U.S. patent application number 10/154240 was filed with the patent office on 2003-06-19 for arm, leg, and body stretching device.
Invention is credited to Rigas, Peter E..
Application Number | 20030114278 10/154240 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46280646 |
Filed Date | 2003-06-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030114278 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rigas, Peter E. |
June 19, 2003 |
Arm, leg, and body stretching device
Abstract
The present invention is a modular component leg, arm, and
body-stretching device. It includes a main winding component having
a handle and at least one cable functionally connected to and
capable of being wound toward the handle. The handle contains a one
directional winding mechanism and a trigger, wherein when the
trigger is depressed, the cable advances toward the handle. The
handle also has a release mechanism to release the cable from the
winding mechanism. The main winding component has an auxiliary
component attachment at one end thereof for attachment, directly or
indirectly, of a foot or hand auxiliary component. The foot
auxiliary component is for leg and body exercise, and may be a loop
or may be a rigid base for placement of a foot thereon, with a foot
securing mechanism to hold a foot in place. The hand auxiliary
component is for arm and body exercises, and includes a handle for
placement of a hand thereon and has at least one main winding
component attachment mechanism for attachment to the cable. There
may also be a yoke for connection between the main component and
the auxiliary components.
Inventors: |
Rigas, Peter E.; (Lower
Makefield, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KENNETH P. GLYNN, ESQ.,
24 Mine Street
Flemington
NJ
08822-1598
US
|
Family ID: |
46280646 |
Appl. No.: |
10/154240 |
Filed: |
May 22, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10154240 |
May 22, 2002 |
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10022449 |
Dec 17, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
482/116 ;
482/74 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/0004 20130101;
A63B 2023/006 20130101; A63B 21/157 20130101; A63B 21/153 20130101;
A63B 21/0023 20130101; A63B 21/4015 20151001; A61H 1/0218
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/116 ;
482/74 |
International
Class: |
A63B 071/00; A63B
021/015 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A modular component leg and body stretching device, which
comprises: (a) a main winding plate component having a handle and
at least one cable functionally connected to and capable of being
wound into said handle, said handle containing a ratcheted winding
reel mechanism and a trigger wherein when said trigger is
depressed, said advance reel winds said at least one cable toward
said 110 handle, said handle also having a release mechanism to
release a ratchet of said reel so as to permit unwinding of said at
least one cable from said reel, said cable having auxiliary
component attachment means at one end thereof, and, (b) a foot
auxiliary component attachable to said attachment means of said at
least one cable for leg and body exercise, said foot auxiliary
component having a base for placement of a foot thereon, and having
at least one main winding component attachment means for attachment
to said attachment means of said at least one cable.
2. The modular component leg and body stretching device of claim 1
wherein said base is a rigid base and said foot auxiliary component
includes foot securing means to hold said base to a foot.
3. The modular component leg and body stretching device of claim 2
wherein said securing means of said foot auxiliary component is two
separate side attachment means, one being located on a first side
of said rigid base and another being located on a second side of
said rigid base, and located opposite one another.
4. The modular component leg and body stretching device of claim 2
wherein said securing means of said foot auxiliary component
includes a toe attachment means located on a front area of said
rigid base and at least two separate side attachment means, one
being located on a first side of said rigid base and another being
located on a second side of said rigid base, and located opposite
one another.
5. The modular component leg and body stretching device of claim 4
wherein which further includes: (a) a yoke having three separate
elongated members, each having a first and a second end and being
connected to one another at said first end and having means for
attachment to said main winding component at said first end, and
each being unconnected to one another at said second end.
6. The modular component leg and body stretching device of claim 1
wherein said main winding component has two cables.
7. The modular component leg and body stretching device of claim 1
wherein one of said auxiliary component attachment means and said
main winding component attachment means is an eyelet and the other
is a hook adapted to connect to said eyelet.
8. The modular component leg and body stretching device of claim 1
wherein said foot auxiliary component further includes a handle
extended over a portion of a top of said component, and a plurality
of wheels on its underside thereof for handle-held prone arm and
body exercises.
9. The modular component leg and arm body stretching device of
claim 1 wherein said base for placement of a foot thereon is a
loop.
10. A modular component arm and body stretching device, which
comprises: (a) a main winding component having a handle and at
least one cable functionally connected to and capable of being
wound into said handle, said handle containing a ratcheted winding
reel mechanism and a trigger wherein when said trigger is
depressed, said advance reel winds said at least one cable toward
said handle, said handle also having a release mechanism to release
a ratchet of said reel so as to permit unwinding of said at least
one cable from said reel, said cable having auxiliary component
attachment means at one end thereof; and, (b) a hand auxiliary
component attachable to said attachment means of said at least one
cable for arm and body exercises, said hand auxiliary component
having a handle for placement of a hand thereon and having at least
one main winding component attachment means for attachment to said
attachment means of said at least one cable.
11. The modular component arm and body stretching device of claim
10 wherein said hand auxiliary component includes a handle, a rigid
brace member connected to said handle and at least one attachment
means connected to said rigid brace member for attachment to said
attachment means of said at least one cable.
12. The modular component arm and body stretching device of claim
10 wherein one of said auxiliary component attachment means and
said main advance plate component attachment means is an eyelet and
the other is a hook adapted to connect to said eyelet.
13. A modular component leg, arm, and body stretching device, which
comprises: (a) a main winding component having a handle and at
least one cable functionally connected to and capable of being
wound into said handle, said handle containing a ratcheted winding
reel mechanism and a trigger wherein when said trigger is
depressed, said advance reel winds said at least one cable toward
said handle, said handle also having a release mechanism to release
a ratchet of said reel so as to permit unwinding of said at least
one cable from said reel, said cable having auxiliary component
attachment means at one end thereof; (b) a foot auxiliary component
attachable to said attachment means of said at least one cable for
leg and body exercise, said foot auxiliary component having a base
for placement of a foot thereon, and having at least one main
winding component attachment means for attachment to said
attachment means of said at least one cable; and, (c) a hand
auxiliary component attachable to said attachment means of said at
least one cable for arm and body exercises, said hand auxiliary
component having a handle for placement of a hand thereon and
having at least one main winding component attachment means for
attachment to said attachment means of said at least one cable.
14. The modular component leg, arm, and body stretching device of
claim 13 wherein said base is a rigid base and said foot auxiliary
component includes foot securing means to hold said base to a
foot.
15. The modular component leg, arm, and body stretching device of
claim 14 wherein said securing means of said foot auxiliary
component is two separate side attachment means, one being located
on a first side of said rigid base and another being located on a
second side of said rigid base, and located opposite one
another.
16. The modular component leg, arm, and body stretching device of
claim 14 wherein said securing means of said foot auxiliary
component includes a toe attachment means located on a front area
of said rigid base and at least two separate side attachment means,
one being located on a first side of said rigid base and another
being located on a second side of said rigid base, and located
opposite one another.
17. The modular component leg, arm, and body stretching device of
claim 16 wherein which further includes: (a) a yoke having three
separate elongated members, each having a first and a second end
and being connected to one another at said first end and having
means for attachment to said main component at said first end, and
each being unconnected to one another at said second end.
18. The modular component leg, arm, and body stretching device of
claim 13 wherein one of said auxiliary component attachment means
and said main winding component attachment means is an eyelet and
the other is a hook adapted to connect to said eyelet.
19. The modular component leg, arm, and body stretching device of
claim 13 wherein said foot auxiliary component further includes a
handle extended over a portion of a top of said component, and a
plurality of wheels on its underside thereof for handle-held prone
arm and body exercises.
20. The modular component leg, arm, and body stretching device of
claim 13 wherein said hand auxiliary component includes a handle, a
rigid brace member connected to said handle and at least one
attachment means connected to said rigid brace member for
attachment to said attachment means of said at least one cable.
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of copending U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 10/022,449, filed on Dec. 17, 2002, by
the same inventor herein, and entitled "Modular Component Arm, Leg,
and Body Stretching Device."
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to exercise devices for arm,
leg, and body stretches. More specifically, the present invention
relates to a modular component device which contains a main winding
component and separate foot and hand components which are removably
attachable to the main winding component. Thus, a user may rely
upon the same physical mechanism to perform leg and body stretches
and arm stretches by interchanging the other modular
components.
[0004] 2. Information Disclosure Statement
[0005] The following patents are representative of the state of the
art for leg, arm, and body stretching devices:
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,762,592 describes a leg multi-muscle stretch
apparatus for physical therapy that includes a foot carriage
mounted to a carriage guide track and permitting the foot carriage
to move back and forth along a foot carriage path, for
therapeutically stretching a user foot and user leg with
reciprocating motion, and a user support structure pivotally
connected the carriage track. The apparatus preferably additionally
includes user handle grips and two elongate arm members pivotally
connected to the carriage guide track, where the handle grips are
connected to the elongate arm members. The user support structure
preferably includes a platform structure including two parallel and
laterally spaced apart beam members and a planar web member
extending between and supported by the beam members. The apparatus
preferably additionally includes two cable and cable pulley
mechanisms, each including a series of cables forming a cable loop
extending along the user support structure, along the carriage
guide track and along the arm members, and then back to the user
support structure, and a series of pulleys rotatably mounted to the
user support structure and to the carriage guide track for guiding
the cable loop being connected to the foot carriage to reciprocate
with the foot carriage.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,261,868 describes an exercise device
including an elongated upright ladder section which has at an upper
end a body support section. There is a base adapted to rest on a
horizontal surface and support in a stable, vertical orientation
the upright section. The body support section includes a seat rest
support member oriented substantially horizontally and adapted to
be sat upon by a user and a second support member spaced from the
seat rest support member and adapted to be gripped by the user with
either legs or hands depending on the exercise being performed. A
generally flat, planar, back support has its upper end pivotally
mounted to the seat rest support member and a lower free end
movable between a first position where the back support is
generally vertical and a second position where the back support
pivots and is at an acute angle with respect to the upright
section.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 4,687,197 describes the present invention that
relates to exercise equipment, more particularly to an exercise
machine that gives the exerciser a variety of movements based on a
single concept (that of the pivot), working the whole body without
having to change equipment. The apparatus includes a frame having a
seat, a vertically extending rod pivotally coupled to the frame and
a handle pivotally coupled to the end of the rod. The dual pivoting
connections facilitate an exercise movement similar to the paddling
motion used with a kayak.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 4,666,154 describes an exercise device that
has two side bars each comprising a longitudinal segment extending
between front and rear legs. The angle and length of the front and
rear legs produces an incline of the longitudinal segment. The
angle of incline is variable because the front and rear legs are
separately adjustable in length. Slip locks selectively lock each
leg at a desired length. Cross bars connected between the side bars
by quick release locks. A central longitudinal bar parallel to the
side bars extends between a selected two of the cross bars and is
connected thereto by quick release locks.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 4,314,697 describes a physical exercising
device that is provided compromising a padded wedge-shaped base and
a string-biased metal exercise bar. The exercise bar is attached
near the wedge's apex and extends lengthwise parallel to the device
at a predetermined distance from the wedge. The physical exercising
device has its base formed from a lightweight material and
additionally may have its body support surfaces covered with a
layer of carpet or foam padding. The spring which has its one end
attached to the exercise bar has its opposite end secured to the
end panel of the wedge-shaped base to provide a biasing force. The
ends of the metal bar are inserted through apertures in the end
panel and terminate in the interior of the physical exercising
device. The exercise bar may be of a unitary piece of tubular metal
or a single metal tube with two gripping portions which may or my
not be independently operable.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 4,132,404 describes a leg stretching exercise
device which has two platforms, each adapted to support a foot of
an exerciser. Each platform is provided with ball casters which
provide support and allow free movement in a mutual plane. The
platforms are attached so they may be placed in touching
relationship and moved apart a predetermined distance by the
exerciser. A rope connects a single point on each platform. The
connecting rope defines a loop which passes through eyelets,
secured to each platform. An adjustable connection is provided for
varying the size of the loop as desired.
[0012] Notwithstanding the prior art, the present invention is
neither taught nor rendered obvious thereby.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The present invention is a modular component leg, arm, and
body-stretching device. It includes a main winding component having
a handle and at least one cable functionally connected to and
capable of being wound toward said handle. The handle contains a
ratcheted winding reel mechanism and a trigger wherein when the
trigger is depressed, the reel winds the cable toward the handle.
The handle also has a release mechanism to release a ratchet of the
reel so as to permit the unwinding of the cable away from the
handle. The cable has an auxiliary component attachment at one end
thereof for attachment, directly or indirectly, of a foot or hand
auxiliary component. The foot auxiliary component is for leg and
body exercise, and has a rigid base for placement of a foot
thereon, having a foot securing mechanism to hold a foot in place.
There is also at least one attachment on the foot auxiliary
component for connection with the cable. The hand auxiliary
component is also attachable to the cable, for arm and body
exercises, and includes a handle for placement of a hand thereon
and has at least one cable attachment for connection to the cable.
There may also be a yoke for connection between the main component
and the auxiliary components.
[0014] In some embodiments of the present invention, there is only
a main winding component with either an auxiliary foot component or
an auxiliary hand component, while in other embodiments, both an
auxiliary foot component and an auxiliary hand component are
included.
[0015] In some embodiments of the present invention, the securing
means of the foot auxiliary component is a flexible loop or a rigid
yoke (like a stirrup), while in other embodiments it may be a rigid
base with means for attachment to a foot. In other embodiments, the
foot auxiliary component includes a toe attachment means located on
a front area of the rigid base. In other embodiments of the present
invention modular component leg and body stretching device, the
securing means of the foot auxiliary component is two separate side
attachment means, one being located on a first side of a rigid base
and another being located on a second side of the rigid base, and
located opposite one another. In other preferred present invention
embodiments, the toe and the two-side attachment means are all
included.
[0016] In some preferred present invention embodiments, there is a
yoke having three separate elongated members, each having a first
and a second end and being connected to one another at the first
end and having means for attachment to the main advance plate
component the first end, and each being unconnected to one another
at its second end.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The present invention should be more fully understood when
the specification herein is taken in conjunction with the drawings
appended hereto wherein:
[0018] FIG. 1a shows a front view of one preferred embodiment of a
main winding component of a present invention modular component
leg, arm, and body stretching device with a hand auxiliary
component attached thereto, and in FIG. 1a, with a foot auxiliary
component attached thereto;
[0019] FIG. 2 shows a front view of a present invention hand
auxiliary component in a partially cut view to reveal internal
working aspects of the ratchets and reel:
[0020] FIG. 3 shows a cut partial view of another present invention
main advance plate component, illustrating alternative internal
mechanical features;
[0021] FIG. 4 illustrates an interconnecting yoke which is an
optional component utilized in the present invention;
[0022] FIGS. 5 and 6 show a top view and a partial, cut rear view
of one preferred embodiment of the present invention auxiliary foot
component;
[0023] FIG. 7 shows a side partial view of an alternative
embodiment auxiliary foot component of the present invention
device;
[0024] FIG. 8 shows a side partial view of another alternative
embodiment auxiliary foot component of the present invention
device; and,
[0025] FIG. 9 shows an alternative preferred embodiment main
advance plate component of a present invention device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0026] Referring now to FIG. 1a, but using the same main winding
component shown in FIG. 1a to operate the partially illustrated
aspects of FIG. 1b, there is shown a present invention modular
component stretching device main winding component 1. This is the
functional element of the present invention and FIG. 1a shows a
single cable preferred embodiment. Thus, main winding component 1
includes a housing 3 with a handle 7 and a trigger 9 for grasping
by a user's fingers. Thus, handle 7 is grasped with the hand, with
the fingers curled toward the palm area around trigger 9 when in
use.
[0027] There is a single one way cable 15 which passes through
housing 3. By "one way" is meant that is functionally advanced in
one direction (toward housing 3) by trigger 9 activation. It is
capable of being moved in the opposite direction manually by
sliding when a release is applied. Cable 15 is connected to an
internal reel (not shown) inside housing 3. As its second end 25 is
an attachment ring 27, comprising an auxiliary component attachment
means. This is used to attach foot auxiliary components for leg and
body stretching exercises, as well as hand auxiliary components for
arm and body stretching exercises.
[0028] Winding reel movement is accomplished by repeat squeezing of
trigger 9 to advance cable 15 so as to move second end 25 toward
housing 3. Release button 29 holds cable 15 and the ratchets and
reel from moving end 25 away from housing 3, but permits moving end
25 toward housing 3 when trigger 9 is squeezed. When button 29 is
squeezed to unlock a ratchet and release the reel and cable 15,
second end 25 may be pulled away from housing 3 to reset it for
subsequent use. Release of button 29 allows a spring (not shown) to
automatically relock button 29 to only permit one way movement
(toward housing 3) of cable 15.
[0029] FIG. 1a also shows one type of hand auxiliary component 50
used in the present invention device. Component 50 includes a
handle member 51 with optional finger grooves 53, 55, 57 and 59 and
grip 61 as shown. On the opposite side is hook 63 for attachment to
ring 27 of cable 15 of main winding component of FIG. 1a. When main
winding component 1 and hand auxiliary component 50 are connected
to one another, a user may hold handle 7 in one hand and component
50 in the other hand, and while holding the device as such, may
move the hands overhead and behind the back with the arm of the
hand of handle 7 outstretched. The user may then repeatedly
compress trigger 9 to shorten the distance of second end 25 and
housing 3 to effect arm and upper body stretching. Depression of
release button 29 will release the tension when the user has
completed the stretching exercises.
[0030] FIG. 1b shows a partial cut view which includes cable 15
which extends from main winding component 1 of FIG. 1a, but cut
from FIG. 1b. It is connected to foot auxiliary component 350. This
includes hook 363 connected to ring 27, and forms a rigid or
flexible loop or yoke for bare foot or covered foot insertion.
Thus, loop 351 includes a base area 359 and rounded sides, such as
rounded side 353, for more accurate fitage and comfort.
[0031] The ring 27 and hook 63 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 could easily
be substituted with any known attachment/detachment mechanism
without exceeding the scope of the present invention. Likewise, the
particular handle design, advance plate mechanism and release
mechanism could be designed in a different fashion or placed in a
different position without exceeding the scope of the present
invention.
[0032] FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of, and the working
mechanism of a main winding component of the present invention. The
FIG. 2 component 41 of the present invention comprises a cable 45
having a front end extending beyond the shown truncated end, with
an attachment means for attachment of an auxiliary component
thereto, such as described above and below. It has a rear end
attached to reel 47. Both reel 47 and ratchet wheel 19 are
interlocked and travel together. Trigger 29 is squeezed to cause
winding bar 71's pushing end 73 to advance (wind) ratchet wheel 19
and take-up reel 47 one ratchet forward. This enables trigger
action to wind in cable 45 toward body 13 of component 41. There is
a spring 75 that maintains trigger 29 in its firing position and
enables reel 47 and ratchet reel 19 to rotate counterclockwise and
to "pull" cable 45 away from body 13.
[0033] However, pawl 21 acts as a release mechanism. Pawl 21 is
biased by a spring (not shown) to be in the position shown in FIG.
2. In this position shown, pawl 21 locks the ratchets to permit
only clockwise (winding) movement and to prevent counterclockwise
(unwinding) movement. When lever 43 is moved counterclockwise, it
moves pawl 21 away from the ratchets and permits reel movement in
both directions, but especially to permit unwinding of cable 45 to
reset for reuse.
[0034] Cable 45 is shown as a high pull test polymer cord, but
could be woven or unwoven synthetic or natural cable, metal,
plastic-coated metal, or chain, or strap (e.g. leather or nylon
web), or any other equivalent high strength, elongated, flexible,
windable material or combinations of materials. By use of the
aforesaid components with foot and hand auxiliary components, the
device is used to move feet towards the shoulders in the lying back
position, to bring an arm swing behind the neck to its maximum
stretch, etc. The trigger may be squeezed rapidly or, move
preferably, slowly, even over a timed period. By these movements,
foot and/or arm, and/or body stretching exercises may be
achieved.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 3, another present invention main winding
component 30 is shown. It differs from the FIG. 2 embodiment in
that it has a hollow looped handle 32, through which cable 25
extends. Otherwise, aspects identical to those of FIG. 2 are
identically numbered.
[0036] In this FIG. 3 embodiment, cable 23 travels from the reel
47, over pulley wheel 35 and out the center of loop handle 32 to
provide center balance of the cable 23 relative to the hard
position of a user when component 30 is held. The component 30
otherwise operates like components 1 and 41, shown in FIGS. 1a and
2, respectively, and described with respect to FIG. 2.
[0037] FIG. 4 illustrates a yoke 85, which is sometimes used in
connection with an auxiliary foot component, but may be used with
an auxiliary hand component (such as for extra reach) or could even
be attached to a wall eyelet for other exercises such as tilted
upper arm and body exercises. Yoke 85 includes three separate
elongated members 87, 89, and 91. They are connected to one another
at the top end with hook 93 affixed thereto and with hook 95, 97,
and 99 at the opposite ends. Elongated members, 87, 89, and 91 may
be flexible or rigid, but if rigid, should be hingeable at hook 93.
Further details on yoke 85's uses are set forth below.
[0038] FIGS. 5 and 6 show a top and cut end view, respectively, of
an auxiliary foot component 100 of the present invention. Identical
parts are identically numbered in FIGS. 5 and 6. Auxiliary foot
component 100 includes a rigid base 101 with a front hook 103 and
side eyelets 105 and 107, opposing one another. Hook 103 is fixed
and eyelets 105 and 107 are springloaded and adjustable by front or
back movement in tracks 109 and 11, respectively. There is a set of
foot straps 113 and 115, with buckles 121 and 123, as well as heel
strap 117 for attachment to a foot. This foot mechanism is included
for attachment of auxiliary foot component 100 to a foot, but any
known attachment mechanism could be used without exceeding the
scope of the present invention. For example, boots could be affixed
to rigid base 101, instead of the straps. Alternatively, quick
release buckles such as are used on skis or even the types of foot
securing means found on water skis could be used.
[0039] Hook 103 may be attached directly to attachment ring 27 of
main winding component 1 shown in FIG. 1 and by operating the main
winding component 1 of FIG. 1 to shorten the distance between cable
second end 25 and housing 3, various leg and body stretching
exercises are accomplished, such as hamstring stretches.
[0040] Alternatively, yoke 85 of FIG. 4 may be used as an
interconnecting member between attachment ring 27 of FIG. 1 and
hook 103 of FIG. 5.
[0041] For other exercises, hooks 95, 97, and 99 of yoke 85 of FIG.
4 may be attached to hook 103 and eyelets 105 and 107 of auxiliary
foot component 100 of FIG. 5, to create a three-point hitch. For
example, this arrangement may be used for spread eagle upper leg
and abdominal exercises.
[0042] In one preferred embodiment of the present invention
auxiliary foot component, wheels such as flat wheels or ball
bearing wheels would be included in the walls and/or the bottom of
the rigid base as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8.
[0043] Referring specifically to FIG. 7, FIG. 7 shows a partial
side view of another embodiment present invention auxiliary foot
component 140. The heal plate, straps and eyelets and hook
described in conjunction with FIGS. 5 and 6 above are included in
this embodiment, but are not shown in the figure to avoid
confusion. Auxiliary foot component 140 includes a handle 143 and a
plurality of side wheels around its periphery. In this case, these
wheels are ballbearing wheels, but could be flat wheels, or any
other type of wheels. Rigid base 41 has ballbearing wheels such as
wheels 149, 151, and 153 along its side and similar wheels such as
wheel 47 along its back, as well as along its front 145. These
wheels enable a user to lay on his or her back or side and to move
the auxiliary foot components with the heals, sides or toes in
contact with a floor so as to smoothly roll therealong during
exercises.
[0044] FIG. 8 shows another auxiliary foot component 160, which is
the same as that described for FIG. 7 above except that wheels are
also included on the underside or bottom. Thus, rigid base 161 has
a handle 163 at its front 165 and wheels such as wheels 167, 169,
171 and 173 along its periphery. Bottom wheels are also included
such as wheels 175, 177 and 179. Besides the uses described above
with respect to FIG. 7, this component may be held at handle 163
and rolled around on a floor for arm and body exercises.
[0045] FIG. 9 shows an alternative embodiment present invention
main winding component 200. In this case, it has two sets of cables
instead of one. Housing 201 has a right side 203 and a left side
205. Each side has its own cable 213 and 215, respectively, with
separate releases 209 and 211. Handle squeeze trigger 207 has
internal ratchet wheels and take-up reels in both left and right
sides to simultaneously move cables 213 and 215. While this
embodiment involves more parts and is more expensive to construct,
it does offer more strength and balance for some exercise
arrangements.
[0046] Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the
present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It
is therefore understood that within the scope of the appended
claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as
specifically described herein.
* * * * *