U.S. patent number 3,759,511 [Application Number 05/128,982] was granted by the patent office on 1973-09-18 for adjustable friction type exercising device.
Invention is credited to Cliff J. Coker, Kenneth A. Gustafson, De Wayne Zinkin.
United States Patent |
3,759,511 |
Zinkin , et al. |
September 18, 1973 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
ADJUSTABLE FRICTION TYPE EXERCISING DEVICE
Abstract
A device for exercising the muscles of the legs, which simulates
the striding movement which occurs during actual running. A body
support frame is provided having a pair of foot engaging pendulum
arms mounted thereon for movement through predetermined arcuate
paths of travel with an adjustable friction developing mechanism
being operatively associated with an arcuate sector to offer
resistance to movements of the arms. The device offers
substantially a constant resistive force throughout the entire
range of thrust movement during extension of a user's leg and
provides substantially unrestricted leg movement in the opposite
direction during retraction of a user's leg.
Inventors: |
Zinkin; De Wayne (Sacramento,
CA), Coker; Cliff J. (Huntington Beach, CA), Gustafson;
Kenneth A. (Villa Park, CA) |
Family
ID: |
22437920 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/128,982 |
Filed: |
March 29, 1971 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/51; 482/63;
482/115; 482/142; 297/423.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B
21/00069 (20130101); A63B 21/015 (20130101); A63B
22/0056 (20130101); A63B 2208/0261 (20130101); A63B
2225/30 (20130101); A63B 2022/0051 (20130101); A63B
2208/0238 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63B
21/012 (20060101); A63B 21/015 (20060101); A63B
23/04 (20060101); A63B 23/035 (20060101); A63b
023/04 () |
Field of
Search: |
;272/26,58,69,71,73,79R,80,DIG.3,DIG.5,DIG.4,DIG.6 ;46/1R ;35/29B
;128/25R |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Pinkham; Richard C.
Assistant Examiner: Browne; William R.
Claims
Having described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to
secure by Letters Patent is:
1. An exercising device comprising:
A. support means for supporting a user's torso in forward-running
attitude wherein a user's torso is forwardly inclined and
downwardly facing
B. confining means for confining the movement of a user's feet to
oscillatory motion along an arcuate path having a radius extending
to an oscillatory axis paralleling the axis of the hip joints and
disposed above and rearwardly of the knee joints of the user as the
user cyclically applies rearwardly directed thrusting forces and
forwardly directed lifting forces to each foot; and
C. restraining means for applying to each foot a restraining force
of a constant magnitude acting in opposition to said thrusting
forces.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein said confining means includes a
pair of depending arms supported for independent oscillation about
said axis.
3. The device of claim 2, wherein said restraining means includes
unidirectional force dissipating means for dissipating said
thrusting forces.
4. The device of claim 2, wherein said confining means further
includes a pair of stirrups for separately securing a user's feet
to the distal end portions of said pair of arms.
5. The device of claim 4, wherein said support means is disposed
forwardly and above said stirrups so that the instantaneous
included angle defined by a line extended from the hips to the feet
of the user and thence to the axis about which the arms are
oscillated is an acute angle.
6. The device of claim 2, wherein said support means includes a
support pad for said torso inclined from horizontal at
approximately 60.degree. and a pair of upright handles fixed
forwardly of said plate and adapted to be grasped by the user.
7. The device of claim 6, wherein said support pad includes a
pivotal portion adapted to be pivoted in a vertical plane about a
horizontal axis.
8. The device of claim 2, wherein said support means includes a
support pad for said torso inclined from the horizontal.
9. The device of claim 2, wherein said support means includes a
pair of rigidly supported handles adapted to be grasped by the
user.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The benefits of participating in a regular exercise program in
order to maintain good hea th and improve muscle tone are
well-known. Jogging is becoming an increasingly popular form of
exercise to strengthen the muscles of the body, particularly in the
legs. Of course, when jogging, one extends and lifts each of his
legs in an alternating fashion. When extending one's legs, there is
a distinct tendency to stress a group of muscles frequently
referred to as the extensor muscles, while in lifting one's legs,
there is a tendency to stress an opposed muscle group, known as the
flexor muscles. Included in the extensor muscle group are the
muscles identified as gluteus muscles. medium and maximus,
sartoris, rectus femoris, vastus intermedius, vastus latralis,
gastrocnemius, and soleus, while within the flexor muscle group
there is included the tensor fascia lata, biceps femoris,
semitendinous, semimembranousus, and tibialis anterior muscles.
Thus, that through running or jogging, the extensor and flexor
muscles are cyclically stressed in an alternating fashion. Outdoor
jogging is not always possible because of adverse weather
conditions, limitations on time or lack of sapce in the more
crowded urban areas. This is a particularly onerous problem during
travel in outer space with the increased duration of such space
flights. Furthermore, it is contemplated that the occupants of the
proposed space platforms may spend months and even years in an
environment where normal exercise such as running is not possible.
Under such conditions where running cannot be conveniently
accomplished, many people merely run in place indoors which,
although better than no exercise at all, does not precisely
simulate actual running. The substantially straight, vertical
movement of the legs produces a detrimental impact shock upwardly
through the legs and throughout the entire body and does not permit
any desirable stretching of the leg muscles which normally occurs
with the striding movement during actual running. The preferred
running exercise, however, can only be accomplished by relatively
healthy people and is, of course, impossible for many persons
having some type of muscle damage, disease, atrophy, or the like
which frequently can be improved by a therapeutically graded
exercise program. No exercise device presently available is capable
of permitting the user precisely to duplicate the striding
movements of natural running or precisely to vary the amount of
resistance imposed upon the legs during such movement. Accordingly,
none of the prior devices is adapted for universal use over the
varied and wide range of exercise programs attainable with the
device of the present invention.
Conventional leg exercise devices are generally of two types, the
first of which is commonly known as a leg press which employs
weights to provide a resistive force during repetitive extensions
of the legs. These devices do not even attempt to simulate leg
movement during running and, while weights can be added or
subtracted, the geometry of the connecting linkage between the user
and the weights is usually such that the force imposed upon the
user varies somewhat from the beginning of the stroke or press to
near the end thereof. Furthermore, the weights are gravity-returned
which imposes an additional force on the user's legs unlike running
wherein during upward retraction of the legs there is no force
imposed thereon other than their own weight. Because of the weight
problem, such devices cannot be used in space travel vehicles and
are, of course, completely useless in the non-gravitational
environment encountered in space. Other types of leg exercise
devices generally include bicycle and treadmills that attempt to
simulate normal leg movement during running. Bicycle pedaling,
however, only involves a substantially vertical movement of the
legs similar to running in place while treadmills afford only a
substantially linear shuffling movement and are unable to supply
the usual resistance encountered during actual running. Therefore,
the various devices heretofore employed in exercising the legs do
not cause the extensor and flexor muscle groups to be stressed in a
manner which duplicates the stressing of these muscles encountered
when running or jogging.
Accordingly, it is the purpose of the instant invention to provide
an exercising device which can be employed for stressing the major
leg muscle groups in a manner consistent with the manner in which
they are stressed when performing an act of running or jogging.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an
improved exercise device.
Another object is to provide such an improved exercise device which
is particularly adapted for use in exercising the muscles of the
legs.
Another object is to provide an exercise device of the character
described which is versatile and readily adapted for virtually all
exercise programs involving the legs.
Another object is to provide an improved exercise device which
substantially simulates the striding movement occurring during
running.
Another object is to provide an improved exercise device which is
capable of precisely adjusting the resistance imposed upon the legs
of the user during such striding movement without the use of
weights.
Another object is to provide an improved exercise device in which
the resistance imposed upon the legs of the user is substantially
constant throughout the entire range of leg movement.
Another object is to provide an improved exercise device which
utilizes a body support frame on which the user can assume a
forwardly inclined position to simulate the attitude of the body
when running.
Another object is to provide an improved exercise device which may
be quickly and conveniently converted to support the body of the
user in a seated position.
Another object is to provide an improved exercise device which is
safe, convenient in use, and which may be economically
manufactured.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will
subsequently become more clearly apparent upon reference to the
following description and accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exercise device embodying the
principles of the present invention with the body of a user
disposed thereon in a forwardly inclined dashed-line position.
FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the exercise device of FIG. 1 with
the user shown in an alternate dashed-line sitting position.
FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the exercise device of the present
invention.
FIG. 4 is a transverse vertical section through the exercise
device, taken on line 4--4 of FIG. 2.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring more particularly to the drawings, an exercise device
embodying the principles of the present invention provides a body
support frame generally indicated by the reference numeral 10 which
is adapted to be rested upon any suitable substantially flat
support surface such as a floor 11 in a gymnasium or other exercise
room. A user 12 employing the exercise device of the present
invention is shown in dashed lines in a forwardly inclined position
in FIG. 1 simulating the attitude of the user's body when running
and in a seated position in FIG. 2. The exercise device is quickly
and conveniently converted for use in either position with
substantially no modification of the structure.
The body support frame 10 is constructed of a plurality of
elongated tubular bars of substantially rigid lightweight metal
material such as aluminum or the like although it is apparent that
any suitable rigid material of other configurations such as round
tubing or the like can be employed. The frame includes a pair of
spaced substantially parallel uprights 16 and 17 respectively
disposed at a head end 18 and a foot end 20 of the frame. The
uprights provide lower ends 22 and 23, respectively, which are
individually secured, as by welding or the like, in upstanding
relation from a pair of base members 25 which are disposed in
spaced substantially parallel relation and have spaced lower pads
or glides 26 secured thereto for engagement with the floor 11. The
upright 16 at the head end 18 of the frame 10 has an upper end 28
cut at an angle of approximately 30.degree. from the horizontal.
The upright 17 at the foot end 20 of the frame has an upper end 30
which is displaced toward the upright 16 from the main body portion
of the upright by an upper bent section 32 which is disposed at an
angle of approximately 45.degree. from the horizontal. The uprights
are rigidly interconnected by an elongated tie bar 35 which is
secured at its ends to the uprights as by welding, bolting or the
like in a substantially horizontal position in closely spaced
adjacent relation to the base members 25.
A bicycle-type handlebar assembly 40 is disposed at the head end 18
of the body support frame 10 and includes a pair of spaced upturned
handle grips 42 which are connected through a continuous bar 43
having a bight portion 44. A mounting flange 46 is secured to the
bight portion 44 of the bar and is rigidly secured to the upright
16 substantially intermediate its ends by a pair of mounting bolts
47 or the like.
An elongated substantially flat rectangular plate 50 is secured to
the upper end 28 of the upright 16, as by welding, on which is
disposed an elongated, substantially rectangular chest engaging
body support pad 52. The pad has a relatively soft upper surface 53
which is adapted to engage the chest of the upper torso portion of
the user 12 when disposed in the running position of FIG. 1. The
pad is mounted for limited swinging movement relative to the frame
by a hinge 55 between the lower edge of the plate and the pad.
Accordingly, the pad can be quickly and conveniently swung to the
position shown in FIG. 2 in order to provide a backrest for the
user 12 when disposed in a seated position upon the body support
frame 10. In such latter position, the user's posterior portion is
rested upon an elongated, substantially rectangular seat 60
substantially similar to the pad 52 which is secured to the tie bar
35 by a pair of outwardly extended ears 62 with suitable bolts 63
extended therethrough closely adjacent to the upright 16 at the
head end 18 of the frame.
An elongated pivot shaft 65 is extended through the upper end 30 of
the upright 17 at the foot end 20 of the body support frame 10. The
shaft includes opposite outer ends 66 on which are individually
mounted a pair of hand gripping sleeves 67 employed by the user 12
in the seated position of FIG. 2. A pair of elongated pendulum arms
70 are individually pivotally mounted on the pivot shaft 65 on
opposite sides of the upper end 30 of the upright 17. Each of the
arms includes a lower end 72 terminating in spaced relation above
the base member 25 on which is mounted a foot receiving pedal or
plate 73 and a foot constraining stirrup 75 for limited rotation
through an arc of approximately 10.degree. to 15.degree.. The foot
receiving plate is mounted for such limited movement on a stub
shaft 76 outwardly extended from the lower end of the arm. It is
noted that the user's foot is receivable within the stirrup 75 from
either direction in order to accommodate the user in either of the
two positions shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
Secured to the inner surface of each of the pendulum arms 70 is an
elongated, substantially flat, arcuate saber blade 80 which extends
outwardly upwardly therefrom past the adjacent side of the upright
17. The blade has an enlarged mounting end 82 secured, as by
bolting or the like, to its associated arm and an opposite end 84.
The arc of the blades is precisely concentrically disposed with
respect to the pivot shaft 65 and with the arcuate path of travel
traversed by the lower end 72 of the arm. The arcuate path of the
lower end of the arm 70 has a radius extending to the oscillatory
axis of the shaft 65 about which the arm 70 oscillates.
A frictional-type resistance device 90 is disposed adjacent to the
upper end 30 of the upright 17 in the path of blade movement. The
resistance device provides a block-like housing 92 having a lower
saddle mounting 94 adapted to be rested upon the angular upper
section 32 of the upright 17 in embracing relation for rigid
attachment thereto, as by welding, bolting or the like. A pair of
spaced slots 96 are formed through the housing 92 of a size
somewhat larger than the blades to permit passage of the blades
individually therethrough. A pair of one-way friction devices, not
shown, are disposed within the housing 92 for individual engagement
with the associated blade which are operative to provide a
predetermined resistance to movement of the blade therethrough
during swinging movement of the arms 70 in a counterclockwise
direction, as viewed in FIG. 2, and to permit substantially
unrestricted, or no, resistance to such movement in the opposite
direction upon swinging movement of the arms in a clockwise
direction, as viewed in FIG. 2. The resistance device 90 further
includes suitable controls, not shown, for adjusting the amount of
resistance imposed upon the saber blades as they are extended
through the slots 96 and are engaged by the friction devices
therein.
OPERATION
The operation of the described embodiment of the subject invention
is believed to be clearly apparent and is briefly summarized at
this point. Prior to use, the control mechanism of the resistance
device 90 is adjusted to provide the desired resistance to movement
of the saber blades 80 through the slots 96. Such resistance is
calibrated on the controls through a wide range from zero, or no
resistance, to a predetermined maximum resistance against movement
of the pendulum arms 70 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed
in FIG. 2. Irrespective of the setting, the resistance device 90
provides no resistance to return movement of the blades 80 when the
arms 70 are swung in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG.
2.
The user 12 disposes himself upon the body support frame 10 in the
position shown in FIG. 1 when it is desired to simulate the leg
striding movement of actual running. In such position, the user is
supported by engagement of his upper torso with the upper padded
surface 53 of the chest receiving pad 52, his feet are slipped into
the stirrups with the bottom of his feet disposed against the foot
receiving plate 73. The user grasps the handle grips 42 of the
handlebar assembly 40 for stability during alternate extension and
retraction of his legs. During such leg movement, the pendulum arms
70 are swung in a predetermined arc with the saber blades 80 moving
concentrically therewith through the slots 96 in the resistance
device 90.
The foot receiving plate 73 and stirrup 75 are permitted limited
rotational movement upon the stub shafts 76 as the pendulum arms
are caused to swing during the described extension and retraction
of the user's legs. The user's body is forwardly inclined during
such leg movement so that the body attitude and striding movement
of the legs permitted by the swinging pendulum arms 70
substantially simulate the body attitude and leg movement occurring
during actual running. With continued use of the improved exercise
device of the present invention, it is anticipated that the user
may attain sufficient proficiency and balance on the body support
frame to permit natural swinging or pumping of the arms to simulate
natural arm movement occurring during actual running.
Alternatively, the extension and retraction of the user's legs can
be accomplished simultaneously to swing the pendulum arms
concurrently in the same direction in the manner of a conventional
leg press exercise device.
In assuming the seated position of FIG. 2, the user's posterior is
disposed upon the seat 60 and the pad 52 is swung downwardly to the
nearly vertical position shown in FIG. 2 for engagement with the
user's back. The user's feet are slipped into the stirrups 75 on
the foot receiving plates 73 from the opposite side than when
utilized in the position of FIG. 1, and the user's arms are
stretched forwardly from the body in order that the hands can grip
the hand gripping sleeves 67 outwardly adjacent to the upper ends
of the pendulum arms 70. As previously described in the operation
of the exercise device of the present invention, when utilized to
simulate the running motion of FIG. 1, the legs of the user may be
alternately extended and retracted or concurrently moved to swing
the pendulum arms 70 through their arcs of travel against the
resistance of the resistance device 90. Inasmuch as the saber
blades 80 are concentrically disposed with respect to the pivot
axis of the pivot shaft 65 and the arc of travel of the lower ends
of the arms the resistance imposed upon the user's legs is
substantially constant throughout the entire range of arm
movement.
In view of the foregoing, it is readily apparent that the structure
of the present invention provides an improved exercise device which
permits a user substantially to simulate the forwardly inclined
attitude and leg striding movement occurring in actual running. The
resistive force to such movement is substantially constant
throughout the entire range of leg movement, which resistance may
be varied from no resistance to a predetermined maximum resistance.
The exercise device of the present invention is quickly and easily
converted between a condition permitting the user to assume a
running position to a condition permitting the user to be disposed
in a seated position thereon without any modification of the
structure. In both positions, the device may also be employed in
the same manner as a conventional leg press. Accordingly, there is
provided by the present invention an improved exercise device which
may be employed for virtually any use involving exercises of Jhe
legs.
Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what
is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it
is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the
scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the
illustrative details disclosed.
* * * * *