Adjustable pull down exercise bar

Abstract

A pivotally adjustable pull bar for attachment to an exercise apparatus. The pull bar has handles carried on a handle shaft that are pivotally adjustable about a longitudinal axis of the pull bar. The adjustment permits the pull bar to be configured for a variety of pulling exercises to develop muscle groups based on the orientation of the handles relative to the pull bar. The handle shaft and handles may also be pivoted to a stowed position where the handles are folded inwardly to the center of the bar, thereby reducing the length of the bar for shipping and transport.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An adjustable pull bar for an exercise apparatus, comprising:
 an elongate center bar having a first end and a second end,   an attachment point at a midpoint of the center bar, the attachment point configured to selectively attach the elongate bar to a connection the exercise apparatus,   a handle shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end pivotally coupled to each of the first end and the second end, wherein each handle shaft is angularly adjustable about a longitudinal axis of the center bar to one of a plurality of selectable pull positions; and   a handle grip disposed at the distal end and configured to be gripped by a user to perform a pulling exercise.   
     
     
         2 . The adjustable pull bar of  claim 1 , wherein the handle shaft is adjustable to a stowed position in which the distal end of the handle shaft is positioned proximal to the attachment point and the handle shaft is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the center bar. 
     
     
         3 . The adjustable pull bar of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a pair of bracket plates secured to a lateral sides of the center bar at each of the first and second ends wherein the pair of bracket plates define a channel configured to receive the proximal end of the handle shaft;   an axially aligned pivot hole extending through the pair of bracket plates configured to receive a pivot pin through the pair of bracket plates and a corresponding pivot hole defined through the proximal end of the handle shaft.   
     
     
         4 . The adjustable pull bar of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a plurality of pull adjustment apertures defined in axially opposed pairs through the pair of bracket plates in a spaced apart relation; and   a corresponding pull adjustment aperture defined through an intermediate portion of the handle shaft.   
     
     
         5 . The adjustable pull bar of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a pull adjustment pin configured to be captively received through the axially opposed pair and the corresponding pull adjustment aperture to secure the handle shaft in one of plurality of pull down positions.   
     
     
         6 . The adjustable pull bar of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a stow aperture defined through the pair of bracket plates configured to retain the handle shaft in the stowed position.   
     
     
         7 . An adjustable pull bar for an exercise apparatus, comprising:
 an elongate center bar having an attachment point at a midpoint of the center bar, the attachment point configured to selectively connect to the exercise apparatus,   a handle shaft having a proximal end pivotally coupled to each of a first end and a second end of the center bar, wherein each handle shaft is angularly adjustable about a longitudinal axis of the center bar between a stowed position and one of a plurality of selectable pull positions.   
     
     
         8 . The adjustable pull bar of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a pair of bracket plates secured to a lateral sides of the center bar at each of the first and second ends wherein the pair of bracket plates define a channel configured to receive the proximal end of the handle shaft;   an axially aligned pivot hole extending through the pair of bracket plates configured to receive a pivot pin through the pair of bracket plates and a corresponding pivot hole defined through the proximal end of the handle shaft.   
     
     
         9 . The adjustable pull bar of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a plurality of pull adjustment apertures defined in axially opposed pairs through the pair of bracket plates; and   a corresponding pull adjustment aperture defined through an intermediate portion of the handle shaft.   
     
     
         10 . The adjustable pull bar of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a pull adjustment pin configured to be captively received through the axially opposed pair and the corresponding pull adjustment aperture to secure the handle shaft in one of plurality of pull down positions.   
     
     
         11 . The adjustable pull bar of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a handle grip attached to the distal end of the handle shaft, the handle grip configured to be grasped by a user for one or more pulling exercises.