U.S. patent number 3,559,986 [Application Number 04/735,085] was granted by the patent office on 1971-02-02 for rollably mounted dollies for leg exercises.
Invention is credited to Harry C. Ehrmantraut.
United States Patent |
3,559,986 |
Ehrmantraut |
February 2, 1971 |
ROLLABLY MOUNTED DOLLIES FOR LEG EXERCISES
Abstract
A pair of dollies supported for rolling movement along one or
two guideways permits a person to stand with a foot on each dolly
and laterally separate the dollies in exercising the leg muscles.
Each dolly carries a tread portion pivotally movable to positions
disposed at an angle to the direction of separation of the dollies.
A method of exercising the leg muscles while in a standing position
with a foot on each dolly includes the steps of laterally spreading
the two feet apart to permit the torso to settle toward the ground
followed by laterally drawing the feet together to raise the weight
of the lowered torso toward its initial position.
Inventors: |
Ehrmantraut; Harry C. (Los
Altos, CA) |
Family
ID: |
24954305 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/735,085 |
Filed: |
June 6, 1968 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/70; 482/132;
482/71 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B
23/0417 (20130101); A63B 23/03533 (20130101); A63B
23/0488 (20130101); A63B 22/203 (20130101); A63B
22/14 (20130101); A63B 2022/0038 (20130101); A63B
22/0046 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63B
23/04 (20060101); A63B 23/035 (20060101); A63b
021/00 (); A63b 023/04 () |
Field of
Search: |
;272/79,80,57(A),57(B),57(1),70,28 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Marlo; George J.
Assistant Examiner: Browne; William R.
Claims
I claim:
1. A leg-exercising apparatus comprising a pair of rollably
supported dollies, each dollies adapted to receive one foot of a
person standing thereon, guide means cooperating with said dollies
for guiding the dollies, a tread supported on each of said dollies,
said treads being pivotally mounted on the upper surfaces of the
dollies, ribs and a tube along two parallel edges of each tread,
the tubes of each tread slidably engaging the upper surface of the
respective dollies, and stop means on the upper surface of each
dolly to limit the pivotable movement of the tread.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention pertains to exercising apparatus for leg and hip
muscles.
It has been observed that one part of the human body which is
difficult to exercise properly is the upper thigh area of the leg,
particularly the musculature of the inner and posterior sections.
These portions are prone to the accumulation of fat deposits, both
intramuscularly and subcutaneously.
The musculature of the region described above is most strongly
exercised by motions wherein the legs drawn vigorously together
from a laterally extended position. Heretofore, these motions have
been pursued against the weight of wall pulleys and similar
devices. However, there has been a need for a simple portable
device which can be conveniently used in the home without the
attendant paraphernalia heretofore employed.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION AND OBJECTS
In general, there is provided a pair of laterally separable support
platforms rollably disposed in one or two guideways serving to
accommodate maximum separation of the feet of a person standing
with a foot on each movable platform. The platforms each include a
pivoted tread portion for the foot of the user to permit the tread
portion to pivot about an upright axis. Accordingly, the feet of
the user can be variously oriented with respect to the direction of
movement of the support platforms.
It is a general object of the invention to provide an improved leg
exerciser.
Other objects will become apparent from the following detailed
description of the preferred embodiments when considered in
conjunction with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an exercising apparatus,
according to the invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view, showing an exercising apparatus,
according to another embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic sequence of FIGS. representing the steps
in the method, according to the invention;
FIG. 4 is a elevation section view in enlarged detail taken at
lines 4-4 of FIG. 2; and
FIGS. 5 and 6 are plan views diagrammatically illustrating the
positions of a pair of dollies in each of two different operations
respectively for the exerciser apparatus.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Guide track means, as shown in FIG. 1, comprises a pair of guide
tracks 11, 12 of identical construction.
Each track 11, 12, accordingly, includes a pair of laterally spaced
guide rails 13, 14 adapted to support and guide the rollers 16 of a
movable support carriage, or dolly 17, described further below.
Guide rails 13, 14 are held in spaced-apart parallel relation by
means of the end spacer bars 18, 19 suitably secured thereto. Bars
18, 19 serve to define the limits of longitudinal movement of each
dolly 17 whereby to permit the 2 feet of the user 21 to be spread
apart to their maximum extent.
Each dolly 17 includes a foot tread member 22 adapted to support
one foot of the user 21 standing thereon. Tread members 22 are
movable about an axis 23, 24 to accommodate positioning of the
user's feet to point in the direction of the path of movement of
dollies 17 or variously transversely thereto. Thus, a suitable
pivot pin 27 serves to secure member 22 to the upper surface of a
support carriage 26 whereby member 22 can be variously oriented
about axis 23.
Preferably, the sliding interface between the upper surface of
carriage 26 and the downwardly depending flanges 28 has modest
antifriction or sliding characteristics whereby the user is
required to exert continuing muscular control in maintaining the
angular orientation of members 22 with respect to the path 29 of
travel. Thus, plastic tubes 25 are retained in the grooves 30 for
sliding on the upper surface of carriage 26. Fixed stops 31 limit
pivotal movement of tread members 22.
Finally, it is to be noted that axes 23, 24 are disposed well to
the side of members 22 and approximately 40 percent of the distance
from one end 25a to the other, 25b, whereby the pivoting movement
of members 22 further serves to dispose a side 30 of each member 22
closely adjacent the end of dolly 17 when each member 22 has been
pivoted substantially normal to the path of dolly movement 29 so
that the feet of the user can be brought quite closely together.
Axes 23, 24 are, therefore, disposed at a point about one-quarter
of the way across the width of members 22.
The length of each tread member causes the end portions 35 to
extend substantially equally laterally beyond the width of tracks
11, 12. Members 22 extend equally to opposite sides of the
longitudinal Centerline 40 of path 29. Thus, by providing the
pivoting tread members 22, it is possible to employ a narrower
support carriage 26 and narrower and less awkwardly handled
portable tracks 11, 12, than where no tread members 22 are
provided. That is to say, that if no members 22 were employed, it
would be necessary to employ wider carriages 26 in order to permit
the user to perform both styles of exercise described below, i.e.,
(1) wherein his feet are oriented transversely of path 29; and (2)
wherein the use's feet are oriented in the direction of path
29.
Further, the disposition of the pivot axes 23, 24 permits tread
members 22 to pivot to positions parallel to path 29 and disposing
the width of the tread member 22 substantially equally on both
sides of the longitudinal centerline 40, whereby the weight of the
user may be evenly carried by wheels 16. Finally, the disposition
of pivot axis 23 is a mirror image of the disposition of pivot axis
24 so that each dolly 17 can have the foregoing functions when both
dollies 17 are employed together, as in FIGS. 5 and 6.
Each dolly 17 includes reinforcing ribs 32 extending lengthwise
along the underside of carriage 26 to permit carriage 26 to be
manufactured of relatively lightweight material and yet retain the
desired rigidity. In addition to ribs 32, downwardly depending side
portions 33 provide additional strengthening as well as the journal
support function for each of rollers 16 mounted individually upon
axles 34.
As thus arranged, the longitudinal displacement between adjacent
dollies 17, as defined by the spacing between end bars 18, 19
serves to permit the user to extend his legs in opposite directions
substantially the full extent of a relatively long walking stride
whereby dollies 17 can be alternately advanced and retracted by
muscular movement of the user's legs.
By vigorously working the two dollies 17 between opposite ends of
their respective tracks, the user's leg muscles will be
exercised.
Dollies 17 are readily removable and ride loosely in their guide
tracks 11, 12 whereby both dollies 17 can be disposed in a single
track 11 as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 2. The latter
arrangement has been observed to be particularly effective in
exercising the upper thigh area of the leg and particularly in the
region of the musculature of the inner and posterior sections
thereof.
Accordingly, a method of exercising such regions of the muscles of
the legs while in a standing position as shown in FIG. 3 comprises
the steps of standing with each foot upon an independently
laterally movable support surface such as provided by tread members
22, followed by laterally spreading the two feet apart in a manner
and to a sufficient degree to permit the torso of the rider to
settle toward the ground. Thereafter, the rider laterally draws the
feet together against the resistance of the weight of the lowered
torso to raise the torso toward its initial position.
The foregoing steps have been outlined in the diagrammatic sequence
shown in FIG. 3 commencing with the uppermost illustration and
progressing downwardly.
Finally, balancing poles 36 carried by the user serve to permit
vigorous use of the leg muscles while the arms and hands maintain
adequate balance.
From the foregoing, it will be readily apparent that there has been
provided an improved leg exercising apparatus whereby the legs may
be vigorously exercised as the user faces in the direction of the
path of movement of dollies 17 or faces transversely thereto.
* * * * *