Adjustable-incline climbing wall

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to an adjustable-incline climbing wall. The climbing wall comprises a climbing surface and a system for adjusting the climbing surface to a desired incline. By positioning the pivot point for the climbing surface in front of the bottom edge of the climbing surface, embodiments of the climbing wall minimize or eliminate the unusable “dead space” at the bottom of the climbing surface that is created when conventional adjustable climbing walls are placed at higher angles of incline. Moreover, by angling the legs of the support structure outward, embodiments of the climbing wall provide for an extended fall area that is free from obstructions, providing enhanced climber safety. Finally, embodiments of the climbing wall are freestanding structures, which are easily installable in a climber's home or personal gym without damage to floors or walls.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . An adjustable-incline climbing wall assembly comprising:
 a. one or more climbing panels, a front face or faces of which provide a climbing surface;   b. a plurality of climbing grips affixed to the climbing surface;   c. a system for supporting and adjusting the incline of the climbing surface, the system comprising
 i. one or more frame elements affixed to at least one of the one or more climbing panels, wherein the one or more frame elements comprises first and second forward-extending wings; 
 ii. a support structure comprising a first leg and a second leg; and 
 iii. one or more actuators configured to adjust the incline of the climbing surface to a plurality of angles within a permitted range; 
   wherein the first forward-extending wing is pivotably connected to the first leg at a pivot point positioned in front of a bottom edge of the climbing surface and the second forward-extending wing is pivotably connected to the second leg at a pivot point positioned in front of the bottom edge of the climbing surface.   
     
     
         2 . The adjustable-incline climbing wall assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the pivot points are positioned at least 6 inches in front of the bottom edge of the climbing surface when the climbing surface is at its lowest angle relative to vertical. 
     
     
         3 . The adjustable-incline climbing wall assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the pivot points are positioned at least 12 inches in front of the bottom edge of the climbing surface when the climbing surface is at its lowest angle relative to vertical. 
     
     
         4 . The adjustable-incline climbing wall assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure further comprises a rear crossbar connecting the first leg and the second leg. 
     
     
         5 . The adjustable-incline climbing wall assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first leg and the second leg are angled outward, such that the distance between a front end of the first leg and a front end of the second leg is greater than the distance between a rear end of the first leg and a rear end of the second leg. 
     
     
         6 . The adjustable-incline climbing wall assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more actuators comprise a pneumatic linear actuator, a hydraulic liner actuator, or an electric linear actuator. 
     
     
         7 . The adjustable-incline climbing wall assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more actuators are configured to be operated manually. 
     
     
         8 . The adjustable-incline climbing wall assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more frame elements further comprises a crossbar that spans between the first and second forward-extending wings. 
     
     
         9 . The adjustable-incline climbing wall assembly of  claim 1 , wherein adjustable-incline climbing wall assembly is configured so that the bottom edge of the climbing surface is positioned at a greater height above a ground surface on which the first and second legs rest when the climbing surface is at its highest angle relative to vertical than when the climbing surface is at its lowest angle relative to vertical. 
     
     
         10 . The adjustable-incline climbing wall assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the bottom edge of the climbing surface is positioned at least 8 inches above the ground surface when the climbing surface is at its highest angle relative to vertical. 
     
     
         11 . The adjustable-incline climbing wall assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the bottom edge of the climbing surface is positioned at least 15 inches above a ground surface when the climbing surface is at its highest angle relative to vertical. 
     
     
         12 . The adjustable-incline climbing wall assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the bottom edge of the climbing surface is positioned within 3 inches of the ground surface when the climbing surface is at its lowest angle relative to vertical. 
     
     
         13 . The adjustable-incline climbing wall assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the bottom edge of the climbing surface is positioned within 6 inches of the ground surface when the climbing surface is at its lowest angle relative to vertical. 
     
     
         14 . The adjustable-incline climbing wall assembly of  claim 9 , further comprising a kicker board;
 wherein, when the climbing surface is at its lowest angle relative to vertical, the kicker board is at least partially disposed behind a portion of the climbing surface.   
     
     
         15 . The adjustable-incline climbing wall assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the permitted range of angles includes at least a range between 20° and 60° relative to vertical. 
     
     
         16 . The adjustable-incline climbing wall assembly of  claim 15 , wherein
 the bottom edge of the climbing surface is positioned at least 12 inches above a ground surface on which the first and second legs rest when the climbing surface is placed at a 60° angle relative to vertical, and   the bottom edge of the climbing surface is positioned within 6 inches of the ground surface when the climbing surface is placed at a 20° angle relative to vertical.   
     
     
         17 . The adjustable-incline climbing wall assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable-incline climbing wall assembly is a freestanding unit. 
     
     
         18 . The adjustable-incline climbing wall of  claim 1 , wherein when the climbing surface is at its lowest angle relative to vertical, the bottom edge of the climbing surface is within 12 inches of a rearmost point of the climbing wall assembly. 
     
     
         19 . The adjustable-incline climbing wall of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more frame elements include an upper element, side elements having top surfaces, or both, that are least partially angled downward to reduce an overall height requirement of the climbing wall. 
     
     
         20 . The adjustable-incline climbing wall of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more actuators are positioned behind the one or more climbing panels.