Multi-purpose adjustable-incline climbing wall

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2020171369-A1
Application number	US-202016783825-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Feb 6, 2020
Priority date	Jul 6, 2017
Publication date	Jun 4, 2020
Grant date	—

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to an adjustable-incline climbing wall. The climbing wall comprises one or more climbing panels supported by a frame and a system for adjusting the incline of the frame to provide a climbing wall of a desired incline. The incline of the climbing wall may be adjusted by activating an actuator, which extends the frame a distance from a support wall, tilting the climbing wall to a desired incline. When the climbing wall is substantially vertically oriented, the system for adjusting the incline of the climbing wall may extend only a small distance from the support wall so that the adjustable-incline climbing wall has a relatively small footprint. Further, by providing a plurality of attachment points between the actuator and the frame (and/or between the actuator and a support), the adjustable-incline climbing wall may be provided with a wider range of incline angles, as well as increased control over those angles.

First claim

What is claimed:

1 . An adjustable-incline climbing wall comprising:
a. one or more climbing panels configured to provide a climbing surface; b. a plurality of climbing grips affixed to the climbing surface; c. a wall frame supporting the one or more climbing panels; d. a system for adjusting the incline of the climbing surface, the system comprising
i. a base unit having a first end that supports the frame and a second end affixed to a support wall; and
ii. an actuator configured to adjust the incline of the climbing wall so that the climbing surface may be positioned at a plurality of incline angles within a permitted range;
wherein a first end of the actuator is connected to the base unit and a second end of the actuator is connected to the wall frame; wherein the connection between the actuator and one or more of (i) the wall frame and (ii) the base unit is adjustable, such that the actuator may be adjusted between a first actuator attachment position and a second actuator attachment position; and wherein a first permitted range of incline angles is provided when the actuator is in the first actuator attachment position and a second permitted range of incline angles is provided when the actuator is in the second attachment position, the second permitted range of incline angles being different from the first permitted range of incline angles.

2 . The adjustable-incline climbing wall of claim 1 , wherein by combining the first permitted range of incline angles and the second permitted range of incline angles, the climbing surface may be positioned at substantially any angle of incline between 0° and 55° relative to a vertical axis.

3 . The adjustable-incline climbing wall of claim 2 , wherein by combining the first permitted range of incline angles and the second permitted range of incline angles, the climbing surface may be positioned at substantially any angle of incline between 0° and 60° relative to a vertical axis.

4 . The adjustable-incline climbing wall of claim 3 , wherein by combining the first permitted range of incline angles and the second permitted range of incline angles, the climbing surface may be positioned at substantially any angle of incline between 0° and 65° relative to a vertical axis.

5 . The adjustable-incline climbing wall of claim 1 , wherein the first permitted range of incline angles comprises angles between 0° and 55° relative to a vertical axis.

6 . The adjustable-incline climbing wall of claim 5 , wherein the second permitted range of incline angles comprises angles between 15° and 65° relative to a vertical axis.

7 . The adjustable-incline climbing wall of claim 1 , wherein the connection between the actuator and the wall frame is adjustable.

8 . The adjustable-incline climbing wall of claim 7 , wherein the connection between the actuator and the wall frame is may be adjusted by (i) loosening or removing one or more fasteners that secure the second end of the actuator to the wall frame, (ii) moving the second end of the actuator to a different position on the wall frame, and (iii) tightening or replacing the one or more fasteners to secure the second end of the actuator to the wall frame.

9 . The adjustable-incline climbing wall of claim 8 , wherein the step of moving the second end of the actuator to a different position on the wall frame comprises sliding the second end of the actuator along a portion of the wall frame.

10 . The adjustable-incline climbing wall of claim 9 , wherein one of the second end of the actuator and the wall frame comprises a slot and the other of the second end of the actuator and the wall frame comprises a projection that slides within the slot.

11 . The adjustable-incline climbing wall of claim 7 , wherein the connection between the actuator and the wall frame may be adjusted through an electronic control.

12 . The adjustable-incline climbing wall of claim 1 , wherein the first actuator attachment position is identified as providing incline angles having a first degree of difficulty and the second actuator attachment position is identified as providing incline angles having a second degree of difficulty, the second degree of difficulty being different from the first degree of difficulty.

13 . The adjustable-incline climbing wall of claim 1 ,
wherein the connection between the actuator and one or more of (i) the wall frame and (ii) the base unit is adjustable such that the actuator may be further adjusted to a third actuator attachment position; and wherein a third permitted range of incline angles is provided when the actuator is in the third actuator attachment position, the third permitted range of incline angles being different from both the first permitted range of incline angles and the second permitted range of incline angles.

14 . The adjustable-incline climbing wall of claim 13 , wherein the first actuator attachment position is identified as providing incline angles having a first degree of difficulty, the second actuator attachment position is identified as providing incline angles having a second degree of difficulty, and the third actuator attachment position is identified as providing incline angles having a third degree of difficulty; and wherein each degree of difficulty differs from the others.

15 . The adjustable-incline climbing wall of claim 1 , wherein the actuator may be locked in the first actuator attachment position so as to limit the incline of the climbing wall.

16 . The adjustable-incline climbing wall of claim 1 , wherein the system for adjusting the incline of the climbing surface comprises a plurality of actuators, each actuator having a first end connected to the base unit and a second end connected to the wall frame;
wherein the connection between each actuator and one or more of (i) the wall frame and (ii) the base unit is adjustable, such that each actuator may be adjusted between a first actuator attachment position and a second actuator attachment position.

17 . The adjustable-incline climbing wall of claim 16 , wherein a first actuator and a second actuator are linked such that they are adjusted between the first actuator attachment position and the second actuator attachment position together.

18 . The adjustable-incline climbing wall of claim 16 , wherein a first actuator may be adjusted between the first actuator attachment position and the second actuator attachment position independently of a second actuator.

19 . The adjustable-incline climbing wall of claim 18 , wherein the first actuator controls the incline angle of a first portion of the climbing surface and the second actuator controls the incline angle of a second portion of the climbing surface.

20 . The adjustable-incline climbing wall of claim 1 , wherein the connection between the actuator and the base unit is adjustable.

Assignees

• Everlast Climbing Ind Inc

Inventors

• Sudeith Timothy Shawn
• Howard Sarah Mae
• Tiffin Benjamin
• Greenblatt Joel
• Sweeney Joseph
• Baumgartner Aaron Jon
• Lee Justin

Classifications

• A63B69/0048 Primary

  for mountaineering, e.g. climbing-walls, grip elements for climbing-walls · CPC title

• A63B2071/0675

  Input for modifying training controls during workout · CPC title

• A63B21/169

  for anchoring on or against a wall · CPC title

• A63B2071/009

  Protective housings covering the working parts of the apparatus · CPC title

• A63B24/00

  Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; {Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances} · CPC title