Foldable parallel bar apparatus

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10058723-B2
Application number	US-201314022815-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 10, 2013
Priority date	Sep 27, 2012
Publication date	Aug 28, 2018
Grant date	Aug 28, 2018

Abstract

A foldable parallel bar apparatus includes generally U-shaped first and second end frames and a set of handrails connected to and extending between the first and second end frames, wherein the handrails are foldable so as to move the first and second end frames closer to one another thereby compacting the apparatus. When multiple modules of the end frames are connected, they provide an uninterrupted path between the handrails. An alternative embodiment provides base platforms that are foldable relative to each other and handrails that are vertically and horizontally adjustable.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A parallel bar apparatus, comprising:
a) first and second handrails, said first handrail mounted on first and second supports;
b) a first elbow bar extending between said first handrail and said first support and a second elbow bar extending between said first handrail and said second support, each said elbow bar comprising a first vertical section and a second vertical section connected to one another by an angled section, said first vertical sections of said elbow bars being attached to said first handrail, said second vertical section of said first elbow bar being attached to said first support, said second vertical section of said second elbow bar being attached to said second support.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:
each said support includes a respective base post and a support bar pivotable relative thereto.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:
a) each said second vertical section comprises a respective screw-threaded portion; and
b) each said first and second support comprises a respective screw-threaded portion, said screw-threaded portion of said first support cooperating with said second vertical section of said first elbow bar, said screw-threaded portion of said second support cooperating with said second vertical section of said second elbow bar.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein:
each said first vertical section of said first and second elbow bars are pivotably connected to said first handrail.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 , further comprising:
a clamping means mounted on said first support for locking said second vertical section of said first elbow bar relative to said first support.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:
said second handrail is mounted on third and fourth supports;
a third elbow bar extends between said second handrail and said third support and a second elbow bar extends between said second handrail and said fourth support, each said third and fourth elbow bar comprising a first vertical section and a second vertical section connected to one another by an angled section, said first vertical sections of said third and fourth elbow bars being attached to said second handrail, said second vertical section of said third elbow bar being attached to said third support, said second vertical section of said fourth elbow bar being attached to said fourth support.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein:
each said third and fourth support includes a respective base post and a support bar pivotable relative thereto.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein:
each said second vertical section of said third and fourth elbow bars comprises a respective screw-threaded portion; and
each said third and fourth support comprises a respective screw-threaded portion, said screw-threaded portion of said third support cooperating with said second vertical section of said third elbow bar, said screw-threaded portion of said fourth support cooperating with said second vertical section of said fourth elbow bar.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein:
each said first vertical section of said third and fourth elbow bars are pivotably connected to said second handrail.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 , further comprising:
a clamping means mounted on said third support for locking said second vertical section of said third elbow bar relative to said third support.

11. A foldable parallel bar apparatus, comprising:
a) first and second sections foldable relative to each other;
b) each of said first and second sections including a first and a second handrail laterally spaced from one another;
c) said first handrail being mounted on a first and second support by respective first and second elbow bars, said second handrail being mounted on third and fourth supports by third and fourth elbow bars;
d) each said elbow bar comprising a first vertical section and a second vertical section connected to one another by an angled section, said first vertical sections of said first and second elbow bars being connected to said first handrail, said first vertical sections of said third and fourth elbow bars being connected to said second handrail, said second vertical section of said first elbow bar being connected to said first support, said second vertical section of said second elbow bar being connected to said second support, said second vertical section of said third elbow bar being connected to said third support, said second vertical section of said fourth elbow bar being connected to said fourth support; and
e) said elbow bars being rotatable relative to said supports so as to move said first and second handrails vertically as well as horizontally.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein:
a) each of said first and second sections includes a platform;
b) each of said supports respectively comprises a base post mounted on the platform and a support bar pivotable relative to said base post.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein:
a) each said second vertical section of each said elbow bar comprises screw-threads;
b) each said support bar includes a sleeve with an internal screw-threaded portion; and
c) each said second vertical section is in screw-threaded engagement with a respective one of said sleeves.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein:
a) each said elbow bar is rotatable relative to said handrail and forms an angle therebetween.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein:
a) the angle varies from 0° to at least 90°.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein:
a) an angle of 90° formed between said elbow bars and said first and second handrails provides a narrowest width between the handrails.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein:
a) an angle of 0° formed between said elbow bars and said first and second handrails provides a width wider than the narrowest width between the handrails.

18. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein:
a) an angle between 0° to 90° formed between said elbow bars and said first and second handrails provides an intermediate width between the handrails.

19. The apparatus of claim 13 , further comprising:
first and second clamping means mounted respectively on said first and third supports for locking said first and third elbow bars relative to said sleeve.

20. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein:
a) each said base post and said support bar are in operable engagement by a pin and slot arrangement thereby allowing said handrails to fold down toward the platform.

21. The apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising:
a) wheels or casters mounted on at least one of said sections for moving the apparatus.

22. The apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising:
a) a third said section positioned between said first and second sections.

23. The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein:
a) said first section is foldably connected to said third section on one side thereof and said second section is foldably connected to said third section on the opposite side thereof.

24. The apparatus of claim 23 , further comprising:
a) means for folding or unfolding said first and second sections substantially simultaneously comprising a manually-operated crank mechanism.

25. The apparatus of claim 24 , further comprising:
a) wheels or casters mounted on at least one of said sections for moving the apparatus.

26. The parallel bar apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein:
said supports are mounted on a generally flat b

Assignees

• Nickel Eric A
• Hansen Andrew H
• Breyette Adam Stephen
• Chen Binghan
• Huber Kristin
• Klabon Ross
• Lasee Thomas C
• Voss William Gunther
• Morin Steven M
• Us Veterans Affairs

Inventors

• Nickel Eric A
• Hansen Andrew H
• Breyette Adam Stephen
• Chen Binghan
• Huber Kristin
• Klabon Ross
• Lasee Thomas C
• Voss William Gunther
• Morin Steven M

Classifications

• A63B2225/09

  Adjustable dimensions · CPC title

• A63B2210/50

  Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport · CPC title

• A63B2071/025

  on rollers or wheels · CPC title

• A63B2022/0094

  for active rehabilitation, e.g. slow motion devices · CPC title

• A63B23/0464

  Walk exercisers without moving parts (with movable endless bands A63B22/02) · CPC title