WO2004004839A1

WO2004004839A1 - A training apparatus shaped as a free/standing bar column

Info

Publication number: WO2004004839A1
Application number: PCT/NO2003/000233
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ole Petter Ramfjord
Original assignee: Ole Petter Ramfjord
Priority date: 2002-07-09
Filing date: 2003-07-04
Publication date: 2004-01-15
Also published as: AU2003248512A1; NO20023304A; NO316107B1; NO20023304D0

Abstract

An apparatus for training and exercising, comprising horizontal bars (5) placed over each other at regular intervals, where the bars (5) are placed on an essentially vertical column (4) and the bottom portion of the column (4) comprises a base (2).

Description

TRAINING APPARATUS SHAPED AS A FREE-STANDING BAR COLUMN

This invention regards a training apparatus shaped as a freestanding bar column, more specifically a column having a stabilising base, transverse bars spaced evenly upwards along the middle and top sections of the column.

Increasingly immobile working positions both in the work place and in educational situations cause sicknesses both of the muscular and skeletal systems, with a subsequent increase in absences due to sickness. It is desirable to check this development by among other things implementing a culture that focuses on health, well-being and the environment. The contribution of human resources, money and equipment all input factors.

Technical devices in the form of training apparatuses placed in dedicated gyms are expensive and in practice relatively inaccessible to the majority of those for whom they are intended. The physical distance to the gym and a lack of knowledge of the use of the training equipment act as a barrier for a large segment of the potential users .

Overall, experience indicates that the initiatives taken to improve people's health through physical activity and relaxation become to complex and difficult to implement in the long term.

The object of the invention is to remedy the disadvantages of prior art.

The object is achieved in accordance with the invention by the characteristics given in the description below and in the appended claims.

The main objective is to create an element which may be used by everyone for physical activity and relaxation in the workplace or place of study, which is not time consuming and which is easily accessible in the social space. A central keyword is "stretch".

The invention consists of a free-standing wall bars with which can be connected simple exercise, motivation and follow-up concepts.

A vertical column extends from a stabilising base. The height of the column is typically 2.5 metres. A series of transverse bars are connected to the mid and top portions of this column, which bars extend to both sides of the column, in a vertical plane running through the axis of the column. At the top, the column is equipped with two intersecting sets of bars positioned horizontally and placed in a relation to each other such that two branches of the bars are placed symmetrically about a horizontal axis positioned perpendicularly on the vertical plane laid through the axis of the transverse bars. The other two branches of the intersecting bars are inverted about said vertical plane, in relation to the first bars.

Due to the symmetry of the bar column about said vertical plane, the bar column can be used by two persons simultaneously.

Advantageously, the bar column is given a sculptural shape through the supporting column being completed with additional elements, e.g. in another material, or the column itself may have a decorative design.

The following describes a non-limiting example of a preferred embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a bar column seen from a principal side (from the front or the rear);

Figure 2 is a side view of a bar column;

Figure 3 is a vertical section through the bars; and

Figure 4 is a horizontal section through the top bars.

In the drawings, reference number 1 denotes a bar column with a base 2 and a stabilising member 3 typically shaped as a cone. A column 4 is equipped with a series of transverse bars 5 spaced evenly upwards along the mid portion of the column 4. The top portion of the column 4 is equipped with two pairs of top bars 6 located at the same height. Preferably the column 4 is equipped with one or more side members 7.

The column 4 is rigidly mounted to the base 2 and given lateral stability by the stabilising member 3.

The transverse bars 5 are positioned at regular intervals upwards along the mid portion of the column 4 , so that they cover an area that matches a person lying down, sitting and standing. A typical distance between the crossbars 5 is 20 cm. The crossbars 5 are mounted symmetrically about the central axis of the column 4, and all the crossbars 5 lie in a vertical plane through the axis of the column 4.

The top bars 6 are assembled so as to form, in a horizontal plane, a cross symmetrical about a vertical plane through the crossbars 5. The top bars 6 are arranged so that two persons positioned on either side of the bar column 1 may each take hold of a pair of bars 6 without clashing with each other.

The side members 7 serve a decorative and stabilising purpose. At the same time, they act as an extension of the contact surface between the bar column 1 and the person(s) using it.

The base 2 has a shape and size that in use provide the required stability for the bar column 1. Alternatively, the base may comprise elements (not shown) for attaching the bar column to the floor.

Claims

C l a i m s

An apparatus for training and exercising, comprising horizontal bars (5) placed over each other at regular intervals, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the bars (5) are placed on an essentially vertical column.

An apparatus in accordance with Claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the bottom portion of the column (4) comprises a base (2).

An apparatus in accordance with one or more of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that two pairs of top bars (6) are positioned horizontally at the top portion of the column (4), which bars (6) form a cross in a horizontal plane through the top bars ( 6 ) , and that the centre line through one of the top bars (6) forms an angle with a vertical plane through the bars ( 5 ) , and also that the top bars ( 6 ) are placed symmetrically about the vertical plane through the bars (5) .

An apparatus in accordance with one or more of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the column (4) comprises one or more side members ( 7 ) that increase the surface area of the column ( 4 ) in the direction of extent of the bars (5).