U.S. patent number 3,558,130 [Application Number 04/735,011] was granted by the patent office on 1971-01-26 for exercising device using pendulum weight and pulley system.
Invention is credited to Franklin C. Anderson.
United States Patent |
3,558,130 |
Anderson |
January 26, 1971 |
EXERCISING DEVICE USING PENDULUM WEIGHT AND PULLEY SYSTEM
Abstract
A frame having a horizontal portion with a wheeled seat
positioned thereon and movable longitudinally therealong and an
inverted V-shaped portion pivotally attached to one end of the
horizontal portion, an elongated arm pivotally attached at the apex
of the inverted V-shaped portion with a weight affixed to one end
and adjustable as to the size and position thereof, and pulley and
rope means affixed between the inverted V-shaped portion of the
frame adjacent the junction thereof with the horizontal portion and
the free end of the elongated arm so that pulling on one end of the
rope causes the arm to pivot and the weight to rise. By measuring
the length of stroke (the length the rope is pulled and the
distance the wheeled seat is moved) and the amount and position of
weight at the end of the arm, the work accomplished can be
accurately calculated.
Inventors: |
Anderson; Franklin C.
(Owatonna, MN) |
Family
ID: |
24953977 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/735,011 |
Filed: |
June 6, 1968 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/72;
482/97 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B
21/4043 (20151001); A63B 21/0615 (20130101); A63B
21/4035 (20151001); A63B 21/4045 (20151001); A63B
23/03525 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63B
21/06 (20060101); A63b 069/06 () |
Field of
Search: |
;272/72,80,81 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Oechsle; Anton O.
Assistant Examiner: Stouffer; Richard T.
Claims
I claim:
1. Exercising apparatus of the aerobic type comprising:
a. a frame having a generally inverted V-shaped portion and a
generally horizontal elongated portion extending outwardly from a
junction therebetween at one end of the inverted V-shaped
portion;
b. an elongated substantially rigid arm pendulously attached
adjacent a midportion thereof to the apex of the inverted V-shaped
portion;
c. a weight attached to said arm adjacent the lower end thereof and
longitudinally adjustable therealong;
d. first pulley means with associated rope means intertwined
therethrough attached to the other end of said arm and second
pulley means attached to said frame adjacent the junction of said
inverted V-shaped portion and said horizontal portion, said rope
means having one end secured to said arm adjacent said other end
and gripping means secured to the other end of said rope so that
pulling said gripping means causes said arm to pivot and raise said
weight; and
e. a wheeled seat for receiving an operator thereon positionable on
said horizontal portion and movable longitudinally therealong
toward and away from said inverted V-shaped portion.
2. Exercising apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the
horizontal portion has grooves for receiving the wheels of the seat
extending from adjacent the junction of said horizontal portion and
the inverted V-shaped portion to adjacent the outwardly extending
end of the horizontal portion.
3. Exercising apparatus as set forth in claim 2 having in addition
means affixed to the horizontal portion of the frame and adjustable
therealong for limiting the movement of the wheeled seat along the
grooves.
4. Exercising apparatus as set forth in claim 1 having in addition
foot-receiving rests on the invented V-shaped portion of the frame
adjacent the junction thereof with the horizontal portion.
5. Exercising apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the
inverted V-shaped portion is pivotally attached to the horizontal
portion at the junction thereof and the legs forming the inverted
V-shaped portion are pivotally attached together for allowing the
inverted V-shaped portion to be folded into generally parallel
overlying relationship on the horizontal portion.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
In our present society very few if any people exercise sufficiently
during their normal activities for good health. Even athletes and
weekend sportsmen should exercise regularly to maintain the heart,
the lungs and the circulatory system in good condition. Also, many
coronary patients, post-myocardial infarction patients and
sedentary men over 40 require a gradual regulated work load to
maintain or improve their physical condition. In general, it is
necessary that the work load be reproducible and gradually variable
so that the exact amount of increase or decrease can be provided
for aerobic exercise.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the prior art many exercising devices are disclosed wherein
springs or hydraulic devices are utilized as the force against
which the operator must work. In general, these devices cannot
provide a reliably reproducible force. In most of these devices it
is extremely difficult to measure exactly the amount of work
performed by the operator and gradually increase or decrease that
amount on a day-to-day basis. Further, most of these prior art
devices are extremely complicated and, in general, cannot be folded
for convenient storage. Because these prior art devices are
extremely complicated, cumbersome and unsightly they are generally
relegated to basements and garages where they are inconvenient to
use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention pertains to exercising apparatus including a
frame having a generally inverted V-shaped portion and a horizontal
elongated portion extending outwardly from one end thereof, an
elongated arm pivotally attached adjacent a midportion thereof to
the apex of the invented V-shaped portion, a weight attached
adjacent one end of said arm and longitudinally adjustable
therealong, rope and pulley means attached between the inverted
V-shaped frame and the other end of the arm so that pulling one end
of the rope pivots the arm and raises the weight, and a wheeled
seat positioned on the horizontal portion for movement therealong
as an operator pulls on the rope.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and
improved exercising apparatus of the aerobic type.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an
exercising apparatus capable of accurately reproducing work loads
and variable to periodically increase or decrease the work load a
predetermined amount.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide
exercising apparatus which can be conveniently folded and stored
when not in use.
These and other objects of this invention will become apparent to
those skilled in the art upon consideration of the accompanying
specification, claims, and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring to the drawings, wherein like characters indicated like
parts throughout the FIGS.:
FIG. 1 is a view in top plan of the exercising apparatus in the
operative position;
FIG. 2 is a view in side elevation of the apparatus illustrated in
FIG. 1, illustrating the operation thereof in dotted lines;
FIG. 3 is a view in end elevation as seen from the left end of FIG.
2;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged end elevational view of the apparatus as seen
from the right end of FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged view in top plan of the apparatus illustrated
in FIG. 1 in the folded position;
FIG. 6 is a view in side elevation as seen from the lower side of
FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view as seen from the line 7-7 in
FIG. 5;
FIG. 8 is an enlarged detail view in top plan of the limiting
adjustment for the wheeled seat, parts thereof removed; and
FIG. 9 is a sectional view as seen from the line 9-9 in FIG. 8.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
In the FIGS. the numeral 10 generally designates a frame having an
elongated horizontal portion 11 and an inverted V-shaped portion
12. A first leg 13 of the inverted V-shaped portion 12 is pivotally
attached adjacent one end to one end of the horizontal portion 11
and the opposite end of the first leg 13 is pivotally attached to
one end of a second leg 14 of the inverted V-shaped portion 12 to
form an apex. The inverted V-shaped portion 12 extends outwardly
from the horizontal portion 11 so that it lies approximately in a
plane through the longitudinal axis of the horizontal portion
11.
The first leg 13 is bifurcated with two branches 16 and 17
extending toward the apex from a solid flat portion 18 adjacent the
junction between the horizontal portion 11 and the inverted
V-shaped portion 12. The two branches 16 and 17 are substantially
parallel and spaced-apart to leave an elongated opening
therebetween. The solid flat portion 18 has a pair of straps 19 and
a pair of associated heel supports 20 affixed to the upper surface
thereof and adapted to receive the feet of an operator therein.
The second leg 14 includes two generally parallel members 21 and 22
spaced-apart a sufficient distance to receive the first leg 13
therebetween. The members 21 and 22 each have one end pivotally
attached to the ends of the branches 16 and 17 of the first leg 13
by an axle 25 and are spaced axially outwardly from the ends of the
branches 16 and 17 on the axle 25. The opposite ends of the members
21 and 22 are maintained in the correct position by a cross brace
26 fixedly attached thereto. Thus, when the first leg 13 is pivoted
into overlying relationship above the horizontal portion 11 about
the junction therebetween, the second leg 14 can be pivoted
downwardly so as to substantially encircle the first leg 13 in an
approximately parallel relationship, as illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6
and 7.
An elongated arm 30 is pivotally mounted on the axle 25 between the
branches 16 and 17 of the first leg 13 adjacent the midsection of
the elongated arm 30. A plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart
holes 31 are formed in the arm 30 adjacent one end thereof and a
weight 32 is adapted to be coaxially positioned over that end of
the arm 30 so as to be longitudinally movable therealong. The
weight 32 is maintained in any desired position relative to the end
of the arm 30 by a pair of pins 33 which extend through the weight
32 and the holes 31 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the
arm 30. The weight 32 is constructed so that the size thereof is
variable as well as the relative position on the arm 30. The weight
32 is removed from the arm 30 and stored separately when the frame
10 is placed in the folded position illustrated in FIGS. 5 through
7.
The end of the arm 30 opposite the end having the weight 32 thereon
has a notch 35 formed therein and a pulley 36 attached thereto for
rotation about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of
the arm 30. Two pulleys 37 are mounted between the branches 16 and
17 for rotation about an axis approximately parallel with the axis
of the pulley 36. One end of a rope 38 has a knot or the like
formed therein and is engaged in the notch 35. The rope is threaded
around one of the two pulleys 37, around the pulley 36, around the
other pulley of the two pulleys 37 and the opposite end extends
outwardly from the first leg 13 adjacent the solid flat portion 18.
The outwardly extending end of the rope 38 has a handle 39 affixed
thereto so that an operator can grip the same with both hands. The
rope 38 is engaged around the pulleys 36 and 37 so that pulling the
handle 39 pivots the arm 30 about the axle 25 and raises the weight
32 (illustrated in dotted lines in FIG. 2). It should be understood
that the system of pulleys can be varied to provide the apparatus
with a mechanical advantage lying in the range of two to one up to
six to one or greater if desired. The mechanical advantage of the
apparatus can be varied by varying the number of pulleys being
utilized.
The horizontal portion 11 of the frame 10 has a pair of
transversely spaced-apart longitudinally extending grooves 40 and
41 formed therein. The grooves 40 and 41 extend substantially the
length of the horizontal portion 11 in this embodiment, although,
it should be understood that they might be of any desirable length.
A seat 45 has four wheels 46 affixed to the underside thereof so
that two on either side fit in the grooves 40 and 41. Thus, the
seat 45 moves freely in a longitudinal direction along the
horizontal portion 11 but is prevented from moving transversly
thereto. The seat 45 can be constructed of any desirable material
and should be of a height such that an operator sitting thereon can
comfortably place his feet in the strap and heel supports 19 and
20. An adjustable stop 47 is positioned in overlying relationship
with a portion of the groove 41 and is held in place by a bolt 48
threadedly engaged in one of a series of longitudinally
spaced-apart apart holes 49 formed in the horizontal portion 11
adjacent the groove 41. The stop 47 is adjustable to limit the
movement of the seat 45 in the grooves 40 and 41. By limiting the
movement of the seat 45 the distance an operator pulls the rope 38,
or the stroke, is limited.
In the operation of the present apparatus an operator sits on the
seat 45 and places his feet in the strap and heel supports 19 and
20, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The operator then grips the handle 39
with both hands and pulls the handle 39 towards him while
simultaneously straightening his legs. This pulling and
straightening action is similar to a stroke in rowing and causes
upward movement of the weight 32. The amount of work accomplished
during each stroke depends upon the length of the stroke (that is
the distance the rope 38 is pulled), the distance the seat 45 is
moved, the size and position of the weight 32 on arm 30 and the
mechanical advantage of the pulley system being utilized. A
measuring device 50 is affixed to the upper surface of the
horizontal portion 11 and extends the length thereof so that an
operator can determine the length of each stroke and, consequently,
with all of the remaining apparatus constant, any specific
desirable work load can be accurately and easily reproduced. As an
operator improves physically any of the variables in the apparatus
can be altered to increase the work load. For example, the operator
can increase the total number of strokes performed, the number of
strokes per minute, the length of stroke, the size or position of
the weight 32, or the mechanical advantage of the pulley system.
Through all of these variables the work load can be gradually
increased or decreased and is accurately reproducible. Since the
apparatus does not depend upon mechanical devices, such as springs
or hydraulic pressure devices, there is no variation in work load
over a period of time when all of the aforementioned variables are
maintained constant.
An elongated member 55 is pivotally attached to the horizontal
portion 11 adjacent one side thereof for rotation about an axis
parallel with the longitudinal axis of the horizontal portion 11.
The member 55 partially encircles the first and second legs 13 and
14 of the inverted V-shaped portion 12 when they are in the folded
position, illustrated in FIGS. 5 through 7. The member 55 has a
L-shaped catch 56 pivotally affixed thereto adjacent the midsection
so as to engage the opposite side of the horizontal portion 11 when
the member 55 is placed in overlying relationship to the horizontal
portion 11. When the catch 56 is engaged with the opposite side of
the horizontal portion 11 the entire apparatus is maintained in the
folded position. The member 55 extends outwardly a substantial
distance from the horizontal portion 11 in the folded position and
has an opening therethrough so as to form a handle 57 at the end
thereof. The handle 57 provides a convenient means of carrying the
apparatus in the folded position.
Thus, an exercising apparatus has been described which is easily
storable and can be quickly setup in any convenient area for the
use thereof. Further, the disclosed apparatus accurately reproduces
work loads from day to day and any desirable work load can be
provided quickly and accurately as for aerobic exercises.
It should be understood that the specific embodiment shown and
described is simply for exemplary purposes and further
modifications and improvements will occur to those skilled in the
art, all of which are included herein if they do not depart from
the spirit and scope of this invention.
* * * * *