, for example, by bolts 118, anchor nut screws, etc. The clamped claw members 102 a and 102 b of the clamping assembly 101 accommodate the support structure 128. The claw members 102 a and 102 b are made of high strength materials, for example, alloys of steel, alloys of aluminum, etc.
As exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1B, FIGS. 2-5, and FIGS. 9-10, the exercise apparatus 100 disclosed herein comprises at least two adjustment plates 105. The adjustment plates 105 of the exercise apparatus 100 disclosed herein are rigidly attached to a second surface 103 b of the vertical web 103 of the first claw member 102 a of the clamping assembly 101, for example, by a weld, a lock and key joint, etc. The adjustment plates 105 extend outwardly and perpendicularly from the second surface 103 b of the vertical web 103 of the first claw member 102 a. The adjustment plates 105 are made of high strength materials, for example, alloys of steel, alloys of aluminum, wood, etc. The adjustment plates 105 comprise apertures 105 a for enabling positional adjustment of the weight bearing assembly 107.
As exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 1B, FIG. 2, and FIG. 5, the exercise apparatus 100 disclosed herein comprises at least two pivot plates 106. The pivot plates 106 are rigidly attached to the second surface 103 b of the vertical web 103 of the second claw member 102 b of the clamping assembly 101, for example, by a weld, a lock and key joint, etc. The pivot plates 106 extend outwardly and perpendicularly from the second surface 103 b of the vertical web 103 of the second claw member 102 b. The pivot plates 106 are made of high strength materials, for example, alloys of steel, alloys of aluminum, wood, etc. Each of the pivot plates 106 comprises a pivot aperture 106 a. A pivoting axis 106 b centrally passes through the pivot aperture 106 a of each of the pivot plates 106. The weight bearing assembly 107 rotates about the pivoting axis 106 b to adjust the position, for example, the vertical height, of the weight bearing assembly 107.
The weight bearing assembly 107 comprises a leg member 108, a support frame 109, and one or more gripping handles 110. The leg member 108 is rigidly attached to the support frame 109, for example, by a weld, bolts 119, rivets, etc. The leg member 108 has a first end 108 a, a middle section 108 b, and a second end 108 c. The first end 108 a of the leg member 108 is pivotally connected to the pivot plates 106 in a space 106 c defined between the pivot plates 106. The middle section 108 b of the leg member 108 is detachably connected to the adjustment plates 105 in a space 105 b defined between the adjustment plates 105. The second end 108 c of the leg member 108 is rigidly attached to a base 111 of the support frame 109.
As exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1B, FIGS. 2-4, and FIGS. 9-10, the leg member 108 is supported and disposed between two pivot plates 106 and two adjustment plates 105. The leg member 108 is pivotally connected to the pivot plates 106 via the pivot aperture 106 a of the pivot plates 106, for example, by a pin, a bolt, a split pin, a pivot sleeve 127 a and a pivot sleeve cap screw 127 c, etc. The leg member 108 is also detachably connected to the adjustment plates 105 via a set of opposing apertures 105 a of the adjustment plates 105 by an adjustment fastener 115, for example, a pull out pin. The leg member 108 is selectively connected to the opposing apertures 105 a of the adjustment plates 105 to adjust the position of the weight bearing assembly 107.
The exercise apparatus 100 disclosed herein further comprises the adjustment fastener 115 coaxially aligned with and inserted into the apertures 105 a of the adjustment plates 105 for enabling positional adjustment of the weight bearing assembly 107. The leg member 108 is positionally adjusted by inserting the adjustment fastener 115 in selected apertures 105 a of the adjustment plates 105 as exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1B, FIGS. 3-4, and FIGS. 9-10. The leg member 108 is accommodated in the space 106 c and 105 b defined between a pair of pivot plates 106 and a pair of adjustment plates 105 respectively. The weight bearing assembly 107 is made of high strength materials, for example, alloys of steel, alloys of aluminum, carbon fiber composites, etc. The weight bearing assembly 107 rotates about the pivoting axis 106 b for adjusting the position of the weight bearing assembly 107.
The support frame 109 of the weight bearing assembly 107 rigidly supports the gripping handles 110 of the weight bearing assembly 107. The support frame 109 comprises lateral arms 112 extending outwardly from a base 111 of the support frame 109. The gripping handles 110 of the weight bearing assembly 107 are held by a user for performing exercises, for example, pull up exercises. In an embodiment as exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1B, FIG. 2, FIG. 4, and FIGS. 7-9, the gripping handles 110 comprise a pair of gripping bars 113. The gripping bars 113 are rigidly attached to the ends 112 a of the lateral arms 112 of the support frame 109, for example, by a weld, bolts 125, etc. The gripping bars 113 extend outwardly from the lateral arms 112 of the support frame 109. In an embodiment, the gripping bars 113 extend inwardly from the support frame 109.
In an embodiment as exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1B, FIG. 2, FIG. 4, and FIGS. 8-9, the gripping handles 110 comprise an elongated rod 114. The elongated rod 114 is rigidly attached within the support frame 109, for example, by a fastening screw 126, etc. The lateral arms 112 of the support frame 109 comprise openings 112 b and 112 c for inserting the elongated rod 114 within a space 109 a defined by the lateral arms 112 and the base 111 of the support frame 109. The user can hold the gripping bars 113 and/or the elongated rod 114 for performing pull up exercises. In an embodiment, the gripping handles 110 are coated with a gripping material, for example, a form of plastic, synthetic rubber, etc., for providing an improved grip to the user. In another embodiment, the gripping handles 110 are manufactured with a gripping surface such as a cross hatching, a knurled surface, etc., for providing an improved grip to the user. In an embodiment, a pulley 117 is rigidly attached to the leg member 108 of the weight bearing assembly 107 as disclosed in the detailed description of FIG. 3.
FIG. 2 exemplarily illustrates a top orthogonal view of the exercise apparatus 100. The claw members 102 a and 102 b of the clamping assembly 101 are clamped around a support structure 128 and connected using fasteners, for example, bolts 118 to rigidly accommodate the support structure 128 as disclosed in the detailed description of FIG. 5. The leg member 108 of the weight bearing assembly 107 is supported and disposed between two pivot plates 106 and two adjustment plates 105. The leg member 108 of the weight bearing assembly 107 is adjusted using the adjustment plates 105. The exercise apparatus 100 has a clamshell design and bolts to the support structure 128.
FIG. 3 exemplarily illustrates a side orthogonal view of the exercise apparatus 100. FIG. 3 illustrates the claw members 102 a and 102 b of the clamping assembly 101 in a clamped position. The clamping assembly 101, the adjustable plates 105, the pivot plates 106, and the weight bearing assembly 107 are disclosed in the detailed description of FIGS. 1A-1B. In an embodiment, the weight bearing assembly 107 further comprises a pulley 117 and a cable 122. The pulley 117 is rigidly attached to, for example, a bottom surface 108 d of the leg member 108 of the weight bearing assembly 107. The cable 122, for example, a cord, a rope, a thick metal wire, etc., has a first end 122 a and a second end 122 b. The cable 122 is rollably attached to and disposed within the pulley 117. The first end 122 a of the cable 122 bears one or more weights 123. The weights 123 are, for example, calibrated weights, sand bags, etc. The second end 122 b of the cable 122 is removably attached, for example, to a belt (not shown) of a user performing an exercise. The weights 123 at the first end 122 a of the cable 122 counterbalance the user's weight at the second end 122 b of the cable 122, thereby reducing work done by the user to perform pull up exercises. In an embodiment, a belt (not shown) is detachably attached to the second end 122 b of the cable 122. The belt is worn around the user's waist. The number of weights 123 to be added depends on the exercise requirements of the user. The user therefore performs exercises using the exercise apparatus 100.
FIG. 4 exemplarily illustrates an exploded view of the exercise apparatus 100. The exploded view in FIG. 4 illustrates the fasteners 118 used for connecting the clamping assembly 101 around a support structure 128, and the fasteners 127 a, 127 c, and 115 for connecting the weight bearing assembly 107 to the pivot plates 106 and the adjustment plates 105 via the leg member 108. The leg member 108 is pivotally connected to the pivot plates 106 via the pivot sleeve 127 a and the pivot sleeve cap screw 127 c through the edge 127 b and detachably connected to the adjustment plates 105 via the adjustment fastener 115. The exploded view in FIG. 4 also illustrates the fasteners 119 and 121 used for connecting the leg member 108 to the support frame 109, and the fasteners 125 and 126 for connecting the gripping handles 110 to the support frame 109. The different fasteners 118 used in the exercise apparatus 100 are disclosed in the detailed description of FIGS. 5-8.
FIG. 5 exemplarily illustrates an exploded view of a clamping assembly 101 of the exercise apparatus 100, showing two adjustment plates 105 and two pivot plates 106 connected to the claw members 102 a and 102 b of the clamping assembly 101. The adjustment plates 105 are rigidly attached to the second surface 103 b of the first claw member 102 a. Each of the adjustment plates 105 comprises apertures 105 a for enabling positional adjustment of the weight bearing assembly 107 by inserting an adjustment fastener 115, for example, a pin, bolt, etc., into selective opposing apertures 105 a of the adjustment plates 105. The pivot plates 106 are rigidly attached to the second surface 103 b of the second claw member 102 b. Each of the pivot plates 106 comprises a pivot aperture 106 a. The leg member 108 of the weight bearing assembly 107 is pivotally connected to the pivot plates 106 using, for example, a pivot sleeve 127 a and a pivot sleeve cap screw 127 c. The pivot sleeve 127 a is inserted into the pivot aperture 106 a of a pivot plate 106, through the leg member 108, and into the pivot aperture 106 a of the other pivot plate 106. The pivot sleeve cap screw 127 c is then inserted at the edge 127 b of the pivot sleeve 127 a to fasten the leg member 108 to the pivot plates 106 in a pivotal connection. The claw members 102 a and 102 b of the clamping assembly 101 are clamped and fastened at the top surface 101 a and the bottom surface 101 b of the claw members 102 a and 102 b around a support structure 128, for example, using bolts 118. The bolts 118 fit axially into slots 102 c and 102 d provided on the top surface 101 a and the bottom surface 101 b of the claw members 102 a and 102 b.
FIG. 6 exemplarily illustrates an exploded view of a leg member 108 of a weight bearing assembly 107 of the exercise apparatus 100. The leg member 108 is a load bearing member that bears the weight of the user when the user performs exercises. The leg member 108 is pivotally connected to the pivot plates 106, for example, using a pivot sleeve 127 a and a pivot sleeve cap screw 127 c as disclosed in the detailed description of FIG. 5. The adjustment fastener 115 is used to positionally adjust the leg member 108 between the adjustment plates 105. In an embodiment, a pulley 117 is rigidly attached to the bottom surface 108 d of the leg member 108. Pulley hooks 117 a are rigidly attached to the bottom surface 108 d of the leg member 108 for accommodating a pulley wheel 117 b. The pulley 117 comprises the pulley wheel 117 b and a pulley pin 117 c. The pulley wheel 117 b is accommodated between two opposing pulley hooks 117 a extending from the bottom surface 108 d of the leg member 108 and rotatably fastened between the two opposing pulley hooks 117 a via the pulley pin 117 c. The leg member 108 is rigidly attached to the base 111 of the support frame 109 via a base plate 116 using fasteners, for example, lock nuts 121 and bolts 119 through washers 120.
FIG. 7 exemplarily illustrates an exploded view of a support frame 109 of the weight bearing assembly 107 of the exercise apparatus 100, showing gripping bars 113 extending outwardly from the ends 112 a of the lateral arms 112 of the support frame 109. The support frame 109 comprises lateral arms 112 extending outwardly from a base 111 of the support frame 109. The base 111 of the support frame 109 is rigidly attached to the leg member 108 via a base plate 116 using fasteners, for example, lock nuts 121 and bolts 119 through washers 120. The gripping bars 113 are rigidly attached to the ends 112 a of the lateral arms 112, for example, using bolts 125 and washers 124. A user grips and pulls the gripping bars 113 for performing pull exercises.
FIG. 8 exemplarily illustrates an exploded view of a support frame 109 of the weight bearing assembly 107, showing the gripping bars 113 and an elongated rod 114 used for performing exercises by a user. In an embodiment, the ends 112 a of the lateral arms 112 of the support frame 109 comprise cylindrical openings 112 b and 112 c for inserting the elongated rod 114 in the support frame 109. The elongated rod 114 is a solid cylindrical structure made of, for example, steel, etc. The elongated rod 114 is inserted through a cylindrical opening 112 b on one of the lateral arms 112 of the support frame 109 to the other cylindrical opening 112 c on the other lateral arm 112 of the support frame 109. The elongated rod 114 is then fastened at the other cylindrical opening 112 c, for example, using a fastening screw 126. The user grips and pulls the elongated rod 114 for performing pull exercises.
FIG. 9 exemplarily illustrates the exercise apparatus 100 detachably attached to a support structure 128, for example, an I-beam or other beam structures of roofs, basements, doors, etc. The horizontal flanges 104 of the claw members 102 a and 102 b of the clamping assembly 101 clamp the support structure 128 and are fastened around the support structure 128 using, for example, bolts 118. The bolts 118 fit axially into slots 102 c and 102 d provided on the top surface 101 a and the bottom surface 101 b of the claw members 102 a and 102 b.
FIG. 10 exemplarily illustrates positional adjustment of the leg member 108 of the weight bearing assembly 107 of the exercise apparatus 100. In the exercise apparatus 100 disclosed herein, the first end 108 a of the leg member 108 is pivotally connected about the pivot apertures 106 a of the pivot plates 106 in the space 106 c defined between the pivot plates 106. The direction of rotation of the leg member 108 is exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 10. The leg member 108 of the weight bearing assembly 107 rotates about the pivoting axis 106 b to adjust the position, for example, the vertical height, of the weight bearing assembly 107. A user can increase the vertical height of the weight bearing assembly 107 by pulling out the adjustment fastener 115 from opposing apertures 105 a corresponding to a first position, rotating the leg member 108 from the first position to a desired position about the pivoting axis 106 b, and then re-inserting the adjustment fastener 115 into selected opposing apertures 105 a corresponding to the desired position.
FIG. 11 illustrates a method for detachably attaching an exercise apparatus 100 to a support structure 128 and performing exercises by a user. The exercise apparatus 100 comprising a clamping assembly 101, one or more adjustment plates 105, one or more pivot plates 106, and a weight bearing assembly 107, as disclosed in the detailed description of FIGS. 1A-1B and FIGS. 2-10, is provided 1101. The horizontal flanges 104 of the claw members 102 a and 102 b of the clamping assembly 101 are detachably clamped 1102 around opposing sides 128 a and 128 b of the support structure 128 for accommodating the support structure 128 as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 9. The leg member 108 of the weight bearing assembly 107 is positionally adjusted 1103 at one of different heights by rotating the leg member 108 about a pivoting axis 106 b passing through a pivot aperture 106 a of each of the pivot plates 106, and inserting an adjustment fastener 115 in selected apertures 105 a of the adjustment plates 105 as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 10. The gripping handles 110 are gripped and pulled 1104 against a force of gravity by the user for performing exercises, for example, pull up exercises. In an embodiment, a pulley 117 is rigidly attached 1105 to the leg member 108 of the weight bearing assembly 107 and a cable 122 is rollably attached 1106 to the pulley 117. The user removably attaches 1107 one or more weights 123 to the first end 122 a of the cable 122. The user then removably attaches 1108 the second end 122 b of the cable 122 to a belt positioned around the user's waist. The weights 123, for example, calibrated weights, sand bags, etc., at the first end 122 a of the cable 122 counterbalance the user's weight at the second end 122 b of the cable 122.
FIG. 12 illustrates a method for assembling an exercise apparatus 100. A clamping assembly 101 comprising claw members 102 a and 102 b, one or more adjustment plates 105, one or more pivot plates 106, and a weight bearing assembly 107 is provided 1201. The adjustment plates 105 are rigidly attached 1202 to a second surface 103 b of the vertical web 103 of a first claw member 102 a of the clamping assembly 101. The adjustment plates 105 extend outwardly and perpendicularly from the second surface 103 b of the vertical web 103 of the first claw member 102 a. The pivot plates 106 are rigidly attached 1203 to the second surface 103 b of the vertical web 103 of the second claw member 102 b of the clamping assembly 101. The pivot plates 106 extend outwardly and perpendicularly from the second surface 103 b of the vertical web 103 of the second claw member 102 b. The first end 108 a of the leg member 108 of the weight bearing assembly 107 is pivotally connected 1204 in the space 106 c defined between the pivot plates 106, for example, using a pivot sleeve 127 a and a pivot sleeve cap screw 127 c. The middle section 108 b of the leg member 108 of the weight bearing assembly 107 is detachably connected 1205 in the space 105 b defined between the adjustment plates 105, for example, by the adjustment fastener 115. The second end 108 c of the leg member 108 of the weight bearing assembly 107 is rigidly attached 1206 to the support frame 109.
The gripping handles 110 are rigidly attached 1207 to the support frame 109. For example, the gripping bars 113 are rigidly attached to the ends 112 a of the lateral arms 112 of the support frame 109. An elongated rod 114 can also be inserted into openings 112 b and 112 c defined on the ends 112 a of the lateral arms 112 of the support frame 109 and disposed within the space 109 a defined by the support frame 109. A pulley 117 is rigidly attached 1208 to the leg member 108 of the weight bearing assembly 107. A cable 122, for example, a cord, a rope, a thick metal wire, etc., is rollably attached 1209 to the pulley 117, where the first end 122 a of the cable 122 bears one or more weights 123, and the second end 122 b of the cable 122 is removably attachable to a user.
Consider an example where a user performs exercises using the exercise apparatus 100 disclosed herein. The exercise apparatus 100 is detachably attached, for example, by bolts 118, countersunk bolts, etc., to a support structure 128, for example, an I-beam of a ceiling. The user adjusts the position of the weight bearing assembly 107 to one of different heights by rotating the weight bearing assembly 107 about the pivoting axis 106 b and selectively connecting the leg member 108 of the weight bearing assembly 107 to opposing apertures 105 a of the adjustment plates 105 using the adjustment fastener 115. The position of the weight bearing assembly 107 is selected based on preferences of the user. The user attaches the first end 122 a of the cable 122 disposed within the pulley 117 to one or more weights 123. The user then attaches the second end 122 b of the cable 122 around the user's waist. The weights 123, for example, calibrated weights, sand bags, etc., at the first end 122 a of the cable 122 counterbalance the user's weight at the second end 122 b of the cable 122, thereby reducing work done by the user to perform pull up exercises. The user now holds the gripping handles 110 and pulls upwards against the force of gravity to perform pull up exercises.
The exercise apparatus 100 disclosed herein allows the user to perform the pull up exercises repeatedly in an uninhibited motion, where the user has adequate clearances in multiple directions. The exercise apparatus 100 disclosed herein also enables a beginner to complete a full range of motion with the assistance of the weights 123 that counterbalance the user's weight via the pulley 117 until the beginner is strong enough to perform the pull up exercises without assistance. Furthermore, seasoned athletes can use the weights 123 that counterbalance their weight via the pulley 117 to perform negative repetitions, when the athletes have pushed themselves past a point of exhaustion.
FIG. 13 exemplarily illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the exercise apparatus 100. In this embodiment, the exercise apparatus 100 disclosed herein further comprises an elongate support member 1301, an exercise attachment 1304, a frame member 1306, and lateral arm supports 1307. The elongate support member 1301 is removably attached to the support frame 109 of the weight bearing assembly 107 of the exercise apparatus 100 as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 19. The elongate support member 1301 is a solid structure and is made, for example, of steel. A flange 1311 is defined on an upper end 1301 b of the elongate support member 1301 for removably attaching the elongate support member 1301 to the support frame 109 of the weight bearing assembly 107, for example, by a fastener 1310 such as a bolt, a connecting screw, etc.
A section 1302 of the elongate support member 1301 is rearwardly angulated for accommodating a pulley system 1309 as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 19. The pulley system 1309 comprises a first pulley 1308 and the cable 122. The first pulley 1308 is connected to a lower end 1301 c of the elongate support member 1301. The cable 122 is rollably attached to and disposed within the first pulley 1308.
The exercise attachment 1304 is connected to the lower end 1301 c of the elongate support member 1301 via the pulley system 1309 for supporting the user's arms and/or legs. The exercise attachment 1304 is connected to the second end 122 b of the cable 122 of the pulley system 1309, for example, via a hook 1303. In an embodiment, the exercise attachment 1304 is a rod member 1305 connected to the lower end 1301 c of the elongate support member 1301 via the pulley system 1309. The rod member 1305 supports the user's arms or legs when the user performs an exercise. The rod member 1305 is, for example, a solid cylindrical structure made of steel. For purposes of illustration, the detailed description refers to the rod member 1305 as the exercise attachment 1304 for enabling the user to perform an exercise, for example, arm curls; however the exercise apparatus 100 disclosed herein is not limited to the rod member 1305, but may be extended to include any exercise attachment 1304, for example, a strapping element 1322 such as a foot strap as exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 22B-22C, an arm strap, etc., that enables the user to perform any exercise, for example, leg curls, leg lifts, arm curls, etc.
The frame member 1306 is rigidly attached to a front surface 1301 a of the elongate support member 1301. The frame member 1306 is, for example, made of steel. The frame member 1306 supports the user's back and supports the weight of the user's body when the user performs an exercise. In an embodiment, a back pad 1314 is rigidly attached to a front surface 1306 c of the frame member 1306 for supporting the user's back when the user performs the exercise.
The lateral arm supports 1307 are rigidly attached on opposing sides 1306 a and 1306 b of the frame member 1306. The lateral arm supports 1307 extend outwardly from the frame member 1306 for supporting the user's arms. The lateral arm supports 1307 comprise an upper arm support 1307 a and a lower arm support 1307 b as disclosed in the detailed description of FIG. 17. The exercise apparatus 100 disclosed herein further comprises gripping bars 1312 connected to the lateral arm supports 1307. The gripping bars 1312 extend upwardly and perpendicularly from the lateral arm supports 1307 for providing a grip to the user's arms when the user performs one or more exercises. The gripping bars 1312 are, for example, knurled, to establish suitable surface contact with the user's hands. In an embodiment, arm pads 1313 are disposed on the lateral arm supports 1307 for cushioning the user's arms when the user performs the exercise. The arm pads 1313 are made of, for example, a spongy material that cushions and protects the user's arms. The user utilizes the lateral arm supports 1307 and/or the rod member 1305 for obtaining a grip and performing one or more exercises.
FIG. 14 exemplarily illustrates a side orthogonal view of the embodiment of the exercise apparatus 100. In the exercise apparatus 100 disclosed herein, the frame member 1306 is rigidly attached to the elongate support member 1301. The lateral arm supports 1307 are rigidly attached on opposing sides 1306 a and 1306 b of the frame member 1306 via attachment plates 1315 a and 1315 b. The attachment plates 1315, that is, 1315 a and 1315 b are connected on the ends 1307 c and 1307 d of the lateral arm supports 1307 as disclosed in the detailed description of FIG. 17. The connected attachment plates 1315 are positioned on opposing sides 1306 a and 1306 b of the frame member 1306 and fastened, for example, using fasteners 1318 a and 1318 b as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 17. The lateral arm supports 1307 extend outwardly from the frame member 1306 for supporting the user's arms when the user performs one or more exercises.
FIG. 15 exemplarily illustrates an exploded view of the embodiment of the exercise apparatus 100, showing the elongate support member 1301, the first pulley 1308, attachment plates 1316, and the frame member 1306. The frame member 1306 is rigidly attached to the elongate support member 1301 via the attachment plates 1316. The attachment plates 1316 comprise apertures 1316 a for rigidly attaching the frame member 1306 to the elongate support member 1301 using fasteners 1317 such as bolts. The flange 1311 defined on the upper end 1301 b of the elongate support member 1301 removably attaches the elongate support member 1301 to the support frame 109 of the weight bearing assembly 107 via the fastener 1310 as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 16 and FIG. 19. The first pulley 1308 is connected to the lower end 1301 c of the elongate support member 1301 via a pulley pin 1308 a.
FIG. 16 exemplarily illustrates a partial isometric view of the embodiment of the exercise apparatus 100, showing the elongate support member 1301 attached to the support frame 109. The flange 1311 defined on the upper end 1301 b of the elongate support member 1301 is attached to the support frame 109, for example, using the fastener 1310. The elongate support member 1301 can be removed from the support frame 109 by unfastening the fastener 1310 and detaching the elongate support member 1301 from the exercise apparatus 100. The user can then perform exercises using the gripping handles 110 of the weight bearing assembly 107 as disclosed in the detailed description of FIGS. 1A-1B.
FIG. 17 exemplarily illustrates an exploded view of the embodiment of the exercise apparatus 100, showing the frame member 1306 and the lateral arm supports 1307. The lateral arm supports 1307 are rigidly attached on opposing sides 1306 a and 1306 b of the frame member 1306, for example, by fasteners 1318 a and 1318 b. The exercise apparatus 100 disclosed herein further comprises one or more attachment plates 1315 for rigidly attaching the lateral arm supports 1307 to the opposing sides 1306 a and 1306 b of the frame member 1306 using the fasteners 1318 a and 1318 b. The lateral arm supports 1307 extend outwardly from the frame member 1306 for supporting the user's arms when the user performs the exercise. The lateral arm supports 1307 are made of high tensile strength materials, for example, steel, etc.
Each of the lateral arm supports 1307 comprises an upper arm support 1307 a and a lower arm support 1307 b. Attachment plates 1315 b and 1315 c are connected to the ends 1307 d and 1307 e respectively of each lower arm support 1307 b. The attachment plate 1315 b at the end 1307 d of the lower arm support 1307 b is rigidly connected to the frame member 1306 via the fasteners 1318 b. The other attachment plate 1315 c at the other end 1307 e of the lower arm support 1307 b is rigidly connected to the upper arm support 1307 a via the fasteners 1319.
Each upper arm support 1307 a comprises a ribbed tray 1320 for accommodating an arm pad 1313. The arm pad 1313 on each of the lateral arm supports 1307 cushion the user's arms when the user performs one or more exercises. A gripping bar 1312 is connected to one end 1307 f of the upper arm support 1307 a, while an attachment plate 1315 a is connected to the other end 1307 c of the upper arm support 1307 a. The attachment plate 1315 a connected to the other end 1307 c of the upper arm support 1307 a rigidly attaches the upper arm support 1307 a to the frame member 1306, for example, using fasteners 1318 a. The gripping bars 1312 connected to the upper arm supports 1307 a extend upwardly and provide a grip to the user when the user's performs one or more exercises.
FIG. 18 exemplarily illustrates an exploded view of the embodiment of the exercise apparatus 100, showing the frame member 1306 and the back pad 1314. The back pad 1314 is rigidly attached to the front surface 1306 c of the frame member 1306 using fasteners 1321, for supporting the user's back when the user performs one or more exercises. The back pad 1314 is made of a soft, spongy material that protects and cushions the user's back when the user performs the exercise. The back pad 1314 prevents strain on the user's back that would occur if the user performs the exercise by resting the user's back directly against the frame member 1306.
FIG. 19 exemplarily illustrates a perspective view of the exercise apparatus 100 attached to the support structure 128. The claw members 102 a and 102 b of the clamping assembly 101 of the exercise apparatus 100 are detachably clamped to the support structure 128, for example, an I-beam. The leg member 108 of the weight bearing assembly 107 of the exercise apparatus 100 is connected to the pivot plates 106 and the adjustment plates 105 as disclosed in the detailed description of FIGS. 1A-1B. The leg member 108 is rigidly attached to the support frame 109, for example, by a weld, bolts 119, rivets, etc. The flange 1311 defined on the upper end 1301 b of the elongate support member 1301 is removably attached to the support frame 109 of the weight bearing assembly 107 using the fastener 1310. The elongate support member 1301 that rigidly supports the frame member 1306 is rigidly suspended from the support frame 109 via the flange 1311.
The exercise attachment 1304 herein, for example, the rod member 1305 is connected to the lower end 1301 c of the elongate support member 1301 via the pulley system 1309.The pulley system 1309 comprises the first pulley 1308 and the cable 122. The pulley system 1309 further comprises the second pulley 117 rigidly attached to the leg member 108 of the weight bearing assembly 107. The first pulley 1308 is connected to the lower end 1301 c of the elongate support member 1301. The cable 122 is rollably attached to and disposed within the first pulley 1308. The cable 122 extends from the second pulley 117 rigidly attached to the leg member 108 of the weight bearing assembly 107. The first end 122 a of the cable 122 bears one or more weights 123. The second end 122 b of the cable 122 is detachably connected to the rod member 1305, for example, via a hook 1303. The cable 122 extends from the weights 123 at the first end 122 a of the cable 122, rolls over the second pulley 117, and then rolls over the first pulley 1308, to reach the rod member 1305 at its second end 122 b. The user utilizes the rod member 1305 for performing one or more exercises. The weights 123 at the first end 122 a of the cable 122 counterbalance the weight of the user's arms or legs supported on the rod member 1305 via the second pulley 117 and the first pulley 1308, when the user performs the exercises.
FIG. 20 illustrates a method for assembling and detachably attaching an exercise apparatus 100 to a support frame 109. An exercise apparatus 100 comprising an elongate support member 1301, an exercise attachment 1304, a frame member 1306, and lateral arm supports 1307 as disclosed in the detailed description of FIGS. 13-19 is provided 2001. The elongate support member 1301 is removably attached 2002 to the support frame 109 via the flange 1311 defined on the upper end 1301 b of the elongate support member 1301. The exercise attachment 1304, for example, the rod member 1305, is connected 2003 to the lower end 1301 c of the elongate support member 1301 via the pulley system 1309 for supporting the user's arms or legs. The frame member 1306 is rigidly attached 2004 to a front surface 1301 a of the elongate support member 1301 via one or more attachment plates 1316 and fasteners 1317.
The lateral arm supports 1307 are rigidly attached 2005 on opposing sides 1306 a and 1306 b of the frame member 1306 via one or more attachment plates 1315 and fasteners 1318 a and 1318 b, where the lateral arm supports 1307 extend outwardly from the frame member 1306 for supporting the user's arms. The second pulley 117 is rigidly attached to the leg member 108 of the weight bearing assembly 107 of the exercise apparatus 100. The cable 122 is rollably attached to and disposed within the first pulley 1308 of the pulley system 1309, and extends from the second pulley 117 rigidly attached to the leg member 108 of the weight bearing assembly 107. One or more weights 123 at the first end 122 a of the cable 122 counterbalance the weight of the user's arms or legs supported on the rod member 1305 via the second pulley 117 and the first pulley 1308.
FIG. 21 illustrates a method for assembling an exercise apparatus 100 for performing one or more exercises. The method disclosed herein provides 2101 a clamping assembly 101 comprising claw members 102 a and 102 b detachably clamped on opposing sides 128 a and 128 b of a support structure 128, for example, an I-beam as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 9 and FIG. 19. The method disclosed herein further provides 2102 a weight bearing assembly 107 pivotally connected to one or more pivot plates 106 that are rigidly attached to the second claw member 102 b of the clamping assembly 101, and positionally adjusted at one of multiple heights via one or more adjustment plates 105 that are rigidly attached to the first claw member 102 a of the clamping assembly 101. The weight bearing assembly 107 comprises the leg member 108, the support frame 109, and the gripping handles 110 as disclosed in the detailed description of FIGS. 1A-1B.
The user then removably attaches 2002 the elongate support member 1301 to the support frame 109 of the weight bearing assembly 107, connects 2003 an exercise attachment 1304 to the lower end 1301 c of the elongate support member 1301 via the pulley system 1309, rigidly attaches 2004 the frame member 1306 to the front surface 1301 a of the elongate support member 1301, and rigidly attaches 2005 the lateral arm supports 1307 on the opposing sides 1306 a and 1306 b of the frame member 1306 as disclosed in the detailed description of FIG. 20. The user utilizes one or more of the gripping handles 110, the exercise attachment 1304, and the lateral arm supports 1307 for performing one or more exercises, for example, arm curls, leg curls, leg lifts, etc.
FIGS. 22A-22C exemplarily illustrate utilization of the exercise apparatus 100 by a user 2201 for performing one or more exercises. Consider an example where a user 2201 performs exercises using the exercise apparatus 100 disclosed herein. The user 2201 attaches an exercise attachment 1304, for example, a rod member 1305 to the second end 122 b of the cable 122 as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 22A. The user 2201 places a weight 123, for example, a calibrated weight at the first end 122 a of the cable 122. The tension of the cable 122 is selected based on the user's 2201 preferences. The calibrated weight 123 at the first end 122 a of the cable 122 counterbalances the user's 2201 weight at the second end 122 b of the cable 122. The user 2201 grips the rod member 1305 with the arms 2201 a and pulls the cable 122 over the first pulley 1308 and the second pulley 117 against the resistance of the calibrated weight 123 towards the user's 2201 body to perform an exercise, for example, arm curls to strengthen the core muscles of the user's 2201 arms 2201 a.
In an embodiment, the exercise attachment 1304 is a strapping element 1322 connected to the lower end 1301 c of the elongate support member 1301 via the pulley system 1309. The strapping element 1322 is worn by the user 2201 and grips the user's 2201 arms 2201 a or legs 2201 b when the user 2201 performs an exercise. As exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 22B-22C, the user 2201 may attach a strapping element 1322 such as a foot strap at the second end 122 b of the cable 122. The user 2201 adjusts the tension in the cable 122 by connecting the calibrated weight 123 on the first end 122 a of the cable 122. The tension of the cable 122 is selected based on the user's 2201 preferences. The user 2201 rests his/her arms 2201 a on the arm pads 1313 disposed on the lateral arm supports 1307 on the opposing sides 1306 a and 1306 b of the frame member 1306 and rests his/her back 2201 d against the back pad 1314 rigidly attached to the frame member 1306. The user 2201 grips the gripping bars 1312 with the user's 2201 hands. The user 2201 inserts his/her feet 2201 c in the strapping element 1322 and lifts his/her legs 2201 b upwards to perform an exercise, for example, leg curls to strengthen the core muscles of the user's 2201 legs 2201 b or to stress the abdominal muscles. As the user 2201 pulls his/her legs 2201 b upwards, the cable 122 lifts the calibrated weight 123 via the first pulley 1308 and the second pulley 117. The calibrated weight 123 at the first end 122 a of the cable 122 counterbalances the user's 2201 weight at the second end 122 b of the cable 122, thereby reducing work done by the user 2201 to perform curl up exercises. Advance users 2201 can attach extra exercise attachments, for example, curl bars, arm straps, etc., and use the exercise apparatus 100 for performing different exercises.
The foregoing examples have been provided merely for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the present invention disclosed herein. While the invention has been described with reference to various embodiments, it is understood that the words, which have been used herein, are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Further, although the invention has been described herein with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the invention extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims. Those skilled in the art, having the benefit of the teachings of this specification, may affect numerous modifications thereto and changes may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention in its aspects.

Claims

1. An exercise apparatus comprising:

an elongate support member removably attached to a support frame of said exercise apparatus;

an exercise attachment connected to a lower end of said elongate support member via a pulley system for supporting one of arms and legs of a user;

a frame member rigidly attached to a front surface of said elongate support member; and

lateral arm supports rigidly attached on opposing sides of said frame member, wherein said lateral arm supports extend outwardly from said frame member for supporting said arms of said user;

whereby said user utilizes one or more of said exercise attachment and said lateral arm supports for performing an exercise.

2. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein said exercise attachment is a rod member connected to said lower end of said elongate support member via said pulley system, wherein said rod member supports one of said arms and said legs of said user when said user performs said exercise.

3. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein said exercise attachment is a strapping element connected to said lower end of said elongate support member via said pulley system, wherein said strapping element is worn by said user and grips one of said arms and said legs of said user when said user performs said exercise.

4. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pulley system comprises:

a first pulley connected to said lower end of said elongate support member; and

a cable rollably attached to and disposed within said first pulley, wherein said cable extends from a second pulley rigidly attached to a leg member of said exercise apparatus, wherein a first end of said cable bears one or more weights, and a second end of said cable is detachably connected to said exercise attachment, wherein said one or more weights at said first end of said cable counterbalance a weight of said one of said arms and said legs of said user supported on said exercise attachment via said second pulley and said first pulley.

5. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein a section of said elongate support member is rearwardly angulated for accommodating said pulley system.

6. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a flange defined on an upper end of said elongate support member for removably attaching said elongate support member to said support frame of said exercise apparatus.

7. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more attachment plates for rigidly attaching said frame member to said elongate support member, wherein said one or more attachment plates comprise apertures for rigidly attaching said frame member to said elongate support member using fasteners.

8. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more attachment plates for rigidly attaching said lateral arm supports to said opposing sides of said frame member using fasteners.

9. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising gripping bars connected to said lateral arm supports, wherein said gripping bars extend upwardly from said lateral arm supports for providing a grip to said arms of said user when said user performs said exercise.

10. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising arm pads disposed on said lateral arm supports for cushioning said arms of said user when said user performs said exercise.

11. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of said lateral arm supports comprises a ribbed tray for accommodating arm pads that cushion said arms of said user when said user performs said exercise.

12. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a back pad rigidly attached to a front surface of said frame member for supporting a back of said user when said user performs said exercise.

13. A method for assembling an exercise apparatus for performing one or more exercises, comprising:

providing an elongate support member, an exercise attachment, a frame member, and lateral arm supports;

removably attaching said elongate support member to a support frame of said exercise apparatus;

connecting said exercise attachment to a lower end of said elongate support member via a pulley system for supporting one of arms and legs of a user;

rigidly attaching said frame member to a front surface of said elongate support member; and

rigidly attaching said lateral arm supports on opposing sides of said frame member, wherein said lateral arm supports extend outwardly from said frame member for supporting said arms of said user;

whereby said user utilizes one or more of said exercise attachment and said lateral arm supports for performing said one or more exercises.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said elongate support member is removably attached to said support frame of said exercise apparatus via a flange defined on an upper end of said elongate support member.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein said pulley system comprises:

a first pulley connected to said lower end of said elongate support member; and

16. The method of claim 13, wherein said frame member is rigidly attached to said elongate support member via one or more attachment plates.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein said lateral arm supports are rigidly attached to said opposing sides of said frame member via one or more attachment plates.

18. The method of claim 13, further comprising providing gripping bars for providing a grip to said arms of said user when said user performs said one or more exercises, wherein said gripping bars are connected to said lateral arm supports, and wherein said gripping bars extend upwardly from said lateral arm supports.

19. The method of claim 13, further comprising providing one or more of arm pads and a back pad for cushioning and supporting said arms and a back of said user respectively when said user performs said one or more exercises, wherein said arm pads are disposed on said lateral arm supports, and wherein said back pad is rigidly attached to a front surface of said frame member.

20. A method for assembling an exercise apparatus for performing one or more exercises, comprising:

providing a clamping assembly comprising claw members detachably clamped on opposing sides of a support structure;

providing a weight bearing assembly pivotally connected to one or more pivot plates that are rigidly attached to one of said claw members of said clamping assembly, and positionally adjusted at one of a plurality of heights via one or more adjustment plates that are rigidly attached to another one of said claw members of said clamping assembly, wherein said weight bearing assembly comprises:

a leg member having a first end, a middle section, and a second end, wherein said first end of said leg member is pivotally connected to said one or more pivot plates, said middle section of said leg member is detachably connected to said one or more adjustment plates, and said second end of said leg member is rigidly attached to a support frame; and

one or more gripping handles rigidly supported by said support frame, wherein said one or more gripping handles are held by a user for performing said one or more exercises;

removably attaching an elongate support member to said support frame of said weight bearing assembly;

connecting an exercise attachment to a lower end of said elongate support member via a pulley system for supporting one of arms and legs of said user;

rigidly attaching a frame member to a front surface of said elongate support member; and

rigidly attaching lateral arm supports on opposing sides of said frame member, wherein said lateral arm supports extend outwardly from said frame member for supporting said arms of said user;

whereby said user utilizes one or more of said one or more gripping handles, said exercise attachment, and said lateral arm supports for performing said one or more exercises.