Power rack for receiving fitness equipment

Abstract

The application relates to a power rack (1) for receiving fitness equipment, such as in particular dumbbells or the like. The power rack (1) according to the invention has a first structure (10), which is designed to be immovably fixed at one location, and two first side frames (11) fixedly connected to each other. Furthermore, the power rack (1) has a second structure (20), which is designed to transfer the power rack (1) from a storage state into a working state by means of a translational movement in relation to the first structure (10), and two second side frames (21) connected to each other. The first side frames (11) and / or the second side frames (21) are furthermore designed to fasten the fitness equipment within the first structure (10) or the second structure (20). According to the invention, the first structure (10) and the second structure (20) are arranged and designed in such a way that, in the storage state of the power rack (1), the first structure (10) receives the second structure (20) or the second structure (20) receives the first structure (10).

Description

[0001] Power rack for fitness equipment

[0002] The application concerns a power rack for holding fitness equipment, such as dumbbells or similar, with two telescopic frames.

[0003] To set up a fitness room, especially a private home gym, in addition to the appropriate fitness equipment, such as barbells and weight plates, horizontal bars, ropes, cable pulleys, etc., a rack is usually also required. This rack serves as the basic structure for performing various fitness exercises and also serves to hold, i.e., attach or store, the fitness equipment and any accessories. Such a rack is also referred to in professional circles as a "power rack." The invention relates to such a power rack.

[0004] Often, commercially available power racks cannot be integrated into a typical living environment, requiring a dedicated room. This is due to the space required to set up the power rack and perform the exercises, as well as its visual appearance. Thus, a power rack is perceived as a distraction in most living spaces. Even in spaces ideal for this purpose, such as basements, the space required makes the use of a power rack difficult or even impossible, especially in urban areas with limited space.

[0005] Various power racks of the type mentioned above are known from the prior art. For example, US Pat. No. 7374516 B2 discloses a rack with two side frames and a back frame, in which a fitness device in the form of a barbell guide is movably mounted. This well-known power rack requires a lot of space.

[0006] WO 2014 / 128 570 A2 also describes a rack that can be folded up when not in use. The disadvantage of this power rack is the high effort required for its assembly and disassembly.

[0007] Document DE 10 2021 132 269 A1 discloses a power rack whose space requirements can be significantly reduced using a sliding mechanism. The sliding mechanism also allows the power rack to be converted into a visually more appealing and discreet design when not in use. However, its stability is considered disadvantageous compared to a conventional power rack.

[0008] The invention is therefore based on the object of providing an alternative solution for a power rack that can be operated with little effort and can be integrated into a living space with a small space requirement and yet has the greatest possible stability.

[0009] To achieve the stated object, a power rack is designed according to the features of independent patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the subclaims.

[0010] The power rack according to the invention for accommodating fitness equipment comprises a first frame designed to be immovably fixed in one location and has two first side frames firmly connected to one another. A fixed connection here means that the two first side frames are not arranged so as to be movable relative to one another. The power rack further comprises a second frame designed to transfer the power rack from a storage state to a working state by means of a translational movement with respect to the first frame, and has two second side frames connected to one another. The first side frames and / or the second side frames are further designed to fasten the fitness equipment within the first frame or the second frame.In the context of the application, the term “side frame” is to be understood as a particularly rectangular and closed connection of individual elements of rigid elements which form a rigid structure and represent a lateral limitation of the first or second framework.

[0011] According to the invention, the first frame and the second frame are arranged and designed such that, in the storage state of the power rack, the first frame accommodates the second frame or the second frame accommodates the first frame.

[0012] The working state is understood to be the state of the power rack in which it can be used for fitness exercises. In the stored state, however, one of the two racks is accommodated by the other. The phrase "one of the racks accommodates the other" means that a volume enclosed by the accommodated rack lies completely or at least predominantly within the volume enclosed by the receiving rack. As a result, both racks are nested or offset within each other so that the power rack is as compact and inconspicuous as possible in its stored state in order to take up as little space as possible. In the working state, the power rack is pulled apart by the translational movement of the second rack so that the two volumes enclosed by the respective racks no longer overlap or at least only overlap slightly.In this state, a fully usable power rack is available. To transfer the power rack from the working state to the storage state or vice versa, the user merely needs to perform the translational movement of the second rack. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first rack is designed to guide the translational movement of the second rack to transfer the power rack from the storage state to the working state. This guided movement can significantly improve the operability of the power rack, as it reduces the risk of misuse and simplifies the movement of the second rack for the user.The guidance can be ensured by the interaction of the first frame with the second frame by means of a guide element that interacts positively with a corresponding guide rail, or by the geometry of the first and second frame themselves.

[0013] Another advantageous embodiment of the invention is one in which the power rack has a fixation that is designed to be arranged between the first frame and the second frame and prevents the translational movement of the second frame. The fixation can thus be arranged or activated, for example, when the power rack is in working condition in order to prevent a translational relative movement of the two frames during training. This can significantly improve the stability of the power rack and makes it possible to absorb the sometimes large forces that act during strength training. The fixation is preferably formed by a fixing rod that is configured to be inserted into openings provided for this purpose in the first frame and in the second frame, in particular in at least one of the first side frames and one of the second side frames.Such a fixing rod represents a simple and reliable way, both in terms of operation and design, to achieve a fixation between the first and second frames to prevent translational movement of the second frame. The fixing rod can be easily inserted by the user into the corresponding openings in the first and second frames or the first and second side frames.

[0014] Preferably, the second frame further comprises at least one movement element designed to simplify the translational movement of the second frame. A movement element is understood, in particular, to be a roller arranged on the second frame, which rolls along the floor and thus makes the translational movement of the second frame as frictionless as possible. Alternatively or additionally, a guide rail is preferably provided between the first and second frames, whereby the translational movement is better guided, and the guide rail can also reduce the friction of the movement.

[0015] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first frame and / or the second frame enclose a cuboid volume. The cuboid volume enables particularly good stability, especially for the first frame, thus increasing the stability of the power rack. Furthermore, the fitness equipment can be optimally stored within the cuboid volume, thus optimizing the space utilization of the power rack. Last but not least, such a simple basic shape as a cuboid also offers advantages in terms of structural design and manufacturing.

[0016] The power rack preferably also has flaps or similar cover options that can be arranged on the first or second frame, particularly when the power rack is in storage, to limit the volumes enclosed by the first and second frames and to conceal or render the fitness equipment inaccessible. The first frame and the second frame are preferably formed by individual elements that are screwed, welded, or otherwise permanently connected.

[0017] In the following, embodiments, further developments, and examples of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The figures show:

[0018] Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the power rack 1 according to the invention in the storage state in a perspective view.

[0019] Fig. 2 shows the power rack 1 according to Fig. 1 in working condition in a perspective view.

[0020] Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the power rack 1 according to the invention in the stored state in a perspective view. The power rack 1 has a first frame 10 and a second frame 20. The first frame 10 is fixed in space and cannot be moved. It also has two opposing first side frames 11, which are connected to one another by a first cover frame 12. Furthermore, a further connection 13 is provided on the side opposite the cover frame 12 between the first side frames 11, so that a rear frame is formed between the first side frames 11, the first cover frame 12 and the connection 13. The first frame 10 thus encloses a cuboid-shaped volume. In the context of the application, the term "frame" refers to a structure of different individual elements arranged at an angle, in particular at right angles, to one another, which in particular form a closed structure.

[0021] A second frame 20 is provided within the cuboid volume, comprising two second side frames 21 arranged opposite one another. These are firmly connected to one another by a second cover frame 22. The second frame 20 thus also encloses a cuboid volume. In the storage state shown in Fig. 1, the cuboid volume of the second frame 20 is arranged entirely within the cuboid volume of the first frame 10, i.e., it is completely accommodated and enclosed by it.

[0022] The second stand 20 has movement elements 24 in the form of rollers, on which the second stand 20 can be moved translationally relative to the first stand 10 in order to move from the storage state shown in Fig. 1 to the working state shown in Fig. 2. The rollers are designed such that they only allow movement in one direction. Furthermore, the movement of the second stand 20 is guided by the geometry of the first stand 10, so that the second stand 20 can only perform a translational movement along one axis.

[0023] In order to transfer the power rack 1 from the storage state to the working state, the second frame 20 is moved out of the volume enclosed by the first frame 10 relative to the first frame 10. This can be done either by the user or by motor drive. Once the working state is reached (see Fig. 2), in the embodiment shown, two fixing rods 25 are inserted through correspondingly provided openings in the first and second side frames 11, 21, thus fixing the second frame 20 relative to the first frame 10. Further translational movement is thus prevented by the fixing rods 25. The fixing rods 25 therefore represent a fixation within the meaning of the application.

[0024] Other embodiments with different types and configurations of fixation are conceivable. For example, braking elements provided on the rollers can be used as an alternative or in addition to the fixation rods 25. Fixation rods 25 can also be used in positions other than those shown in Fig. 2.

[0025] It is also conceivable to provide a flap on the first cover frame 12 of the first frame 10, which is folded upwards before the translational movement of the second frame 20 and, in the working state of the power rack 10, rests on the second frame 20 and is possibly connected to it in order to enable additional fixation.

[0026] Alternatively or in addition to the rollers shown in Figs. 1 and 2, other types of movement elements 24 can also be provided. For example, it is conceivable to provide a guide element between the first frame 10 and the second frame 20, which slides in a corresponding linear guide and guides the translational movement and reduces the friction of the movement.

[0027] The fitness equipment is provided and secured between the first side frame 11 and the second side frame 21, respectively. When the power rack 1 is in operation, the fitness equipment is accessible. Corresponding panels, flaps, or other covering options are not shown in the figures, but can easily be mounted on the first frame 10 to conceal and conceal the fitness equipment.

[0028] It should also be noted that the invention is not limited to the present embodiment. An embodiment is also conceivable in which the first frame 10 is accommodated by the second frame 20, and thus the second frame 20 does not disappear within the first frame 10. Instead, the first frame 10, in the storage state, is entirely or at least predominantly accommodated in the volume enclosed by the second frame 20, and thus the second frame 20 "slips over the first frame 10."

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1. Power rack (1) for accommodating fitness equipment, comprising a first frame (10) designed to be immovably fixed in one location, and comprising two interconnected first side frames (11), a second frame (20) designed to transfer the power rack (1) from a storage state to a working state by a translational movement with respect to the first frame (10), and comprising two interconnected second side frames (21), wherein the first side frames (11) and / or the second side frames (21) are designed to fasten the fitness equipment within the first frame (10) or the second frame (20), and when the power rack (1) is in the storage state, the first frame (10) accommodates the second frame (20) or the second frame (20) accommodates the first frame (10).

2. Power rack (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the first frame (10) is designed to guide the translational movement of the second frame (20) for transferring the power rack (1) from the storage state to the working state.

3. P Power rack (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the power rack (1) has a fixation which is designed to be arranged between the first frame (10) and the second frame (20) and to prevent the translational movement of the second frame (20).

4. Power rack (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the fixation is formed by at least one fixing rod (25) which is configured to be inserted into openings provided for this purpose in the first frame (10) and in the second frame (20), in particular in at least one of the first side frames (11) and one of the second side frames (21).

5. Power rack (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second frame (20) has at least one movement element (24) which is designed to simplify the translational movement of the second frame (20).

6. Power rack (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the moving element (24) is designed as a roller.

7. Power rack (1) according to one of the preceding claims 5 or 6, wherein the moving element (24) is formed by a linear guide rail between the first frame (10) and the second frame (20).

8. Power rack (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first frame (10) and / or the second frame (20) enclose a cuboid volume. Preferably, flaps or similar closures are provided to close the volume enclosed by the power rack when in storage and to hide fitness equipment.

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