Wall-Mounted Exercise System

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/662,857, filed on Jun. 21, 2024, and titled, “Wall-Mounted Exercise System,” which is incorporated by reference herein.

Numerous embodiments are disclosed for a wall-mounted exercise system that is adjustable in height and can be folded against the wall for efficient storage.

The prior art includes wall-mounted ballet bars typically used in dance studios and exercise facilities. Ballet bars are used by dancers, persons during exercise as a stability device to keep their balance while engaging in stretching, dancing, cardiovascular, weight training, and other exercise activities, and persons engaged in physical therapy. These ballet bars typically are mounted to walls, and once installed, cannot be moved vertically. This limits the ability of the bar to adjust to various user heights and types of activities or exercises that can be performed with the ballet bar. For instance, the ballet bar can be difficult to use from a sitting position for users whose height and arm length are not aligned with the fixed height of the ballet bar. The inability of the ballet bar to adjust in height can cause a user to train or engage in physical therapy in improper hip alignment (e.g., the user's hip might tilt due to the placement of the bar), which can further exacerbate an injury or cause an injury to occur. Furthermore, users sometimes will sit or kneel on mats under the ballet bar, but these mats are not attached to anything and will move during strenuous activities or activity that requires movement of the feet while using the ballet bar as a balance or stability support, which increases the risk of injury to the user.

The assignee of this application is an innovator in free-standing ballet bar exercise devices and previously obtained U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,743,152; 7,608,029; 9,295,866; and 10,010,735, each of which is incorporated by reference herein. The inventions of those patents greatly improved upon the prior art, but nevertheless still contained limitations. For instance, free-standing ballet bars are not as stable as wall-mounted ballet bars. The units also can be difficult to move for elderly users and require significant storage space.

What is needed is a wall-mounted ballet bar exercise device that is easily adjustable in height to allow the user to engage with the bar in proper hip alignment and that can be installed as an individual unit or as a set of multiple units. What is further needed is a device that includes a backboard and foldable mat that the user may sit or kneel on when using the ballet bar and that is attached to a fixed structure such as a wall.

Numerous embodiments are disclosed for a wall-mounted exercise system that is adjustable in height and can be folded against the wall for efficient storage.

In one embodiment, a wall-mounted exercise unit comprises a first mounting assembly attached to a wall; a second mounting assembly attached to the wall; a bar assembly comprising a bar, a first vertical adjustment mechanism coupled to the first mounting assembly, and a second vertical adjustment mechanism coupled to the second mounting assembly, wherein the bar is adjustably coupled to the first vertical adjustment mechanism and the second vertical adjustment mechanism such that a height of the bar can be varied; and a backboard assembly attached to the wall.

In another embodiment, a wall-mounted exercise unit comprises a backboard assembly coupled to a wall; and a bar assembly comprising: a bar; a first vertical adjustment mechanism comprising a first rail and a first plurality of spacers coupled to the first rail, the first vertical adjustment mechanism coupled to the wall such that the spacers contact the wall and the first rail does not contact the wall; and a second vertical adjustment mechanism comprising a second rail and a second plurality of spacers coupled to the second rail, the second vertical adjustment mechanism coupled to the wall such that the second plurality of spacers contact the wall and the second rail does not contact the wall; wherein the bar is adjustably coupled to the first vertical adjustment mechanism and the second vertical adjustment mechanism such that a height of the bar can be varied.

In another embodiment, a wall-mounted exercise system comprises a first mounting assembly attached to a wall; a second mounting assembly attached to the wall; a third mounting assembly attached to the wall; a first bar assembly comprising a first bar, a first vertical adjustment mechanism coupled to the first mounting assembly, and a second vertical adjustment mechanism coupled to the second mounting assembly, wherein the bar is adjustably coupled to the first vertical adjustment mechanism and the second vertical adjustment mechanism such that a height of the bar can be varied; and a second bar assembly comprising a second bar, a third vertical adjustment mechanism coupled to the second mounting assembly, and a fourth vertical adjustment mechanism coupled to the third mounting assembly, wherein the second bar is adjustably coupled to the third vertical adjustment mechanism and the fourth vertical adjustment mechanism such that a height of the bar can be varied.

depicts wall-mounted exercise unit. Wall-mounted exercise unitcomprises bar assembly, backboard assembly, and two mounting assemblies. Bar assemblyis attached to mounting assemblies, and mounting assembliesare attached to wall. Each mounting assemblycan accommodate portions of two bar assemblies as shown in.

depicts wall-mounted exercise unit. Wall-mounted exercise unitcomprises bar assembly, backboard assembly, mounting assemblyon the right side and mounting assemblyon the left side. Bar assembly, backboard assembly, and mounting assemblyare the same as in. Bar assemblyis attached to mounting assembliesand, and mounting assembliesandare attached to wall. Mounting assemblyis used on the left side of bar assemblywhen one does not intend to install a second bar assembly to the left of wall-mounted exercise unit.

depicts wall-mounted exercise unit. Wall-mounted exercise unitcomprises bar assembly, backboard assembly, mounting assemblyon the left side and mounting assemblyon the right side. Bar assembly, backboard assembly, and mounting assemblyare the same as in. Mounting assemblyis the same as mounting assemblyinbut is rotated 180 degrees. Bar assemblyis attached to mounting assembliesand, and mounting assembliesandare attached to wall. Mounting assemblyis used on the right side of bar assemblywhen one does not intend to install a second bar assembly to the right of wall-mounted exercise unit.

depicts wall-mounted exercise unit. Wall-mounted exercise unitcomprises bar assembly, backboard assembly, and mounting assemblies. Bar assemblyand backboard assemblyare the same as in. Mounting assembliesare the same as in, with mounting assemblyon the right rotated 180 degrees relative to mounting assemblyon the left. Bar assemblyis attached to mounting assemblies, and mounting assembliesare attached to wall. Mounting assembliesare used when one does not intend to install a second bar assembly to either the left or the right of wall-mounted exercise unit.

depicts wall-mounted exercise systemthat comprises wall-mounted exercise unitmounted to wallon the left-most side of the system, wall-mounted exercise unitmounted to wallon the right-most side of the system, and a plurality of wall-mounted exercise unitsmounted to wallbetween wall-mounted exercise unitsand, where adjacent wall-mounted exercise unitsshare a mounting assembly. In this example, wall-mounted exercise systemcomprises three wall-mounted exercise units, but it is to be understood that wall-mounted exercise systemcan comprise any number of wall-mounted exercise units, limited only by the size of wall. As will be explained in greater detail below, the height of the bar in each wall-mounted exercise unit,, andcan be adjusted to suit the height of the user.

depicts exercise systemmounted to wallas inbut with studsin walldepicted. Studsprovide structural integrity for walland typically are located behind drywall or plaster to form wall. Mounting assembliesandeach are mounted into one of studs. Under modern building practices, studs typically are located 16 inches apart. In this example, mounting assembliesandare located 48 inches apart from adjacent mounting assemblies, meaning they are placed on every third studwithin wall.

depicts additional aspects of mounting assemblyof wall-mounted exercise units,, andand wall-mounted exercise system. Mounting assemblycomprises bracketcontaining holesand weld nutson both the left and right sides of bracket. Bracketis mounted to studs(not shown) using bolts. Holescan receive a stemattached to a pull knobof bar assembly(not shown) as will be described below. Weld nutsreceive bolts from bar assemblyto fasten bar assemblyto bracket. In the example shown, bracketcomprises four weld nutsand bar assemblyis fastened to two of the weld nuts, such as the first and third weld nutfrom the top or the second and fourth weld nutfrom the top; the former might be used to accommodate a taller user and the latter might be used to accommodate a shorter user. It is to be understood that bracketcan contain a larger number of weld nutsto accommodate additional heights or a smaller number of weld nutsto reduce the complexity and cost of the manufacturing of mounting assembly. Thus, bracketcan accommodate adjacent bar assembliesattached to bracketat different heights.

depicts additional aspects of the mounting assemblyof wall-mounted exercise units,, andand wall-mounted exercise system. Mounting assemblycomprises bracketcontaining holesand weld nutson the right side of bracket. Mounting assemblyis similar to mounting assemblyexcept that bracketlacks a set of weld nutsand holeson one side compared to bracket, as mounting assemblyis intended to be used on an end unit in wall-mounted exercise system. Bracketis mounted to studs(not shown) using bolts. Holescan receive a stemattached to a pull knobof bar assembly(not shown) as will be described below. Weld nutsreceive bolts from bar assemblyto fasten bar assemblyto bracket. In the example shown, bracketcomprises four weld nutsand bar assemblyis fastened to two of the weld nuts, such as the first and third weld nutfrom the top or the second and fourth weld nutfrom the top; the former might be used to accommodate a taller user and the latter might be used to accommodate a shorter user. It is to be understood that bracketcan contain a larger number of weld nutsto accommodate additional heights or a smaller number of weld nutsto reduce the complexity and cost of the manufacturing of mounting assembly. As discussed above with reference to, mounting assemblycan be rotated 180 degrees and placed on the right side of bar assembly.

depicts additional aspects of backboard assemblyof wall-mounted exercise units,,, and(and wall-mounted exercise unitdescribed with reference to) and wall-mounted exercise system. Backboard assemblycomprises backboard, handle, and brackets.

depict additional aspects of backboard assemblyof wall-mounted exercise units,,,, andand wall-mounted exercise systemand show how backboard assemblyis mounted to wall.

In, a portion of backboard assemblyis shown. Backboard assemblycomprises mounting strips. In this example, mounting stripsare sheet metal strips.

depicts mounting stripsmounted to studsfrom a vantage point within wall. Mounting stripsare fastened to studswith bolts or another fastening mechanism. Mounting stripsalso can be fastened at additional points to wallusing drywall bolts or another fastening mechanism.

depicts a backside view of a portion of backboard assembly. Backboard assemblycomprises four cleatsthat are shaped to engage with mounting strips. Cleatsare mounted on backboard.

depicts cleatsengaged with mounting strips, which in turn are fastened to stud, from a vantage point within wall.

depicts backboard assemblywith optional clamps. Clampscan be used to prevent upward movement of backboard assembly, as might occur if a tall user has attached bungees(not shown, but shown in) to backboard assembly and pulls upward on the bungees.depicts backboard assemblywith optional clampsscrewed into studs.

depict aspects of backboard assemblyof wall-mounted exercise unitsand show how matis used and how it is attached to backboard. The same principles apply to backboard assemblyused in wall-mounted exercise units,,, andas well. In the example shown, matcan be decoupled from backboardso that matcan be replaced when it wears out or if one wants a new matwith a different logo, material, color, or other characteristic.

depicts backboard assembly, which comprises mat. In the example shown, matcomprises three segments that can be folded together as shown in. In, fastening stripcan be used to hold matin place against backboardby looping around handle. Fastening stripcan comprise the material known by the trademark “VELCRO” or another fastening material.

depict two alternative implementations of mat.

depicts mat, which is one implementation of mat. Matcomprises fastening strip(which is an implementation of fastening strip) that wraps around handleas shown in. Matcomprises pocketthat can be placed over the top of backboard. Pocketincludes slotthrough which handleprotrudes when pocketis placed over the top of backboard. Matcomprises fastening stripthat attaches to another fastening strip (not shown) on the side of backboardthat faces mat. Fastening stripand the fastening strip on backboardcan comprise the material known by the trademark “VELCRO” or another fastening material.

depicts mat, which is another implementation of mat. Matcomprises fastening strip(which is an implementation of fastening strip) that wraps around handleas shown in. Matcomprises pocketthat can be placed over the top of backboard. Pocketincludes slotthrough which handleprotrudes when pocketis placed over the top of backboard. Matcomprises flapsand. Flapcomprises fastening stripand flapcomprises fastening strip. Fastening stripsandcan comprise the material known by the trademark “VELCRO” or another fastening material. When pocketis placed over the top of backboard, flapsandwrap around backboardand fastening stripsandsecure to one another as shown in.

depict details regarding bar assemblyof wall-mounted exercise units,,, andand wall-mounted exercise system.

depicts bar assembly, which comprises bar, crossbar, clampsand, and vertical adjustment mechanismsand. Barin one embodiment is made of wood with a diameter of 50 mm but it is to be understood that barcan be made of other materials such a metal or plastic and can be of any diameter. Crossbarin one embodiment is made of steel but it is to be understood that crossbarcan be made of other materials such as another metal or plastic. Vertical adjustment mechanismsandare mirror-images of each other. Clampsandare mirror images of one another, as clampis designed to hold the left ends of barand crossbarand clampis designed to hold the right ends of barand crossbar.

Vertical adjustment mechanismcomprises rail, carriage, pull knob, and end cap. Vertical adjustment mechanismcomprises rail, carriage, pull knob, and end cap. Carriagesandare mirror images of each other, as carriageis designed to hold clampand carriageis designed to hold clamp. Carriagesandfit within each instance of railand can move up and down within railwhen pull knobis pulled outward. When pull knobis not pulled outward, pull knoband its attached mechanism (described below) holds carriageorin place such that it cannot move up and down within rail. Clampsandare attached to carriagesand, respectively (or are each formed of the same piece as their respective carriage), and move up and down when carriagesandmove up and down.

shows a portion of bar assemblyfrom a vantage point below bar. Clampcomprises boltand optional screw. Bolttightens clamparound barand reduces or eliminates movement of bar. Optional screwfurther secures barto clampand reduces or eliminates rotational movement of barwithin clamp. Clamp(not shown) contains boltand, optionally, screwas well and operates in the same manner.

depicts a portion of bar assemblywithout barfor convenience. Clampcomprises nutto receive boltand optional screw hole(which will be present if screwis present) to receive optional screw(not shown). Boltis driven into nutand nut(not shown, but shown in) to tighten clamparound bar(not shown). Carriagecomprises recessto receive constant force spring(shown in). Clampalso contains nut, recess, and, optionally screw holeand operates in the same manner as clamp

depicts a portion of bar assembly. Bar assemblycomprises constant force springwhich engages with carriageto provide assistance to the user when moving carriageupward or downward. Specifically, constant force springprovides upward force, which can assist the user to move carriageupward and can counteract the force of gravity when the user moves the carriagedownward so that it does not drop too quickly when the user pulls out pull knob. Carriagealso contains constant force springand operates in the same manner.

depicts a cross section of various components in a portion of bar assembly, including bar, clamp, pull knob assembly, rail, bolt, nutsand, and holes. Pull knob assemblycomprises pull knob, stem, nut, spring, and pin(shown in). Springis captured between a flange on stemand a pocket in nut. When the user wishes to change the height of bar, the user pulls pull knoboutward in one of carriagesand. Springwill exert force on pull knobin the inward direction such that if the user releases pull knob, it will move inward.

With reference to both, stemcontains pinthat sits within groovesin nut(only one grooveis shown in; another grooveis not shown and is on the opposite side of nut) when stemis in the inward position. The user can pull pull knoboutward such that pinexits grooves, and the user can then twist pull knobin the clockwise or counterclockwise directions to cause pinto sit against nutoutside of grooves. This locks pull knoband stemin an outward position such that stemis not in any of the holes. After the user pulls and twists one of the pull knobs, the user can then pull and twist the other pull knob(or simply pull it and hold onto it). This ensures stemson both sides are not contained in any of the holes. The user adjusts barto the desired height and releases or untwists pull knobs. If properly aligned, stemswill be inserted into one of the holes; if not properly aligned, stemswill hit railand the user will need to move barslightly upward or downward until stemsextend into holeson each side. Once stemsare extended into holes, barwill be secured in place vertically.

depicts collar.depicts bungee.depicts exercise unitand wall-mounted exercise systemwith collarattached to barin bar assembly, and bungeeattached to collar. A user can exercise using bungee, either while standing or sitting on matin an unfolded position or while standing or sitting on the floor with matfolded up against backboard. Bungee(or additional bungees) also can attach to handle, brackets, bar, or carabiner(not shown here but shown in). Collarand bungeecan be used with exercise units,,, andin the same manner.

depict additional aspects of backboard assemblyof wall-mounted exercise units,,,, andand wall-mounted exercise system. In, carabinerscan be attached to brackets. With reference to, a user can attach bungeesto one or more of carabinersor collars. In this example, a first bungeeis attached to collar, which is attached to bar, and runs through carabinerin the bottom left corner of backboard assembly, and second bungeeis attached to carabinerin the upper right corner of backboard assemblyand runs over bar. The user can then exercise with the first bungeeand/or the second bungee.depicts another example where a first bungeeis attached to carabinerin the bottom left corner of backboard assembly. The user can then exercise with the first bungee. It is to be understood thatare mere examples and that a user can attach one or more bungeesto one or more collarsattached to barand/or to one or more carabinersin any possible combination.

depict wall-mounted exercise unit, which is designed to operate as a single unit mounted on wall.

depicts wall-mounted exercise unit. Wall-mounted exercise unitcomprises bar assemblyand backboard assembly. Unlike wall-mounted exercise units,,, and, wall-mounted exercise unitdoes not include mounting assemblyor mounting assembly. Instead, bar assemblyattaches directly to wall. Bar assemblyis identical to bar assemblyexcept as to the differences discussed below with reference to. Backboard assemblyis the same as shown in previous Figures, and the previous discission of backboard assemblyapplies to backboard assemblyin wall-mounting exercise unitas well. For the discussion that follows, it is to be understood that when a component of bar assemblyis identical to a component of bar assembly, the previous discussion of the component in bar assemblyapplies to the component of bar assemblyas well.

depicts wall-mounted exercise unit, including bar assemblyand backboard assembly, from the back side.

Bar assemblycomprises bar, crossbar, clampsand, and vertical adjustment mechanismsand. Vertical adjustment mechanismcomprises rail, carriage(not shown), pull knob, and end cap. Vertical adjustment mechanismcomprises rail, carriage(not shown), pull knob, and end cap. Baris identical to barexcept that baris longer, as described below with reference to. Crossbaris identical to crossbarexcept that crossbaris longer, as described below with reference to. Clampsandare identical to clampsand, respectively. Carriagesandare identical to carriagesand, respectively. Pull knoband its attached mechanism and end capare identical to pull knoband its attached mechanism and end capdiscussed previously.

Vertical adjustment mechanismsandand their respective railsare identical to vertical adjustment mechanismsandand their respective railsexcept that railsinclude the additions of spacers. In one embodiment, spacerscomprise metal pieces welded onto rails. Spacerscontain holes through which bolts can be placed to mount bar assemblyto wall(not shown), and spacerswill be the only portion of bar assemblythat will physically touch wall. Spacersguarantee that a gap will be present between the other portion of railsand wall, which will allow the stems of pull knobsto protrude through holeswithout contacting wall, which is shown in.

depicts bar assemblyinstalled into wall. Wallcomprises studand drywallover stud. Spacerscause a gapto be present between railand drywall, which allows stemattached to pull knobto protrude through a holein railwithout touching drywall.

depicts wall-mounted exercise unit,depicts wall-mounted exercise unit, anddepicts wall-mounted exercise unitfor a side-by-side-by-side comparison. With reference to, and as explained previously, wall-mounted exercise unitcomprises bar assembly, backboard assembly, and mounting assemblies. Mounting assembliesare mounted into two of the studs. Bar assemblycomprises barand crossbar. With reference to, and as explained previously, wall-mounted exercise unitcomprises bar assembly, backboard assembly, and mounting assemblies. Mounting assembliesare mounted into two of the studs. Bar assemblycomprises barand crossbar.

Wall-mounted exercise unitwould follow the same principles shown infor mounting assemblyand infor mounting assembly. Wall-mounted exercise unitwould follow the same principles shown infor mounting assemblyand infor mounting assembly.

With reference to, and as explained previously, wall-mounted exercise unitcomprises bar assemblyand backboard assembly. Bar assemblycomprises vertical adjustment mechanismsand, bar, and crossbar. Vertical adjustment mechanismsandare mounted into two of the studs. Because wall-mounted exercise unitdoes not include mounting assembliesor, barand crossbarare longer than barand crossbarbecause mounting assembliesare designed to be shared by two wall-mounted exercise units, resulting in barand crossbarspanning a distance slightly inward of two adjacent studs.

Embodiments, materials, processes, and numerical examples described above are exemplary only, and should not be deemed to limit the claims.