US20170056702A1

US20170056702A1 - Gym cage

Info

Publication number: US20170056702A1
Application number: US15/254,746
Authority: US
Inventors: Marcus Carter
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-09-02
Filing date: 2016-09-01
Publication date: 2017-03-02

Abstract

An exercise apparatus has at least one vertical wall structure, a floor and a ceiling forming a cage that can be square, rectangular, circular, oval or another suitable configuration. An arrangement of strategically placed attachment points on the wall structure, floor and ceiling enables easy attachment and detachment of a variety of resistance devices (e.g., a handheld and/or inline cable operated resistance creation device, or a stretch band resistance device) to any of the vertical and/or horizontal structures within the gym cage, thereby providing a nearly 360 degree dimensional point of resistance to perform a wide variety of exercises for different muscle groups and subgroups of the body. In one embodiment, the cage includes an arrangement of spaced apart vertical and horizontal frame members forming a rear wall and opposite side walls.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This non-provisional patent application is based on provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/213,230 filed Sep. 2, 2015.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an exercise apparatus and, more particularly, to a apparatus having one or more vertical walls or frame members with attachment points thereon to facilitate selective attachment of various resistance devices thereto in order to perform a variety of exercises of different muscle groups.

DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART

The exercise and development of different muscle groups and subgroups of the human body requires an extensive variety of movement of the arms, legs, back and shoulders through various ranges of movement at different angles while moving against the force of resistance. Conventionally, exercises of the various muscle groups have been performed with the use of free weights, such as on a barbell or dumbbells. Over time, more advanced equipment has been developed for exercising targeted muscle groups by moving a bar, handgrip or other device through a range of movement. In many cases, these various types of equipment will use a cable that is directed through a series of pulleys and attached to a stack of weights. The user can select the amount of weight by using an adjustably positionable pin within the stack of weights so that only the selected amount of weight is lifted by the cable as the user performs the exercise movement. The angle of movement is usually restricted to a certain range and limited number of exercises for specific targeted muscle groups. Accordingly, in order to exercise all of the various muscle groups and subgroups of the human body, it is necessary to have a large number of different exercise machines, with each exercise machine limited to a specific muscle group and/or subgroup. For convenience, various home gyms have been developed that allow for a variety of exercise movements to be performed, usually by using different stations on the home gym and interchanging various equipment, such as handles, bars, leg engaging devices, etc. However, home gyms have limitations and are not able to provide for a full range of exercises to properly strengthen, tone and build all the different muscle groups and subgroups of the human body.
Accordingly, there remains a need for a single apparatus that allows for exercise of all the different muscle groups and subgroups of the human body, for purposes of strength training, muscle toning and muscle building (i.e., bodybuilding). Moreover, there remains a need for a single apparatus that allows for attachment of various resistance devices at all different angles through virtually a 360 Degree dimensional point of attachment so that a user can perform all different types of exercises to properly exercise and develop all the different muscle groups and subgroups of the human body. Furthermore, there remains a need for a single apparatus that allows for use of various resistance devices that selectively attach to a large number of attachment points at different angles throughout virtually a 360 Degree dimensional point of attachment while eliminating the need for heavy weights, such as weight plates.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an exercise apparatus, and more particularly a gym cage that is designed to be used as a supporting structure for a variety of other exercise devices.
The apparatus consists of a metal skeletal frame having one or more walls and can be square, rectangular, circular, oval, or various other configurations. A rectangular shape with four sides and three walls is illustrated in the attached drawings. The gym cage can be constructed in various dimensions as long as it is sufficiently tall, wide, and deep to allow for a tall standing person to complete a variety of exercises within its dimensions. The embodiments illustrated in the attached drawings are approximately 8 foot tall, 7 foot wide, and 5 feet deep.
The gym cage apparatus does not utilize weight plates, rather it relies upon a variety of strategically placed attachment points that enable cabled resistance devices to be attached. By attaching a hand held resistance device (see FIGS. 38-40), a stretch band resistance device (not shown), or any other similar resistance device to any of the vertical bars, and/or horizontal bars and/or adjustable height ceiling, and/or metal floor of the gym cage, the user has virtually a 360 degree dimensional point of resistance to perform a wide variety of exercises.
The key function of the gym cage apparatus is to provide the strategically placed attachment points for easily and quickly attaching and disconnecting the resistance devices throughout a workout routine. Presently, three types of attachment points are contemplated and include inset (i.e., recessed) attachment points, fixed hook attachment points and adjustably positionable hook attachment points. Other attachment mechanisms and designs are contemplated within the scope of the invention as well. Resistance devices that are fully contemplated for use with the present invention include, but are not limited to, adjustable resistance devices, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,905,904, which can include adjustable resistance handgrip devices, and bar devices, as well as adjustable resistance inline devices. Elastomeric resistance bands and cords are also contemplated for use with the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the gym cage of the present invention illustrating a rear wall having an arrangement of vertical, spaced frame members and a horizontal frame member with inset attachment points on the frame members or bars of the cage;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view taken along the plane of the line indicated by the arrows 2-2 in FIG. 1 showing the inset attachment points on vertical bars forming side walls of the gym cage, along with rack hooks on at least one of the vertical bars for supporting a barbell;

FIG. 3 is an isolated front elevational view of a coupler and inset attachment point illustrating the quick connect coupler locked into the inset attachment point on one of the bars of the gym cage structure;

FIG. 4 is an isolated side elevational view in partial cross section taken along the plane indicated by arrows 4-4 in FIG. 3 showing the coupler and inset attachment point of FIG. 3 and illustrating the quick connect coupler locked into the inset attachment point;

FIG. 5 is an isolated side elevational view, shown in partial cross section, showing the coupler quick release from the inset attachment point and illustrating one finger quick release of the coupler from the inset attachment point;

FIG. 6 is an isolated side elevational view showing an adjustable resistance handgrip connected to and extending from an inset attachment point of the gym cage structure and illustrating the cable of adjustable resistance handgrip extended in an operable position for performing an exercise;

FIG. 6A is a side elevational view, in partial cross section, showing the coupler stem firmly set into the handgrip cradle of the adjustable resistance handgrip enabling the user to connect to the inset attachment point using one hand;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view showing an inline adjustable resistance device for use with the gym cage of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an isolated front elevational view of a fixed hook attachment point on the gym cage of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an isolated side elevational view of the fixed hook attachment point taken along the plane indicated as 9-9 in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an isolated front elevational view of an adjustable hook attachment point on the gym cage illustrating the ability to reposition an attachment point up or down on a vertical bar of the gym cage;

FIG. 11 is an isolated side elevational view, shown in cross section, taken along the plane of the arrows indicated as 11-11 in FIG. 10 and illustrating release of a spring-loaded locking knob to allow up or down adjusted movement and respositioning of the adjustable hook attachment point;

FIG. 12 is an isolated elevational view of a dropdown ceiling in the gym cage illustrating a cord that is pulled to adjust the height of the dropdown ceiling relative to the sidewalls and top of the gym cage;

FIG. 13 is a bottom plan view of the dropdown ceiling taken along the plane indicated by the arrows 13-13 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is an isolated side elevational view of the dropdown ceiling taken along the plane indicated by the arrows 14-14 in FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view of an interior locking mechanism of the dropdown ceiling taken along the plane indicated by the arrows 15-15 in FIG. 12;

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of a metal floor of the gym cage illustrating an arrangement of inset attachment points in the gym cage floor;

FIG. 17 is an isolated cutaway of the gym cage metal floor taken along the plane indicated by the arrows 17-17 in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a front elevational view showing a chair with a first arm attachment device connected with the inline adjustable resistance devices and illustrating a range of movement of the arm attachment device for performing a shoulder exercise;

FIG. 19 is a side elevational view taken along the plane of the line indicated by the arrows 19-19 in FIG. 18 showing one of the arm members of the arm attachment device on the chair fitted with the inline adjustable resistance device of FIG. 7 for performing the shoulder exercise;

FIG. 20 is a front elevational view of the chair with the left and right arm members of the arm attachment device each fitted with the inline adjustable resistance devices shown connected to the inset attachment points on the floor of the gym cage;

FIG. 21 is a front elevational view showing the chair with a second arm attachment device thereon and wherein left and right arm members are each fitted with the inline adjustable resistance devices and illustrating a range of movement of the second arm attachment device in the performance of a shoulder exercise between a start position and end position;

FIG. 22 is a side elevational view of the chair and second arm attachment device of FIG. 21 illustrating movement of the second arm attachment device between the start and end positions in the performance of the shoulder exercise;

FIG. 23 is a rear elevational view of the chair and the second arm attachment device of FIG. 21 showing movement of the second arm attachment device while sliding upwardly in a groove within the back of the chair in the performance of the shoulder exercise between the start and end positions;

FIG. 24 is an isolated front elevational view showing a barbell supported within the rack hooks on the vertical bars of the gym cage;

FIG. 25 is a front elevational view showing a user exercising with the barbell wherein the inline adjustable resistance devices of FIG. 7 are connected near opposite ends of the barbell;

FIG. 26 is a front elevational view of a further embodiment of the gym cage of the present invention having solid walls, and illustrating a solid rear wall of the gym cage structure with inset attachment points on the rear wall and cameras to display exerciser images on a TV monitor mounted on the rear wall;

FIG. 27 is an isolated side elevational view, shown in cross section and taken along the plane of the line indicated by the arrows 27-27 in FIG. 26 showing front and rear cameras mounted within the gym cage and inset attachment points on a solid side wall of the gym cage, as well as the TV monitor mounted in the solid rear wall of the gym cage;

FIG. 28 is a side elevational view showing a user seated on the chair of the present invention and using two of the adjustable resistance handgrips connected to a center column adjustable positioning attachment point similar to the type shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 wherein the user is performing a chest and arm exercise;

FIG. 29 is an isolated top plan view taken along the plane indicated by the arrows 29-29 in FIG. 28;

FIG. 30 is a front elevational view showing the chair mounted to the floor of the gym cage with a leg attachment device fitted to the chair for use in performing various arm and leg exercises;

FIG. 31 is a side elevational view taken along the plane indicated by the arrows 31-31 in FIG. 30 and illustrating a range of adjusted movement and extension and retraction of the leg attachment device on the chair for performing various arm and leg exercises;

FIG. 32 is a side elevational view showing the leg attachment device fitted to the chair and a user performing a bicep exercise with the adjustable resistance handgrips attached to inset attachment points in the floor of the gym cage;

FIG. 33 is a front elevational view showing the user of the gym cage in FIG. 32 performing the bicep exercises with the adjustable resistance handgrips and leg attachment member fitted to the chair;

FIG. 34 is an isolated side elevational view showing the leg attachment device on the chair being used to perform a quad exercise wherein the inline adjustable resistance device is connected between an end of the leg attachment device and an inset attachment point on the floor of the gym cage;

FIG. 35 is a front elevational view showing the chair with the leg attachment device fitted thereto and the user performing the quad exercise as in FIG. 34, wherein two inline adjustable resistance devices are connected between the leg attachment device and inset attachment points in the floor of the gym cage;

FIG. 36 is an isolated side elevational view showing the chair and leg attachment device with a user performing a hamstring exercise, wherein the inline adjustable resistance devices are connected between an end of the leg attachment device an inset attachment point on a vertical frame member or wall of the gym cage;

FIG. 37 is an isolated top plan view taken along the plane indicated as 37-37 in FIG. 36 and showing the two inline adjustable resistance devices connected between the leg attachment device and attachment points on the vertical wall of the gym cage;

FIG. 38 is an isolated side elevational view of the chair and leg attachment device illustrating a user performing a calves exercise wherein two inline adjustable resistance devices are connected between the end of the leg attachment device and attachment points on the floor of the gym cage;

FIG. 39 is a front elevational view taken along the plane indicated by the arrows 39-39 in FIG. 38 showing the two inline adjustable resistance devices connecting between the leg attachment device and the attachment point in the floor of the gym cage;

FIG. 40 is an isolated side elevational view showing a range of adjusted movement and adjusted positions of the seatback of the chair between a vertical position, an inclined angle position and a horizontal bench position; and

FIG. 41 is an isolated rear elevational view of the seatback on the chair taken along the plane indicated by the arrows 41-41 in FIG. 40.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The gym cage of the present invention is shown and generally indicated as 10 throughout the drawings. The gym cage 10 includes at least one vertical wall structure and, in a preferred embodiment, includes a rear wall structure 12 and opposite side wall structures 14, 16 (i.e., left and right walls) extending upwardly from a floor 18 to a top 19 of the cage 10.
As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vertical side wall structures 14, 16 and rear wall structure 12 of the gym cage 10 may be formed by an arrangement of parallel vertically extending bars or frame members 20 that are spaced apart to allow visibility through the entire gym cage. The rear wall structure 12 and side wall structures 14, 16 may further include at least one horizontal bar or frame member 22, as seen in FIG. 1. The top 19 of the cage 10 may be formed by a similar arrangement of spaced and parallel bars or frame members or, alternatively, the top 19 may be a solid structure, similar to the floor 18 of the cage 10 which is shown in FIG. 16. The rear wall structure 12, opposite side wall structures 14, 16, top 19 and floor 18 provide for an arrangement of attachment points 24 for selective, interchangeable and removable attachment of resistance devices, such as the adjustable resistance handgrip device 30 shown in FIGS. 6 and 6A, as well as the inline adjustable resistance device 40 shown in FIG. 7. Attachment of these adjustable resistance devices to the various attachment points 24 on the vertical wall structures, top and floor of the gym cage 10 allow for virtually 360 degrees of attachment points to perform a wide variety of exercises for exercising, developing, toning and building different muscle groups and subgroups of the human body. The gym cage 10 may further include an adjustable height ceiling 50, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 12-15 to allow users of different heights to easily reach the attachment points 24 on the adjustable height ceiling 50 in order to attach the various adjustable resistance exercise devices (e.g., 30 and 40).
The attachment points 24 on the vertical wall structures (i.e., the back wall and opposite side walls) as well as the ceiling/top and floor of the gym cage 10 may be either fixed or adjustable in position. Moreover, the attachment points 24 may be recessed or inset, as seen in FIGS. 3-6 or exposed on a surface of the wall structures 12, 14 and 16, ceiling/top 19 and floor 18 of the cage 10, in the form of hook attachment points 70, as seen in FIGS. 8 and 9. Moreover, the attachment points may be adjustably positionable, such as adjustably positionable hook attachment points 80 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.
The inset attachment points 60 generally consist of a pocket area 62 within the walls or frame members 20, 22 of the gym cage 10, such as within the frame members 20, 22 of the rear wall structure 12 and opposite side wall structures 14, 16, as well as within the ceiling/top 19 of the gym cage 10 and the floor 18 of the gym cage. The inset attachment points 60 further include a transverse attachment bar 64 that extends within the pocket 62, connecting to the frame member or other structure on opposite sides of the pocket 62 so that the transverse attachment bar 64 is inset from the surface of the walls, ceiling and floor of the gym cage. As seen in FIGS. 3-6A the inset attachment points 60 are particularly suited for attachment of a quick connect coupler 32 on the adjustable resistance handgrip device 30. In particular, the quick connect coupler 32 includes a generally C-shaped claw 34 fitted to a coupler stem 36 that is attached to a cable 39 extending from the spool 31 of the adjustable resistance handgrip device 30. The open mouth of the generally C-shaped claw 34 of the quick connect coupler is normally closed by a spring loaded latch 35, as seen in FIG. 4. The quick connect coupler 32 is easily attached to the attachment point 24 (either the inset attachment point 60 or the hook attachment point 70 or adjustable hook attachment point 80) by jamming the quick connect coupler 32 into the bar of the inset attachment point or hook and causing the bar of the attachment point 24 to move the spring loaded latch 35 open, until the bar passes within the enclosure of the claw 34 and clears the latch 35, whereupon the spring loaded latch 35 is urged back to the closed position, as seen in FIG. 4. To remove the quick connect coupler 32 from the attachment point, a one finger quick release mechanism 38 is operated to urge the latch 35 open so that the bar (i.e., inset or hook) of the attachment point 24 can be moved out through the open mouth of the claw 34 of the quick connect coupler, as illustrated in FIG. 5. Easy one handed attachment of the quick connect coupler 32 to the attachment point 24 is achieved by the structure of the quick connect coupler 32 and frame 33 of the handgrip device 30. Specifically, referring to FIG. 6A, the frame 33 of the handgrip device includes a cradle 37 that is specifically sized and configured for congruent receipt of the coupler stem 36 therein, holding the quick connect coupler 32 secure relative to the handgrip resistance device frame and grip handle, so that the user, with one hand grasping the handle 33a of the handgrip device, can jam the quick connect coupler 32 against the attachment point 24, with the bar of the attachment point 24 urging the spring loaded latch 35 open until the bar of the attachment point is secure within the grasp of the claw 34 of the quick connect coupler 32, as shown in FIG. 4.
Referring to FIG. 7, the inline adjustable resistance device 40 includes two separate attachment hooks 42, 44 for attachment to an item of equipment, such as a barbell 110, arm attachment device 120, 130 or leg attachment device 140, as well as one of the many attachment points 24 on the gym cage. One of the hooks 42 of the inline adjustable resistance device 40 is fitted to the end of a fixed cable 43, while the other hook 44 is fitted to a cable 45 that extends from the resistance spool 31 of the device.
The operation of the adjustable resistance handgrip device 30 and the inline adjustable resistance device 40 is consistent with the disclosure in U.S. Pat. No. 8,905,904. In general, the adjustable resistance is achieved by opposing piston heads 47, 48, as seen in FIG. 7, wherein resistance is created by either compression of air between the piston heads, a spring between the piston heads or a magnetic force created by opposing force magnets on each of the piston heads. Adjusting the distance between the piston heads 47, 48, by screw rotation of either or both pistons, with the use of an adjustment knob 49, allows for adjusting the resistance of force to rotate the spool 31. This in turn translates to a force of resistance of pulling the cable from the spool, as described in more detail in U.S. Pat. No. 8,905,904. In the instance magnets are used, an electromagnet may be positioned on the left side of the chamber within the spool and a standard magnet may be placed on the head of the piston on the right side of the chamber. The magnets create a repulsive field between them, and the strength of the repulsive field can be controlled by the electrical current flowing to the electromagnet, thereby controlling the force of resistance of pulling the cable from the spool.
Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the adjustable positionable hook attachment points 80 include a hook 82 fitted to a central hub 83 that is fastened to a guide block 84 by a bolt 85 that passes through a vertical slot 25 in a frame member 20 of the gym cage 10. The guide block 84 is specifically sized and configured for sliding movement within a hollow interior channel 23 of the frame member 20 of the gym cage. The adjustable positionable hook attachment point 80 further includes a locking pin 86 arrangement including a second bolt 87 that extends through the vertical slot 25 of the frame member and into the guide block. The portion of the bolt 87 extending exteriorly of the frame member, including the bolt head, is surrounded by a movable knob 88. A spring 89 is fitted between the bolt head and the inner end of the knob 88 so that the knob can be pulled outwardly against the force of the spring 89 away from the frame member 20. A collar 88 a of the knob 88 is specifically sized and configured for selective receipt within any one of an arrangement of vertically spaced holes 27 formed along the open slot 25 of the frame member 20. To adjust the hook attachment point 80 up or down, the knob 88 is pulled outwardly against the force of the spring 89 and released from the hole 88 in the frame member 20 allowing the hook 82, guide block 84 and bolts 85, 87 to slide up or down until the knob 88 is aligned with one of the spaced holes 27 along the open slot 25 at the desired height or position of the hook attachment point. When reaching the desired position, the knob 88 is released and the knob collar 88 a is allowed to snap into place within the aligned hole 27 on the open slot 25 of the frame member 20 thereby securing the hook attachment point 80 at the desired adjusted position.
Referring to FIGS. 12-15, an adjustable height dropdown ceiling 50 is shown. The dropdown ceiling 50 is provided with an arrangement of attachment points 24, either or both the inset attachment points 60 and/or hook attachment points 70, and is able to be adjusted in height relative to the floor 18, top 19 and vertical wall structure of the gym cage 10. The dropdown ceiling 50 secured in place by opposing locking pin members 52 on opposite ends of the dropdown ceiling which are received within any select set of a spaced arrangement of locking apertures or holes 54 on the same horizontal plane in the wall structure of the gym cage, as seen in FIG. 12. To adjust the height of the dropdown ceiling 50, the user pulls a cord 55 to operate a pulley and spring mechanism 57 (see FIG. 15) that urges the locking pins 52 inwardly towards the interior of the dropdown ceiling, and out of the locking holes 54 in the wall frame members 20 of the gym cage so that the dropdown ceiling 50 is free to move up or down while the cord 55 remains pulled and the locking pins 52 remain in the retracted position. To assist with raising or lowering the dropdown ceiling, a vertical bar 56 extends down from the dropdown ceiling 50 and can be grasped by the user. This vertical bar 56 assists users of different heights who may not otherwise be able to reach the ceiling 50 and is otherwise necessary to pull the ceiling 50 down to an adjusted lowered position. When the dropdown ceiling 50 is at the desired height, the cord 55 is released, causing the locking pins 52 to extend out from the sides of the ceiling 50 and into the aligned locking holes 54 in the frame structures 20 of the gym cage. The weight of the dropdown ceiling 50 is supported by a spring roller 58 or coil and cable 59, as seen in FIG. 14. Specifically, a spring loaded coil, pulley or roller 58 is mounted within the top of the gym cage frame structure and a cable 59 extends down and connects to the dropdown ceiling 50. This allows the user to raise or lower the dropdown ceiling 50 with minimal effort, while preventing the ceiling from falling down onto the user. A minimum amount of force is necessary to pull the ceiling 50 down, by grasping the vertical bar 56. Without pulling down on the bar 56, the ceiling 50 will remain either stationary or begin to rise upwardly as the spring loaded coil/pulley mechanism 58 supports the weight of the ceiling 50 and may in fact lift the ceiling 50 back to the fully raised position when the locking pins 52 are disengaged.
FIG. 15 illustrates the general schematic of an arrangement of the pulley and spring locking pin release mechanism 57 wherein the cord 55 extends about an arrangement of pulleys and connects to the arm members of the two locking pin structures which are urged against springs when pulling down on the cord, thereby allowing the locking pins 52 to retract into the ceiling. Upon release of the cord 55, the springs urge the locking pins 52 outwardly so that they can be received within the selected horizontally aligned set of locking holes on the gym cage frame members 20.
Referring to FIGS. 24 and 25, a barbell 110 is attached to two inline adjustable resistance devices 40 that are secured to attachment points 24 in the floor of the gym cage, allowing the user to perform overhead presses or other exercise movements with the barbell 110 against the force of resistance of the inline adjustable resistance devices 40. During periods of rest, between sets of overhead presses or other exercise movements, the user can place the barbell 110 into any of the rack hooks 112 on oppositely positioned frame members 20 of the gym cage 10, as shown in FIG. 25, while the barbell 110 still remains under tension exerted by the cables of the inline adjustable resistance devices 40.
FIGS. 26 and 27 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the gym cage 10A wherein the rear wall 12A, opposite side walls 14A, 16A and ceiling 19A are solid so that others cannot see into the sides or rear of the gym cage. The front may remain open to allow for ventilation and ease of access in and out of the gym cage 10A. Similar to the embodiment described above, the vertical walls, ceiling and floor 18A are provided with attachment points 24 for attaching the adjustable resistance devices. Additionally, cameras 160 may be provided at the four top corners of the gym cage 10A, to capture views of the exercises from various angles. Moreover, a TV monitor 162 is mounted to the rear wall 12A, allowing the user to view themselves while performing various muscle building exercises, so that they can verify that their posture and technique is proper.
FIGS. 18-23 and 28-40 show a chair 150 in accordance with the present invention for performing various arm, shoulder and leg exercises. The chair 150 removably mounts to the floor 18 of the gym cage and includes a seat base 152 and adjustably positionable seatback 154. In several embodiments, as seen in FIGS. 18-23 and 30-39, various arm attachment devices and leg attachment devices are provided for performing a variety of arm, shoulder and leg exercises. Specifically, a first arm attachment member 120, as seen in FIGS. 18-20, is attachable to the seatback for performing shoulder exercises, wherein left and right arm members 122, 124 of the arm attachment device 120 are each connected to inline adjustable resistance devices 40 that connect to attachment points 24 on the floor 18 of the gym cage 10, permitting the user to perform a shoulder exercise movement, as demonstrated in FIG. 18. Similarly, a second arm attachment member 130 is adapted to be installed on the rear side 155 of the seatback 154, and is slidably moveable within a guide slot 156 on the seatback, through a range of vertical movement, as seen in FIGS. 21 and 23. In this embodiment, the opposite left and right arm members 132, 134 of the second arm attachment device 130 are each connected to inline adjustable resistance devices 40 that are anchored to attachment points 24, such as inset attachment points 60, in the floor 18 of the gym cage, allowing the user to perform a shoulder exercise by moving the second arm attachment device 130 through the range of movement shown in FIGS. 22 and 23.
The invention further includes a leg attachment device 140, as shown in FIGS. 30-39 for performing various arm and leg exercises. The leg attachment device adjustably mounts to the seat base 152 and is adjustably positionable, as shown in FIG. 31, to allow for performance of various exercises. During the performance of leg exercises, the leg attachment device 140 is movable relative to the seat base 152. In another position, as shown in FIG. 32, the leg attachment device 140 may be fixed in the vertical upright position to provide support of the arms while performing a bicep curl exercise, wherein two adjustable resistance handgrip devices 30 are secured to attachment points in the gym cage floor and the user performs the curl exercise, as demonstrated in FIG. 32 while grasping the adjustable resistance handgrip devices in each hand. Various quad, hamstring and calf exercises can be performed using the leg attachment device 140, as shown in FIGS. 34-39, wherein two inline adjustable resistance attachment devices 40 are secured to the leg attachment device 140 and anchored to attachment points 24 in either the floor 18 of the gym cage 10 or a vertical wall structure or frame member 20 of the gym cage.
Referring to FIGS. 40-41, the seatback 154 of the chair 150 is adjustable through a range of positions, as shown in FIG. 40 and can be locked at any one of those positions including a vertically upright position, one or more angled or inclined positions and a horizontal bench position. A support leg 158 is hingedly or pivotally fitted to the rear side 155 of the seatback and folds down, as shown in FIG. 40 to engage the gym cage floor 18 and support the seatback 154 in the horizontal bench position.
While the present invention has been shown in accordance with several preferred and practical embodiments, it is recognized that departures from the instant disclosure are fully contemplated within the spirit and scope of the present invention which is not to be limited except as defined in the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An exercise apparatus comprising:

at least one vertical wall structure and a floor;

at least one resistance creation device for performing a variety of exercise movements against a force of resistance with the at least one resistance creation device attached to a structure to thereby exercise different muscle groups of the human body; and

a plurality of attachment points on the at least one vertical wall structure and the floor for selective attachment and detachment of the at least one resistance creation device thereto for performing the variety of exercise movements.

2. The exercise apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising:

a ceiling structure above the floor, and the at least one vertical wall structure extending vertically between the floor and the ceiling structure, and wherein the plurality of attachment points are on the ceiling structure, the at least one vertical wall structure and the floor.

3. The exercise apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein at least some of the plurality of attachment points are inset within the at least one wall structure.

4. The exercise apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein at least some of the plurality of attachment points are exposed on a surface of the at least one wall structure.

5. The exercise apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein at least some of the plurality of attachment points are adjustably positionable on the at least one wall structure.

6. The exercise apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein at least some of the plurality of attachment points are inset within the floor.

7. The exercise apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein at least some of the plurality of attachment points are inset within the ceiling structure.

8. The exercise apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein at least some of the plurality of attachment points are exposed on a surface of the ceiling structure.

9. The exercise apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein at least some of the plurality of attachment points are adjustably positionable on the ceiling structure.

10. The exercise apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising:

a plurality of vertical wall structures; and

the plurality of attachment points on the plurality of vertical wall structures.

11. The exercise apparatus as recited in claim 10 wherein the plurality of vertical wall structures are each defined by an arrangement of spaced apart vertically extending frame members.

12. The exercise apparatus as recited in claim 10 wherein the plurality of wall structures are solid walls.

13. The exercise apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein the ceiling structure is adjustably movable between a range of adjusted height positions relative to the floor, and the ceiling structure being releasably locked at a plurality of selected adjusted height positions throughout the range of adjusted positions.