Multi-purpose adjustable-incline climbing wall

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.

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. one or more linear actuators configured to extend or retract to position the climbing surface at one of a plurality of incline angles;   wherein a first end of each of the one or more actuators is connected to an actuator support frame and a second end of each of the one or more actuators is connected to the wall frame;   wherein each of the one or more actuators is movable between a first actuator attachment position and a second actuator attachment position by adjusting the second end of each of the one or more actuators along the wall frame and/or by adjusting an elevation of the first end of each of the one or more actuators relative to the ground surface;   wherein the one or more actuators may position the climbing surface within a first range of incline angles when the one or more actuators is in the first actuator attachment position and a second range of incline angles when the one or more actuators is in the second actuator attachment position, the second range of incline angles being different from the first range of incline angles.   
     
     
         2 . The adjustable-incline climbing wall of  claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more actuators is movable between a first actuator attachment position and a second actuator attachment position by adjusting the second end of each of the one or more actuators along the wall frame, and
 wherein adjusting the second end of each of the one or more actuators along the wall frame comprises sliding the second end of the respective actuator along a rail of the wall frame.   
     
     
         3 . The adjustable-incline climbing wall of  claim 2 , wherein one of the second end of the respective actuator and the wall frame comprises a slot and the other of the second end of the respective actuator and the wall frame comprises a projection that slides within the slot. 
     
     
         4 . The adjustable-incline climbing wall of  claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more actuators is movable between a first actuator attachment position and a second actuator attachment position by adjusting the second end of each of the one or more actuators along the wall frame, and
 wherein the second end of each of the one or more actuators is attached to a movable element of the wall frame.   
     
     
         5 . The adjustable-incline climbing wall of  claim 4 , wherein the movable element is a crossbar. 
     
     
         6 . The adjustable-incline climbing wall of  claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more actuators is movable between a first actuator attachment position and a second actuator attachment position by adjusting the second end of each of the one or more actuators along the wall frame, and
 wherein the second end of each of the one or more actuators is configured to be adjusted along the wall frame through an electronic control.   
     
     
         7 . The adjustable-incline climbing wall of  claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more actuators is movable between a first actuator attachment position and a second actuator attachment position by adjusting the second end of each of the one or more actuators along the wall frame, and
 wherein the second end of each of the one or more actuators is configured to be adjusted along the wall frame automatically as the incline angle of the climbing surface is adjusted.   
     
     
         8 . The adjustable-incline climbing wall of  claim 7 , wherein the adjustable-incline climbing wall is configured such that the incline angle of the climbing surface is adjusted through an electronic control. 
     
     
         9 . The adjustable-incline climbing wall of  claim 8 , wherein the electronic control is attached to a structural element of the adjustable-incline climbing wall. 
     
     
         10 . The adjustable-incline climbing wall of  claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more actuators is movable between a first actuator attachment position and a second actuator attachment position by adjusting an elevation of the first end of each of the one or more actuators relative to the ground surface, and
 wherein the actuator support frame comprises a vertical railing comprising a plurality of attachment points, such that a connection between the first end of the actuator and the actuator support frame may be provided at a plurality of elevations above the ground surface.   
     
     
         11 . The adjustable-incline climbing wall of  claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more actuators is movable between a first actuator attachment position and a second actuator attachment position by adjusting an elevation of the first end of each of the one or more actuators relative to the ground surface, and
 wherein a portion of the actuator support frame is movable between at least first and second positions by which the first end of the actuator may be provided at a plurality of elevations above the ground surface.   
     
     
         12 . The adjustable-incline climbing wall of  claim 11 , wherein the actuator support frame comprises one or more telescoping elements. 
     
     
         13 . The adjustable-incline climbing wall of  claim 11 , wherein the elevation of the first end of each of the one or more actuators is configured to be adjusted automatically as the incline angle of the climbing surface is adjusted. 
     
     
         14 . The adjustable-incline climbing wall of  claim 13 , wherein the adjustable-incline climbing wall is configured such that the incline angle of the climbing surface is adjusted through an electronic control. 
     
     
         15 . The adjustable-incline climbing wall of  claim 14 , further comprising a fixed frame element that hingedly supports a lower edge of the wall frame, wherein the fixed frame element comprises a front surface which provides a lower, fixed portion of the climbing surface. 
     
     
         16 . The adjustable-incline climbing wall of  claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more actuators is movable between a first actuator attachment position and a second actuator attachment position by adjusting an elevation of the first end of each of the one or more actuators relative to the ground surface, and
 wherein the elevation of the first end of each of the one or more actuators is configured to be adjusted through an electronic control.   
     
     
         17 . The adjustable-incline climbing wall of  claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more actuators is movable between a first actuator attachment position and a second actuator attachment position by adjusting an elevation of the first end of each of the one or more actuators relative to the ground surface, and
 wherein the elevation of the first end of each of the one or more actuators is configured to be adjusted automatically as the incline angle of the climbing surface is adjusted.   
     
     
         18 . The adjustable-incline climbing wall of  claim 17 , wherein the adjustable-incline climbing wall is configured such that the incline angle of the climbing surface is adjusted through an electronic control. 
     
     
         19 . The adjustable-incline climbing wall of  claim 18 , wherein the electronic control is attached to a structural element of the adjustable-incline climbing wall. 
     
     
         20 . The adjustable-incline climbing wall of  claim 1 , further comprising a fixed frame element that hingedly supports a lower edge of the wall frame, wherein the fixed frame element comprises a front surface which provides a lower, fixed portion of the climbing surface.