U.S. patent number 3,858,874 [Application Number 05/334,902] was granted by the patent office on 1975-01-07 for push-pull type of exercising device.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Internax Holdings Limited. Invention is credited to Benjamin Weider.
United States Patent |
3,858,874 |
Weider |
January 7, 1975 |
PUSH-PULL TYPE OF EXERCISING DEVICE
Abstract
A body exerciser comprising a pair of flexible lines, each has
at one end a loop to be grasped by a hand of a user and a stirrup
at the other end for holding the line tensioned by a person's foot.
Each stirrup includes two loops, one engaging the bottom of a foot
of a user and the other engaging the ankle of a user. Each line
passes over a pulley which is secured by hooks to a member which in
turn is connected to a fixed support. In use of the exerciser, an
arm is moved simultaneously with the leg, the hand and foot being
attached by the line so that the tension in the line is between the
hand and foot so that the exertion of one member is balanced
against the other.
Inventors: |
Weider; Benjamin (Quebec,
CA) |
Assignee: |
Internax Holdings Limited
(Nassau, BA)
|
Family
ID: |
23309366 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/334,902 |
Filed: |
February 22, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/131;
273/DIG.6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B
21/154 (20130101); A63B 23/03575 (20130101); Y10S
273/06 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63B
23/035 (20060101); A63B 21/00 (20060101); A63b
023/02 (); A63b 021/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;272/79R,82,80,71,57R |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Pinkham; Richard C.
Assistant Examiner: Browne; William R.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Herzig & Walsh
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An exercising device comprising: first flexible line means
having a single loop at one end adapted for engagement by a
person's hand two loops at the other end adapted for engagement by
a person's instep and ankle, and second flexible line means having
a single loop at one end adapted for engagement by the person's
other hand and two loops at the other end adapted for engagement by
the person's other instep and ankle; and pulley means providing a
support for both said line means passing thereover whereby the line
means may be tensioned by way of movements of the person's
respective hands and feet when engaging their associated loops,
said pulley means being adapted for attachment to a fixed support,
the two loops for each foot being oriented so that the instep loop
tensions its line means when a user's legs are extended
horizontally and the ankle loop tensions the line means when the
user's legs are vertical.
2. A device as in claim 1, including a member, wherein said pulley
means includes pulleys attached to said member, and means for
securing said member to a fixed support.
3. A device as in claim 2, wherein said member is in the form of a
plate having holes therein, said pulleys including hooks hooked
into said holes, and said securing means includes a line attached
to said plate at another hole in said plate.
Description
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is a simplified body exerciser of a unique
construction and configuration which makes it possible for a person
to do a large number of particular exercises without tiring;
whereas otherwise, the average person would be able to do only a
small fraction of this number.
In the preferred form of the invention as described herein, it
takes the form of flexible lines or cords, each of which passes
over a pulley secured to a fixed support. At one end of each of the
lines is a hand grip; and at the other end, there is a foot grip or
stirrup constructed so that the foot can hold that end of the line.
Each of the lines is grasped at one end with a hand and is held
with the foot in a stirrup at the other end. This configuration
enables the person using the exerciser to do a number of particular
exercises without tiring with the tension in the line being between
the hand at one end and the foot at the other end of the same side
of the body.
In use, a person lies on the floor, grasping the hand grips at the
ends of lines, with the other ends of the lines being held by the
feet sitrrups. This makes it possible to pull the arms forward
while the legs are raised at the same time. As stated, the tension
in the lines is between the hand and foot at opposite ends of the
line. This construction of the exerciser makes it possible to
realize a number of purposes and to achieve particular objects
without tiring, among them being the following.
A person using the exerciser may do about 500 leg raises and other
leg raise motions or exercises at one time without pause; whereas
without the exerciser, an average person can only do about 10 leg
raises without tiring. By bringing the arms forward and the legs
up, the user exercises the total upper body including his lower
body and mid section all at one time. Further, because of the many
repetitions done in continuous rythmic fashion, the heart and lungs
are stimulated, helping to strengthen the heart, lungs, and total
respiratory system. Additionally, the internal organs are massaged
and stimulated. The abdominal muscles are strengthened, helping to
prevent rupture and collapses of the abdomen and also to help
indigestion and the elimination of gas. Because the exerciser lies
on the floor there is less strain on the heart than there is from
jogging or other standing motions. Because of the simple movement
of the arms and legs, no strains or tears of ligaments can occur.
By exercising the total body at one time and bringing into play at
the same time the total respiratory system, the exercises possible
with the device will become one of the most natural and healthful
forms possible. The achievement and realization of all these
results constitutes objects of the invention.
Further objects of the invention reside in realizing an exerciser
which is simple, light in weight, economical, and which is capable
of being used anywhere. Thus the objective is realized of exercise
sessions not being missed when traveling, when the person is short
on time, and by reason of the availability of the device of the
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further objects and additional advantages of the invention will
become apparent from the following detailed description and annexed
drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred form of the
invention;
FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 are illustrative views showing basic,
preferred exercising movements undertaken in the utilization of the
device.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
In FIG. 1, the invention comprises a triangular, flat plate 10
which may be made of plastic having holes 12, 14, and 16 at its
apices or corners. Numeral 20 designates a length of line or cord
which may preferably be nylon. Numeral 22 designates a cylindrical
plastic plug having three axial bores in it. Cord 20 is passed
through hole 12 in plate 10 and through one of the axial bores in
plug 22. A loop 26 is formed with the end of the line being brought
back through another of the axial bores in plug 22 to form loop 28
with the end of the line then inserted through the third axial bore
with a knot 30 formed in the end of it. Loop 26 may be looped over
a door knob 32, as shown, as an exemplary way of attaching or
securing plate 10.
Numerals 40 and 42 designate typical pulleys mounted in yokes
having attaching hooks 44 and 46 which are hooked through holes 14
and 16 in plate 10.
Numeral 50 designates a length of nylon cord which passes over
pulley 40 and having at one end a loop 52 preferably encased in
plastic tubing 54 to form a hand grip. At the other end of line 50
there are formed two loops 56 and 58, the end of line 50 forms the
loop 56. Its end is secured to an intermediate part of the line by
way of a band or holding member 60. Loop 58 is formed by a length
of the cord having its ends suitably secured to line 50 by
fasteners or bands 62 and 64. Loops 56 and 58 form a stirrup
adapted to being held by a person's foot, as illustrated in FIGS. 2
through 6.
The other line 50' is like line 50, and it passes over pulley 42.
It has a similar hand grip 52' at one end and stirrup formed by
loops 56' and 58' at the other end.
FIGS. 2 through 6 illustrate basic uses or preferred exercising
movements to be made using the exercising device. These particular
basic movements are calculated to bring about achievement and
realization of the objects as set forth in the foregoing.
Preferably, the user lies on the floor as illustrated in FIG. 2,
grasping the hand grips in his hands and having the stirrups at the
other end of the line engaging his feet as shown.
FIG. 3 illustrates basic movements in which the person's arms are
moved forwardly while lying on his back and the legs are raised. As
may be seen, the tension in the lines is between the left hand and
left foot and between the right hand and right foot. This enables
the person to do many leg raises as described in the foregoing
without tiring, thus making possible results not otherwise
attainable. Of course, this movement as illustrated is subject to
variations by way of the person bending the elbows in various
degrees, that is, at various angles. Similarly, the knees may be
bent in various degrees. Bending of the knees while raising the two
legs together is illustrated in FIG. 5.
FIG. 4 illustrates another basic form of exercise, wherein the
respective arm and leg on each side of the body is actuated
independently. The left arm has been swung forward while the leg
raise is undertaken with the left leg while the other leg is
outstretched and on the floor as shown. Again, many variations can
be made in the basic exercise.
As mentioned in the foregoing, FIG. 5 illustrates a variation of
the basic exercise wherein the leg raises are executed with both
legs at the same time but the knees are simultaneously bent as
shown.
FIG. 6 illustrates a variation analogous to that of FIG. 4 wherein
the movements are executed separately by the left arm and leg and
right arm and leg with the knees being bent again as illustrated in
FIG. 5. Variations can also be made in this set of basic exercises
as well.
Certain inherent characteristics of the invention will be apparent
from the foregoing description and the illustration of utilization
of the invention. It is to be noted that loops 56 and 58 are
attached to line 50 near its end. To utilize the loops, the foot
need only be inserted into them as illustrated in the figures. It
is to be noted as shown in the figures that when the leg is
extended, loop 56 or 56' which is underneath the foot opposite the
instep, it is in a position to hold and apply tension to the line.
This is true also when the foot is in the position as shown in
FIGS. 5 and 6 with the knee bent. On the other hand, when the leg
is in an upright position as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, then the
loop which is around the ankle is primarily in a position to hold
the line and tension it. Both loops are secured directly to the
line so their purposes as described can be accomplished. It is to
be observed that throughout the movements of the arms and legs, the
lines are held at one end by the foot by way of double loops so
that tension can be maintained in the lines. Of course, the user
can increase the tension in the lines and thus augment the
strenuousness of the exercise by applying a force or resistance to
the ends of the lines with the arms and/or legs.
From the foregoing description, those skilled in the art will
readily understand and appreciate the nature of the exerciser, its
utilization, and the specific manner in which it achieves and
realizes all of the objectives as set forth in the foregoing.
The foregoing disclosure is representative of a preferred form of
the invention, and it is to be interpreted in an illustrative
rather than a limiting sense, the invention to be accorded the full
scope of the claims appended hereto.
* * * * *