US-20260124483-A1 - Modular Weight Station

US20260124483A1US 20260124483 A1US20260124483 A1US 20260124483A1US-20260124483-A1

Abstract

A novel modular weight station includes a frame, a first set of receivers, and a second set of receivers. The frame includes a first support column, a second support column, and a cross support coupled between the first and second support columns. The first set of receivers are coupled to the frame and orientated to face in a first direction while the second set of receivers are coupled to the frame and oriented to face in a second direction. The receivers are configured to removably engage an additional structural component.

Inventors

Brian Lee Schroeder
David Lee Schroeder
Oliver Matthew Johnson

Assignees

Samson Equipment, Inc.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260507
Application Date: 20251001

Claims (20)

1 . A modular weight station comprising: a frame including a first support column, a second support column, and a cross support coupled between said first support column and said second support column; a first set of receivers coupled to said frame and oriented to face in a first direction, each receiver of said first set of receivers being configured to removably engage an additional structural component; and a second set of receivers coupled to said frame and oriented to face in a second direction different from said first direction, each receiver of said second set of receivers being configured to removably engage an additional structural component.
2 . The modular weight station of claim 1 , further comprising: a first connector; a second connector; a third connector; and a fourth connector; and wherein said first support column includes a first upright and a second upright; said second support column includes a third upright and a fourth upright; said cross support includes a first transverse member coupled between said first upright and said third upright; said cross support additionally includes a second transverse member coupled between said second upright and said fourth upright; said first connector is coupled between said first upright and said second upright; said second connector is coupled between said third upright and said fourth upright; said third connector coupled between said third upright and said fourth upright; said fourth connector coupled between said third upright and said fourth upright; a first receiver of said first set of receivers is fixed to a first end of said first connector; a second receiver of said first set of receivers is fixed to a first end of said second connector; a third receiver of said first set of receivers is fixed to a first end of said third connector; a fourth receiver of said first set of receivers is fixed to a first end of said fourth connector; a first receiver of said second set of receivers is fixed to a second end of said first connector; a second receiver of said second set of receivers is fixed to a second end of said second connector; a third receiver of said second set of receivers is fixed to a second end of said third connector; and a fourth receiver of said second set of receivers is fixed to a second end of said fourth connector.
3 . The modular weight station of claim 2 , wherein said first connector defines a cable passage passing completely through said first connector, said cable passage facilitating the movement of a weight cable through said first connector.
4 . The modular weight station of claim 3 , further comprising a cable-weight assembly removably coupled to said frame.
5 . The modular weight station of claim 2 , further comprising: a first coupler having a first portion and an opposite second portion, said first portion of said first coupler being configured to be removably mounted to said first receiver of said first set of said receivers; a second coupler having a first portion and an opposite second portion, said first portion of said second coupler being configured to be removably mounted to said third receiver of said first set of said receivers; a third coupler having a first portion and an opposite second portion, said first portion of said third coupler being configured to be removably mounted to said first receiver of said second set of said receivers; a fourth coupler having a first portion and an opposite second portion, said first portion of said fourth coupler being configured to be removably mounted to said third receiver of said second set of said receivers; a first frame extender having a first portion and an opposite second portion, said first portion of said first frame extender being configured to be removably mounted to said second portion of said first coupler; a second frame extender having a first portion and an opposite second portion, said first portion of said second frame extender being configured to be removably mounted to said second portion of said second coupler; a third frame extender having a first portion and an opposite second portion, said first portion of said third frame extender being configured to be removably mounted to said second portion of said third coupler; and a fourth frame extender having a first portion and an opposite second portion, said first portion of said fourth frame extender being configured to be removably mounted to said second portion of said fourth coupler.
6 . The modular weight station of claim 5 , wherein: said first frame extender is longer than said third frame extender; and said second frame extender is longer than said fourth frame extender.
7 . The modular weight station of claim 2 , further comprising: a first coupler having a first portion and an opposite second portion, said first portion of said first coupler being configured to be removably mounted to said first receiver of said first set of said receivers; a second coupler having a first portion and an opposite second portion, said first portion of said second coupler being configured to be removably mounted to said second receiver of said first set of said receivers; a third coupler having a first portion and an opposite second portion, said first portion of said third coupler being configured to be removably mounted to said third receiver of said first set of said receivers; a fourth coupler having a first portion and an opposite second portion, said first portion of said fourth coupler being configured to be removably mounted to said fourth receiver of said first set of said receivers; a first frame extender having a first portion and an opposite second portion, said first portion of said first frame extender being configured to be removably mounted to said second portion of said first coupler; a second frame extender having a first portion and an opposite second portion, said first portion of said second frame extender being configured to be removably mounted to said second portion of said second coupler; a third frame extender having a first portion and an opposite second portion, said first portion of said third frame extender being configured to be removably mounted to said second portion of said third coupler; a fourth frame extender having a first portion and an opposite second portion, said first portion of said fourth frame extender being configured to be removably mounted to said second portion of said fourth coupler.
8 . The modular weight station of claim 7 , further comprising: a fifth coupler having a first portion and an opposite second portion, said first portion of said fifth coupler being configured to be removably mounted to said second portion of said first frame extender; a sixth coupler having a first portion and an opposite second portion, said first portion of said sixth coupler being configured to be removably mounted to said second portion of said second frame extender; a seventh coupler having a first portion and an opposite second portion, said first portion of said seventh coupler being configured to be removably mounted to said second portion of said third frame extender; an eighth coupler having a first portion and an opposite second portion, said first portion of said eighth coupler being configured to be removably mounted to said second portion of said fourth frame extender; a third support column having a lower receiver and an upper receiver, said lower receiver of said third support column being configured to be removably mounted to said second portion of said fifth coupler, said upper receiver of said third support column being configured to be removably mounted to said second portion of said sixth coupler; a fourth support column having a lower receiver and an upper receiver, said lower receiver of said fourth support column being configured to be removably mounted to said second portion of said seventh coupler, said upper receiver of said fourth support column being configured to be removably mounted to said second portion of said eighth coupler; and a third transverse member configured to be removably coupled between said third support column and said fourth support column.
9 . The modular weight station of claim 2 , further comprising a first coupler having a first portion and an opposite second portion, said first portion of said first coupler being configured to be removably mounted to at least one receiver of said first set of receivers, said second portion of said first coupler being configured to be removably mounted to an additional structural component.
10 . The modular weight station of claim 9 , wherein said first portion of said first coupler includes a closed-end of said first coupler, said closed-end being disposed to close said at least one receiver of said first set of receivers when said first coupler is mounted to said at least one receiver of said first set of receivers.
11 . The modular weight station of claim 9 , wherein: said at least one of said first set of receivers defines a set apertures; said first portion of said first coupler defines a set of apertures; and said set of apertures of said first coupler align with said set of apertures of said at least one receiver of said first set of receivers when said first coupler is mounted to said at least one of said first set of receivers.
12 . The modular weight station of claim 11 , wherein said set of apertures of said first portion of said first coupler are each aligned with a respective thread set of said first portion of said first coupler, said thread sets being configured to engage a threaded fastener.
13 . The modular weight station of claim 11 , wherein said second portion of said first coupler defines a set of apertures.
14 . The modular weight station of claim 13 , wherein: each aperture of said set of apertures of said first portion of said first coupler are spaced apart from one another a first distance; each aperture of said set of apertures of said second portion of said first coupler are spaced apart from one another a second distance; and said first distance is different than said second distance.
15 . The modular weight station of claim 13 , wherein said set of apertures of said second portion of said first coupler are each aligned with a respective thread set of said second portion of said first coupler.
16 . The modular weight station of claim 11 , further comprising a frame extender having a first portion and an opposite second portion, and wherein: said first portion of said frame extender is configured to be removably mounted to said second portion of said first coupler; said first portion of said frame extender defines a set of elongated apertures; said second portion of said first coupler defines a set of apertures; said set of elongated apertures of said first portion of said frame extender align with said set of apertures defined by said second portion of said first coupler when said first portion of said frame extender is mounted to said second portion of said first coupler.
17 . The modular weight station of claim 9 , wherein said coupler defines a first cable passage.
18 . The modular weight station of claim 17 , wherein said coupler defines a second cable passage.
19 . The modular weight station of claim 9 , wherein said at least one receiver of said first set of receivers includes an open end of a first section of square tube; and said coupler includes a second section of square tube configured to fit into said open end of said first section of square tube.
20 . The modular weight station of claim 19 , further comprising a frame extender formed from a third section of square tube having the same cross-sectional specifications as said first section of square tube, said second section of square tube being configured to fit into an open end of said third section of square tube.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/742,864, filed on Jun. 13, 2024 by at least one common inventor, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/683,824, filed on Mar. 1, 2022 by at least one common inventor, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/319,397, filed on May 13, 2021 by at least one common inventor, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/029,905, filed on May 26, 2020 by at least one common inventor, and also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/024,404, filed on May 13, 2020 by at least one common inventor, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their respective entireties. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to exercise equipment, and more particularly to free weight and cable weight stations. Description of the Background Art High quality exercise equipment can require a significant investment for commercial gymnasiums, schools, and other entities. Oftentimes, purchase decisions must balance available budget against desired features of the exercise equipment and compromises can be required. Later, when additional funds become available and new equipment is purchased, the previously purchased equipment can become obsolete or redundant. In addition, different purchasing entities can have different desires or requirements, with respect to the exercise equipment they purchase. It is difficult to predict such needs and desires in advance, and so it is difficult and/or costly to manufacture and maintain sufficient stock to be able to readily meet the varied demands of the different purchasing entities. As a result, it is common for high-end exercise equipment to be custom designed and built after an order for the equipment is placed. While keeping unsold inventory to a minimum, this practice significantly lengthens the time required to deliver purchased equipment. In addition, manufacturing processes for custom equipment are less efficient and, therefore, more expensive. SUMMARY The present invention overcomes the problems associated with the prior art by providing a core frame, to which modular components can be attached to realize a great multitude of equipment configurations. The invention facilitates building on to existing configurations without rendering the original equipment obsolete, eases inventory requirements, and improves lead times for custom equipment configuration and delivery. An example modular weight station includes a frame, a first set of receivers, and a second set of receivers. The frame includes a first support column, a second support column, and a cross support coupled between the first support column and the second support column. The first set of receivers is coupled to the frame and oriented to face in a first direction. Each receiver of the first set of receivers can be configured to removably engage an additional structural component. The second set of receivers is also coupled to the frame, but oriented to face in a second direction different from the first direction. Each receiver of the second set of receivers can also be configured to removably engage an additional structural component. The example modular weight station can additionally include a plurality of connectors; for example a first connector, a second connector, a third connector, and a fourth connector. The first support column can include a first upright and a second upright, and the second support column can include a third upright and a fourth upright. The cross support can include a first transverse member coupled between the first upright and the third upright, and the cross support can additionally include a second transverse member coupled between the second upright and the fourth upright. The first connector can be coupled between the first upright and the second upright, and the second connector can also be coupled between the first upright and the second upright. The third connector can be coupled between the third upright and the fourth upright, and the fourth connector can also be coupled between the third upright and the fourth upright. A first receiver of the first set of receivers can be fixed to a first end of the first connector, and a second receiver of the first set of receivers can be fixed to a first end of the second connector. A third receiver of the first set of receivers can be fixed to a first end of the third connector, and a fourth receiver of the first set of receivers can be fixed to a first end of the fourth connector. A first receiver of the second set of receivers can be fixed to a second end of the first connector, and a second receiver of the second set of receivers can be fixed to a second end of the second connector. A third receiver of the second set of receivers can be fixed to a second end of the third connector, and a fourth