# US 5,341,941 A · Combined storage and exercise-therapy apparatus

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- Number: US 5,341,941 A
- Document ID: US5341941A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/082,997
- Filed: 1993-06-28
- Granted: 1994-08-30
- Earliest claimed: 1993-06-28
- Inventors: Thomas W. Marlor
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5341941A

## CPC

- A63B 23/14: for wrist joints
- F16M 11/041: {Allowing quick release of the apparatus}
- F16M 11/22: with approximately constant height, e.g. with constant length of column or of legs (F16M11/42 takes precedence)
- F16M 13/00: Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles (heads thereof F16M11/02 {; undercarriages thereof F16M11/20} ; adapted to be stuck in the ground A45F3/44 {; sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/22}); Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles {(supports for measuring instruments G01D11/30; supports for casings of remote control switching devices H01H9/025)}
- H01H 9/025: {Stands or organisers to facilitate location or operation}
- A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H)
- F16M: FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
- H01H: ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES (contact cables H01B7/10; electrolytic self-interrupters H01G9/18; emergency protective circuit arrangements H02H; switching by electronic means without contact-making H03K17/00)

## Abstract

A storage tower for holding an item, including a plurality of supporting side walls, an upper platform secured to the side walls, and grasping passages for handling the tower. Items are releasably secured to the tower. One type of item that may be attached to the tower is a hand exercise and manipulation device.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A storage apparatus for holding an item, comprising:
a) a plurality of supporting side walls, wherein each of said supporting side walls has a top border, a bottom border, and first and second side borders, wherein said first side border of each said side wall is secured to at least a portion of said second side border of another said side wall;
b) an upper platform secured to said side wall top borders;
c) means for releasable securing said item to said apparatus; and
d) first means for grasping said apparatus, wherein said first means for grasping said tower comprises a plurality of side apertures formed in said supporting side walls.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A storage tower according to claim 1, further comprising second means for grasping said tower via said upper platform.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

A storage tower according to claim 2, wherein said second grasping means comprises a plurality of upper apertures formed in said upper platform.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

A storage tower according to claim 3, wherein each of said side apertures aligns with one of said upper apertures to produce a grasping passage.

### Claim 5

A storage tower for holding an item, comprising:
a) a plurality of supporting side walls with each side wall having a top border, a bottom border, and first and second side borders, wherein said first side border of each said side wall is secured to at least a portion of said second side border of another said side wall;
b) first means for grasping said tower via said side walls;
c) an upper platform having upper and lower surfaces and a plurality of side edges, wherein said plurality of said side edges equals the plurality of supporting side walls and said upper platform is secured to said supporting side walls; and
d) means for releasable securing said item to said tower.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

A storage tower according to claim 5, wherein said first means for grasping said tower comprises a plurality of side apertures formed in said supporting side walls.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

A storage tower according to claim 5, further comprising second means for grasping said tower via said upper platform.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

A storage tower according to claim 7, wherein said second grasping means comprises a plurality of upper apertures formed in said upper platform, wherein each of said side apertures aligns with one of said upper apertures to produce a grasping passage.

### Claim 9

A storage tower for holding an item, comprising:
a) a plurality of supporting side walls with each side wall having inner and outer surfaces, a narrow top border, a wide bottom border, and first and second side borders, wherein said first side border of each said side wall is secured to at least a portion of said second side border of another said side wall to form a generally truncated pyramidal-shaped structure;
b) first means for grasping said tower via said side walls;
c) an upper platform having upper and lower surfaces and a plurality of side edges, wherein said plurality of said side edges equals the plurality of supporting side walls and said upper platform is secured to said supporting side walls;
d) second means for grasping said tower via said upper platform;
e) means for releasable securing the item to said outer tower surface; and
f) an internal storage volume within said plurality of supporting side walls.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

A storage tower according to claim 9, wherein said first means for grasping said tower comprises a plurality of side apertures formed in said supporting side walls.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

A storage tower according to claim 10, wherein said second grasping means comprises a plurality of upper apertures formed in said upper platform, wherein each of said side apertures aligns with one of said upper apertures to produce a grasping passage.

### Claim 12

A storage tower, comprising:
a) a plurality of supporting side walls with each side wall having inner and outer surfaces, a narrow top border, a wide bottom border, and first and second side borders, wherein said first side border of each said side wall is secured to at least a portion of said second side border of another said side wall to form a generally truncated pyramidal-shaped structure; p1 b) first means for grasping said tower via said side walls, wherein said first means for grasping said tower comprises a plurality of side apertures formed in said supporting side walls;
c) an upper platform having inner and outer surfaces and a plurality of side edges, wherein said plurality of said side edges equals the plurality of supporting side walls and said upper platform is secured to said supporting side walls;
d) second means for grasping said tower via said upper platform, wherein said second grasping means comprises a plurality of upper apertures formed in said upper platform, wherein each of said side apertures aligns with one of said upper apertures to produce a grasping passage;
e) an item for attachment to said outer wall or outer platform surfaces;
f) means for releasable securing said item to said tower; and
g) an internal storage volume within said plurality of supporting side walls.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

A storage tower according to claim 12, wherein said item for attachment comprises means for assisting a user in exercising said user's hand.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

A method of utilizing by a user said tower according to claim 13, comprising the steps of:
a) attaching said exercise assistance means to said tower and
b) manipulating said exercise assistance means.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

A method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of removing said exercise assistance means from said tower.