Exercise Apparatus With Movable Hand And Foot Platforms

Abstract

An apparatus for physical exercise having a handrail carriage, a foot-slider carriage and longitudinal track guide means along which the hand rail carriage and the foot-slider carriage are slidable relative to one another. The apparatus may further include means for retaining an adjustable drag or resistance between the handrail carriage and the foot carriage.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to apparatus for physical exercise for use by an individual. There is presently available various exercising equipment for use by individuals. However, a great deal of such equipment is designed primarily for exercising only certain segments or muscles of the body. Consequently, it is necessary to have equipment of numerous separate and distinct features to be well equipped for exercising. Furthermore, a great deal of the exercising equipment heretofore available is complex in structure and expensive in cost.

An improved exercising device is disclosed in my copending Pat. application, Ser. No. 825,577 entitled, "Apparatus For Physical Exercise," filed May 19, 1969. The apparatus of the copending application has proven to be highly desirable for physical exercise. Also, it was found desirable to have an adjustable drag or resistance on exercising elements.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention teaches exercising apparatus that provides for thorough physical exercise of numerous parts of the body. The apparatus provides a compact structure facilitating ease in storage. The present structure further provides for retaining an adjustable variable drag or resistance between the handrail and foot rests supporting the individual's body.

An exemplary embodiment includes a handrail carriage guide means for guiding a handrail carriage along a longitudinal path; a foot-slider guide means for guiding a foot-slider carriage along a longitudinal path parallel with the path of the handrail guide means; a handrail-carriage means engaging and slidable along the handrail guide means and a foot-slider carriage engaging and slidable along the foot-slider guide means. The foot-slider carriage is adapted for engaging the feet of an individual while the individual concurrently grasps the handrails on the handrail carriage. Accordingly, an individual's feet may move in one direction along the longitudinal path simultaneously with movement of the hands along the longitudinal path in the opposite direction. The apparatus may further include a resistance means engaging either or both the handrail carriage and the foot-slider carriage for selecting and controlling the drag between the handrail carriage and the foot-slider carriage, thereby regulating the necessary force to move the carriages relative to one another.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of exercisor apparatus incorporating the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional enlarged view taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1 to illustrate the drag or resistance adjustment;

FIG. 3 illustrates the apparatus of FIG. 1 in position for storage;

FIGS. 4--6 illustrate the present invention in use with the exercising individual in backdown, squatting and face-down positions, respectively;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a modification of the exercisor apparatus shown in FIGS. 1--6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective enlarged view partially broken away of the adjustable cable drag means of the apparatus of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is a still further modification of the exercisor apparatus shown in FIGS. 1--6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Physical exercise apparatus, referred to by the general reference 10, and incorporating the teachings of the present invention is illustrated in the drawings. The apparatus 10 includes a handrail carriage referred to by the general reference character 12. The carriage 12 is constructed to provide sufficient support to bear the weight of an individual and to support the individual's hands a select distance above the ground reference level. The illustrated carriage includes a pair of spaced-apart handgrasps 14 supported vertically by a plurality of rail segments 16 which segments 16 are in turn integral with a pair of horizontal segments 18. The handgrasps 14, the vertical segments 16 and the horizontal segments 18 as illustrated are all joined into a unitary structure. The horizontal segments 18 are also joined to a pair of lateral guide tubes 20 extending between and engaging each of the horizontal segments 18. The handrail carriage 12 structure is preferably comprised of tubing of a strong material such a aluminum or stainless steel.

The guide tubes 20 engage a handrail guide means comprising a pair of longitudinal guide rails 22. The guide tubes 20 each receive in a telescopic manner one of the longitudinal rails 22 so as to allow it to be slidable longitudinally along the guide rails 22 responsive to force applied at the handgrasps 14. One longitudinal end of the guide rails 22 joins a T-shaped end support 24, while the other end joins a transverse end support 26. The guide rails 22 are supported a sufficient distance above the ground reference level so as to permit the guide tubes 20 to slide without interference with the reference level. In the illustrated embodiment, to provide the desired clearance, the end support 24 is supported by a pair of wheels having a radius to provide a sufficient degree of clearance. The wheels 28 are joined to the end support 24 by an axle 30. The end support 26 is supported above the ground reference level by a pair of upright legs 32.

A foot-slider carriage referred to by the general reference character 36 is provided for engaging the feet of an individual. The carriage 36 is slidable along a longitudinal guide rail 38 extending parallel to the guide rails 22. The guide rail 38 is illustrated to be of rectangular cross section and is supported at opposite longitudinal ends by a pair of upright posts 40 and 42. The post 40 is the upright member of the support 24 and the post 42 is the upright member of the support 26. Through this arrangement, the carriage 36 is sufficiently elevated to clear the handrail carriage 12 when moved in opposite directions.

FIG. 2 illustrates an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1 further showing the engagement of the carriage 36 with the rail 38 and also the drag or resistance adjustment. Viewing FIGS. 1 and 2, the foot-slider carriage 36 includes a pair of laterally disposed, longitudinally spaced tubes 44 and 46 extending substantially normal to the guide rail 38. A pair of flexible elastic platforms 48 and 50 each forms a continuous loop about the tubes 44 and 46 on opposite sides of the guide 38. Extending lateral to and over each of the platforms 48 and 50 is a strap member 52 and 54, respectively, such that an individual may slide his feet intermediate the platforms 48 and 50 and the respectively associated straps 52 and 54. The tubes 44 and 46 are each secured to a rectangular-shaped slider body 56 adapted to engage the guide rail 38. Intermediate the inner surface of the body 56 and the outer surface of the rail 38 are a plurality of drag pads 58 and 59 (FIG. 2) secured to the slider body by appropriate securing means 62. The drag pads 58 and 59 are designed to impart resistance of movement of the foot-slider carriage 36 along the guide rail 38.

A drag adjustment means, referred to by the general reference character 60, is provided for regulating the degree of force applied by the drag pads 58 and 59 against the rail 38. The adjustment means 60 includes a bolt member 64 with right-hand threads and a bolt member 66 with left-hand threads. The bolts 64 and 66 are secured to a U-shaped handle member 68 protruding above the top surface of the foot-slider carriage 36. The handle may be grasped within the hand of an individual and urged longitudinally with the axis of the rail 38 to impart motion to the bolts 64 and 66. The bolts being of opposite-type threads, either both increase pressure or both decrease pressure depending on the direction of movement of the handle 68.

The apparatus 10 also carries a cable 70 which extends parallel with the paths of travel of the handrail carriage 12 and the foot-slider carriage 36. At one longitudinal terminal end, the cable 70 is trained about a pulley 72 supported by the post 40 and at the opposite end the cable is trained about a pulley 74 supported by the post 42. The terminal ends of the cable 70 are secured to the horizontal segments 18 of the handrail carriage 12. The center of the cable 70 is fastened to the bottom of the foot-sliding carriage 36.

It may further be noted in the apparatus 10 that the post 40 carries a pliable type support base member 80 such that as illustrated in FIG. 3, when the apparatus 10 is supported on its end, a three point support base is formed. FIGS. 4--6, inclusive, illustrate an individual utilizing the apparatus 10 and various positions the body may assume during use. In FIG. 4, it may be noted that the individual, with his back downward, is grasping the handrail carriage 12 and the foot carriage 36. As the foot carriage 36 is moved to the left and the handrail carriage 12 to the right, the individual assumes a squatting position with the foot-slider carriage 36 travelling above the handrail carriage 12, as illustrated in FIG. 5. As the foot-slider carriage 36 is continuously moved to the left and the handrail carriage 12 to the right, the individual assumes a substantially face-down position, as illustrated in FIG. 6. To accomplish these movements of the carriages 12 and 36, the individual need physically apply force to each carriage. The degree of force necessary to move the foot carriage 36 is dependent upon the setting of the adjustment means 60 while the force necessary to move the handrail carriage 12 is dependent upon the tension within the cable 70.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a modification of the exercisor illustrated in FIGS. 1--6 and referred to by the general reference character 100. The apparatus 100 includes a handrail carriage, referred to by the general reference character 112. The carriage 112 is constructed to provide sufficient support to bear the weight of an individual and to support the individual's hands a select distance above the ground reference level. The illustrated carriage has a pair of spaced-apart hand rests 114 supported vertically by a plurality of rail segments 116 which segments 116 are in turn integral with a pair of horizontal segments 118. The hand rests 114, the vertical segments 116 and the horizontal segments 118 as illustrated are all joined into a unitary structure. Hand rests 114 can be adjusted for transverse displacement by moving segments 116 relative to segments 118. The horizontal segments 118 are also joined to a pair of longitudinal guide tubes 120 extending between and engaging each to the horizontal segments 118.

The guide tubes 120 engage a handrail guide means comprising a pair of tubular longitudinal guide rails 122. The guide tubes 120 each telescopically receive each of the longitudinal rails 122 so as to allow the carriage 112 to be slidable longitudinally along the guide rails 122 responsive to force applied at the handgrasps 114. One longitudinal end of the guide rails 122 joins an end support 124 while the other end joins an end support 126. The guide rails 122 are supported a sufficient distance above the ground reference level so as to permit the guide tubes 120 to slide without interference from the reference level. In the illustrated embodiment to provide the desired clearance, the end support 124 is supported by a pair of wheels 128 having a radius to provide a sufficient degree of clearance. The wheels 128 are joined to the end support 124 by an axle 130. The end support 126 is supported above the ground reference level by a pair of legs 132, one of which is shown.

A foot-slider carriage, referred to by the general reference character 136 is provided for engaging the feet of an individual. The carriage 136 includes a pair of guide tubes 138 joined laterally by a pair of lateral support tubes 140 and a cross brace 142. Wrapped around the tubes 140 and over the stop 142 are a plurality of elastic members 144. Suitable straps 143 are fastened around the elastic members 144. An individual may place his feet on the elastic members 144 within the straps 143 to provide support while the feet engage the foot-slider carriage 136.

The carriage 136 is engaged to and guided by a foot-slider guide means comprising a pair of longitudinal guide rails 146 running parallel to and above the guide rails 122. The guide tubes 138 receive telescopically the guide rails 146 and are slidable relative thereto. One longitudinal end of the rails 146 engage a cross brace 148 supported by a channel-shaped member 150 also engaging the crossmember 124. The opposite end of the guide rails 146 engage a cross brace 152 in turn tied to a member 154 extending to and engaging the cross brace 126.

The apparatus 100 carries a cable 156 extending parallel with the paths of travel of the handrail carriage 112 and the foot-slider carriage 136. One longitudinal terminal end of the cable 156 is trained about a pulley 158 supported by the member 154 and at the opposite end the cable is trained about and engages a drag or resistance control device referred to by the general reference character 160, so as to establish a pair of longitudinal cable runs 156a and 156b. The drag control device 160 is illustrated in detail in FIG. 8.

The drag control device 160 incorporates the channel-shaped member 150 as a housing. A pair of pulleys 162 and 164 are supported respectively by a pair of axles 166 and 168 spaced and parallel relative to one another to establish a cable run segment 156c. Intermediate the pulleys 162 and 164 is a pressure pad in the form of a U-shaped pressure pad 169 adapted to engage the cable 156 and apply a drag or resistance thereto when in contact. The member 150 engages a threaded adjustment rod 170 protruding through and threaded in engagement with a threaded opening 171 in the wall of the channel-shaped member 150. The rod 170 carries a manually operated knob 172. Accordingly, the cable 156 is trained around the end pulley 158 and the pulleys 162 and 164 within the drag device 160 such that the longitudinal terminal ends of the cable loops are adjacent to the terminal ends of the guide rails 122 and 146. At the same time, the lower run 156b of the cable 156 is secured to the handrail carriage 112 at the horizontal segments 118 and the upper run 156a is secured to the foot-slider carriage 136 at the cross brace 142. As force is applied to either or both the handrail carriage 112 and the foot-slider carriage 136, the cable 156 moves about the pulleys. At the same time, the drag within the cable 156 is adjustable by control of the pressure of the cup 169 against the cable 156. The cup in turn is controlled by the rod 170 and the knob 172. Accordingly, the degree of force the individual need apply to the handrail carriage 112 and/or the foot-slider carriage 136 to make them movable relative to one another is dependent upon the adjusted pressure on the cable.

It may further be noted in the apparatus 100 that adjacent to the wheels 128, the rails 122 and 146 extend beyond their respective crossmembers 124 and 148 and each carry a rubber-tipped leg 180. It may be noted that the legs 180 extend beyond or equal to the point of tangency of the wheels 128 so as to provide a support structure for the apparatus 100 when positioned in the vertical position. This allows the apparatus to be easily stored and set on its end similar to that illustrated for the apparatus 10 in FIG. 3. When in operation and use by an individual for physical exercise, the carriages 112 and 136 assume positions similar to those of the carriages 12 and 36 as depicted in FIGS. 4--6, inclusive.

FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment, referred to by the general reference character 200, designed for therapeutic use which may be used in a hospital or home. In FIG. 9, elements similar to elements shown in FIGS. 1--6 will be designated with the same reference numeral but with a prime suffix. The apparatus 200 includes a mobile center carriage 202 with a pair of spaced-apart side supports 204 and 206 supported vertically by a lateral support platform 208. A set of casters 210 support the underside of the platform 208 making the carriage 202 mobile. Each side support 204 and 206 includes a handrail 212 and 214, respectively. The height of each of the handrails 212 and 214 is adjustable.

A guide track 216 extends fore and aft of the center carriage 202. The rail is of rectangular cross section similar to the rail 38 of the embodiment 10 of FIGS. 1--5. Opposite longitudinal ends of the rail 216 are supported by legs 218 which are provided to support the rail 216 a select distance above the reference level, e.g. floor. The track 216 may be viewed as including three individual segments 216a, 216b and 216c. The segments 216a and 216b may be joined in common at a hinge 217 and the segments 216b and 216c may be joined together at a hinge (not shown). A foot-slider carriage structure 220, similar to the foot-slider carriage 36, is in slidable engagement with the rail 216. To avoid redundancy, description of the structure 220 may be assumed to be the same as that of 36.

In operation, an individual may step onto the platform 208 and place his feet in engagement on the platform 220. The individual may work his feet fore and aft the center carriage 202. Depending on the individual's physical condition, the height of the rails 212 and 214 may be selected. As an individual develops physical strength and coordination, the rails 212 and 214 may be lowered to require more force for body support. For example, the handrails may be adjustable in the order of 18--42 inches above the foot-slider carriage 220. When not in use, the rail segments 216a and 216c may be folded to assume a position as illustrated by the interrogated lines. Accordingly, the structure 200 is readily portable and compact for storage. The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9 is particularly suitable for amputee and paralytic patients to help to develop the upper part of the body.

Claims

I claim:

1. Apparatus for physical exercise comprising, in combination:

handrail carriage means having a pair of handgrasps in spaced-apart relationship, the handrail carriage means being movable responsive to force applied by the hands of an individual;

foot-slider carriage means adapted to receive the feet of an individual, the foot carriage means being movable responsive to force applied by the feet of the individual; and

track guide means for guiding movement of the handrail carriage and the foot-slider carriage means along vertically spaced longitudinal parallel paths responsive to force applied by the individual.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which

the track guide means includes a handrail carriage guide means establishing a first path and a foot-slider guide means establishing a second path separate from the first path.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 in which

the track guide means for the foot-slider means includes a longitudinal track guide supporting the foot-slider carriage and establishing the second path.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 in which

the track guide means for the handrail carriage includes a longitudinally extending rail supporting the handrail carriage.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 and

comprising means for adjusting the drag between the handrail carriage and said longitudinally extending rail supporting said handrail carriage.

6. The apparatus of claim 3 further including

means for adjusting the drag between the foot-slider carriage and the track guide member.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 further including

interconnecting cable means connected to said handrail carriage means and said foot-slider carriage means, the cable means extending substantially parallel with said paths.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 in which

one longitudinal terminal end of the cable loop is adjacent to one terminal end of the guide rail means and the other longitudinal terminal end of the cable loop is adjacent to the other terminal end of the guide rail means.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 further including means for adjusting the drag tension on said cable.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 further including

wheel means secured at one longitudinal end to facilitate movement of the apparatus when not in use for exercising.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 further including

support base means for balancing the apparatus in a vertical position.

12. The apparatus of claim 8 in which

the means for adjusting the drag tension include a pressure pad adapted to engage the cable means to establish a drag on said cable and adjustment means engaging said pressure pad for adjusting the degree of desired drag.

13. The apparatus of claim 7 in which

the track guide means includes a laterally spaced longitudinal extending rail supporting the handrail carriage, the rail extending parallel with said longitudinal runs.

14. The apparatus of claim 7 in which

the cable means is trained about a pair of longitudinally spaced terminals, said cable means establishing a pair of longitudinal runs with the handrail carriage means connected to one of said runs of the cable and the foot-slider carriage connected to the other of said runs.

15. The apparatus of claim 7 in which

the track guide means for the foot-slider carriage means includes a longitudinally extending rail for supporting the foot-slider carriage means.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 further including

pressure-adjustment means for adjusting the drag force of at least one carriage means with the track guide means.

17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the height of said handgrasps is adjustable.