Corner member for a supportive frame assembly

{
  "publication_number": "US10973324B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Corner member for a supportive frame assembly",
  "abstract": "A frame corner member includes an elongated hollow extrusion having a central corner portion and two leg portions extending from the central portion. Each leg portion includes an inner side wall spaced from and parallel to an outer side wall, and merging with the central portion. An outer end wall joins the inner and outer side walls, which each include an inner surface facing the inner surface of the other side wall. An opening through the outer end wall defines a space between the inner and outer side walls adjacent one end of the extrusion for receiving one end of one of frame side members and end members. At least one of the inner surfaces in the space has discrete surface features adapted to grip and retain the one end of one of the side members and end members in the space when received through the opening.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A corner member for joining a side member to one of a head and a foot member of a rectangular frame having parallel side members joining the head and foot members, the corner member comprising: a single elongated hollow metal extrusion having, in cross section, a central corner portion and two leg portions each extending from the central corner portion at a right angle to the other leg portion, each leg portion having an inner side wall spaced from an outer side wall parallel to the inner side wall and merging with the central corner portion, and an outer end wall joining the inner and outer side walls; the inner and outer side walls each having an inner surface facing the inner surface of the other side wall, and a rectangular opening through the outer end wall defining a space between the inner and outer side walls adjacent one end of the extrusion for receiving one end of one of the frame side members and end members; wherein at least one of the inner surfaces of the side walls in the space has discrete rigid surface features adapted to grip and retain the one end of one of the side members and end members in the space when received through the opening; and wherein the central corner portion has a circular cross section portion tangent to each outer side wall and a straight inner connecting wall joining the inner side wall of each leg portion.",
    "2. The corner member of claim 1, wherein at least one of the two leg portions has at least one pair of holes defined through the inner and outer side walls.",
    "3. The corner member of claim 2, wherein the at least one pair of holes are adapted to receive a fastener therethrough to fasten the one end of one of the side members and end members in the space.",
    "4. The corner member of claim 1, wherein the surface features include a plurality of ribs extending across the opening.",
    "5. The corner member of claim 1, wherein each leg portion further includes a corner wall of the central corner portion joining the inner and outer side walls.",
    "6. The corner member of claim 5, wherein at least one of the corner wall, the outer end wall, the inner side wall, and the outer side wall includes a screw race.",
    "7. A corner member for use in a rectangular frame having two parallel side members each joining one of a head end member and a foot end member, each corner member comprising: a single elongated hollow metal extrusion having an axis and, in cross section, a central corner portion and two leg portions each extending from the central portion at a right angle to the other leg portion, each leg portion having an inner side wall spaced from an outer side wall parallel to the inner side wall and merging with the central portion, and an outer end wall joining the inner and outer side walls; the inner and outer side walls each having an inner surface facing the inner surface of the other side wall, and a rectangular opening through the outer end wall defining a space between the inner and outer side walls adjacent one end of the extrusion for receiving one end of one of the side members and end members; wherein at least one of the inner surfaces of the side walls in the space has discrete rigid surface features adapted to engage the one end of one of the side members and end members in the space when received through the opening; and wherein the central corner portion has a circular cross section portion tangent to each outer side wall and a straight inner connecting wall joining the inner side wall of each leg portion.",
    "8. The corner member of claim 7, wherein at least one of the two leg portions has at least one pair of holes defined through the inner and outer side walls.",
    "9. The corner member of claim 8, wherein the at least one pair of holes are adapted to receive a fastener therethrough to fasten the one end of one of the side members and end members in the space.",
    "10. The corner member of claim 7, wherein the surface features include a plurality of ribs extending along the inner surface of at least one of the inner wall or the outer wall.",
    "11. The corner member of claim 7, wherein each leg portion further includes a corner wall of the central corner portion joining the inner and outer side walls.",
    "12. The corner member of claim 11, wherein at least one of the corner wall, the outer end wall, the inner side wall, and the outer side wall includes a screw race.",
    "13. The corner member according to claim 7 wherein the surface features are on each of the inner surfaces of the inner wall and the outer wall.",
    "14. The corner member according to claim 10 wherein the ribs extend along the surface parallel to the extrusion axis."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present disclosure relates to structurally supportive frames. In particular, it relates to corner members for a physical exercise apparatus frame such as a reformer.\n\nExercise machines such as reformers utilized in the performance of physical exercises originated by Joseph Pilates include supportive frames. The frames typically include side members and end members coupled together to form a rectangular frame to support and elevate the remainder of the reformer above a surface such as a floor.\n\nFIG. 1 is a perspective view of a known reformer exercise apparatus 100. The reformer exercise apparatus 100 includes a rectangular frame 102 that provides structural support for various other constituent parts of the reformer exercise apparatus 100 (also referred to herein simply as a “reformer”). The frame 102 includes a head end member 104 positioned at one end of the reformer 100. The frame 102 also includes a foot end member 106 positioned at an end of the reformer 100 that is opposite the head end member 104. The head 104 and foot 106 end members of the frame 102 join two parallel side members 110 and typically form a leg 108 at each corner.\n\nThe reformer 100 also includes a carriage 114. The carriage 114 is positioned between the side members 110 of the frame 102 for movement between the head 104 and foot 106 end members of the frame 102 on tracks carried by and between the side members 110. The carriage 114 includes shoulder stops 116 and the carriage 114 accommodates the weight of a user of the reformer 100.",
  "cpc": [
    "A47B 91/00",
    "A47B 95/043",
    "A63B 21/00065",
    "A63B 21/023",
    "A63B 21/0428",
    "A63B 21/4027",
    "A63B 21/4029",
    "A63B 22/0089",
    "F16B 12/14",
    "F16B 12/30",
    "F16B 12/40",
    "F16B 12/52"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "A47B 91/00",
    "A47B 95/04",
    "A63B 21/00",
    "A63B 22/00",
    "F16B 12/14",
    "F16B 12/30",
    "F16B 12/40",
    "F16B 12/52"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Balanced Body Inc"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Ken Endelman",
    "Kit W. Spelman"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2020-09-30",
  "publication_date": "2021-04-13",
  "grant_date": "2021-04-13",
  "priority_date": "2017-11-13",
  "application_number": "US-202017039689-A",
  "family_id": "66431557",
  "cited_by_count": 0,
  "citations": [
    "US20030195095A1",
    "US7802408B2",
    "US20050138729A1",
    "US20130017935A1",
    "US20150043968A1",
    "KR200465564Y1",
    "US20170209784A1"
  ]
}