Pull-type Variable Weight Exercising Device

Abstract

An upright standard including four generally equally spaced, elongated base arms projecting generally radially outwardly from the lower end thereof and four elongated support arms projecting outwardly of the upper end of the standard over the base arms. A seat is carried by the outer end of each base arm and aligned inner and outer pulleys are journaled from the inner and outer ends of each support arm for rotation about horizontal axes extending transversely of the corresponding support arm. An elongated tension member is trained over the pulleys and includes a first weighted end portion depending downwardly from the inner pulley and a second end portion depending downwardly from the outer pulley toward the seat. A horizontal handle bar is swivelly supported intermediate its opposite ends from the terminal end portion of the second end portion of the tension member for gripping by a person disposed upon the seat.

Description

The exercise machine of the instant invention has been designed as an aid to posture beauty, torson contouring, firming and toning and general figure improvement as well as specific development of the latissimus dorsi muscles and tricep muscles. The machine is primarily used to improve posture, firm and tone the upper back area, and to help firm and tone flabby upper arms. In addition, the muscles of the shoulder girdle may be strengthened by use of the machine in order to relieve fatigue in this area which is so common in individuals who are out of condition.

The main object of this invention is to provide an exercise machine for developing back and posture-controlling muscles.

Another object of this invention is to provide a machine in accordance with the preceding objects that is designed in a manner such that out-of-condition women may gradually strengthen the back and posture-controlling muscles and improve torso contouring.

Another important object of this invention is to provide an exercise machine which may also be utilized by men and which is constructed in a manner whereby stronger men may gradually work up to completing strenuous exercises by use of the machine.

A final object of this invention to be specifically enumerated herein is to provide an exercising machine in accordance with the preceding objects which will conform to conventional forms of manufacture, be of simple construction and easy to use so as to provide a device that will be economically feasible, long lasting and usable by substantially all persons in the correct manner after only a short instruction on the use of the machine.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the exercise machine;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the exercise machine;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by section line 3--3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially upon a plane indicated by section line 4--4 of FIG. 3 and on somewhat of an enlarged scale; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view illustrating the manner in which a selected number of the total number of weights may be utilized while exercising with the machine.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings the numeral 10 generally designates the machine of the instant invention. The machine 10 includes a standard assembly referred to in general by the reference numeral 12, a lower base assembly referred to in general by the reference numeral 14 and an upper head assembly referred to in general by the reference numeral 16.

The base assembly 14 includes a pair of crossed leg bars 18 and 20 disposed on edge and 90.degree. relative to each other. The midportions of the bars 18 and 20 include upwardly and downwardly opening notches (not shown), each equal in depth to one-half the height of the bars 18 and 20 and of an extent longitudinally of the corresponding bar equal to the width of the other bar. The bars 18 and 20 are interfitted together and a square bracing plate 22 is disposed over the intersecting portions of the bars 18 and 20 and secured to opposite end portions of the bars 18 and 20 by means of suitable fasteners 24 secured through the corners of the bracing plate 22 and in the bars 18 and 20. In addition, a fifth fastener 26 is secured through the center of the bracing plate 22 and through the underlying portion of the bar 20 and in the underlying portion of the bar 18.

The standard assembly 12 includes four upright rods 28 whose lower ends are secured, in any convenient manner (not shown), to the corner portions of the bracing plate 22 inwardly of the corresponding fasteners 24. A second bracing plate 30 which is also square is rotated 45.degree. relative to the bracing plate 22 and a plurality of fasteners (not shown) are utilized to secure the midportions of the four sides of the bracing plate 30 to the upper ends of the rods 28.

The upper head assembly 16 includes a pair of crossed arm assemblies generally referred to by the reference numerals 32 and 34 and each arm assembly includes a pair of elongated edge upstanding bars 36. Corresponding end portions of the bars 36 are interconnected by means of suitable spacing elements 38 secured therebetween, see FIGS. 2 and 3, and a pair of inner and outer pulleys 40 and 42 are journaled between each pair of corresponding end portions of the bars 36. Accordingly, each end portion of each arm assembly 32 and 34 includes a pair of longitudinally spaced pulleys or pulley wheels 40 and 42 and it may be understood that the axle pins 44 of the pulley wheels 40 and 42 may also comprise means whereby the corresponding bars 36 are interconnected.

The bars 36 of the arm assembly 32 include upwardly opening notches (not shown) and the bars 36 of the arm assembly 34 include downwardly opening notches. Each bar 36 includes a pair of these notches at the intersecting portions of the arm assemblies 32 and 34 and the arm assemblies 32 and 34 are therefore interfitted together in the same manner in which the bars 18 and 20 are interfitted together.

A third bracing plate 46 is provided and overlies the crossed midportions of the arm assemblies 32 and 34. Further, five spacing blocks 48 are provided and positioned between the bracing plates 30 and 46 and adjacent bars 36 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 4 of the drawings and suitable fasteners 50 are secured through the bracing plate 46 and the spacing blocks 48 and in the bracing plate 30. Accordingly, it may be seen that the upper head assembly is rigidly fastened to the upper end of the standard assembly 12.

Each pair of bars 36 includes a pair of outwardly projecting horizontal mounting tabs 52 on their opposite end portions and the opposite end portions of the bars 18 and 20 are provided with rigidly attached transverse mounting plates 54 whose opposite ends underlie the corresponding mounting tabs 52. A guide rod 56 extends between and is secured to each mounting tab 52 and the corresponding end portion of the associated mounting plate 54 and each pair of adjacent rods 56 has a plurality of vertically stacked weight members 58 slidably mounted thereon. The weight members 58 include vertical bores 60 through which the corresponding rods 56 are slidingly received and each of the weight members 58 includes a transverse horizontal bore 62. Each stack of weight members 58 is topped by a top plate 64 through which a lift rod 66 is secured. The lift rod 66 includes a plurality of vertically spaced bores 68 with which the bores 62 are registered and the upper end of each lift rod 66 includes an eye 70 to which one end portion 72 of an associated flexible tension member 74 is secured. The tension members 74 each extend upward from the corresponding eye 70 and over the inner pulley 40, over the outer pulley 42 and depend downwardly from the corresponding outer pulley 42. A swivel-type connecting member 76 is supported from the end of each tension member 74 remote from the corresponding eye 70 and a generally horizontally disposed handle bar 78 has its midportion secured to each connecting member 76.

A pin 80 is provided for each set of stacked weight members 58 and is receivable in a selected bore 62 and the corresponding bore 68 whereby the weight member in which the pin 80 is secured will be keyed to the lift rod 66 and will be lifted, together with the weight members 58 disposed thereabove and also the top plate 64, when the corresponding handle bar 78 is pulled downwardly.

Each end portion of each bar 18 and 20 includes a seat structure referred to in general by the reference numeral 82 which is disposed vertically beneath a corresponding handle bar 78 whereby from one to four persons desiring to use the machine 10 may be seated upon a seat 82 and thereafter extend his or her arms upwardly to engage the corresponding handle bar.

Of the several exercises which may be performed by using the machine 10, a first example may be termed a "pull down behind neck." This exercise is performed by gripping the handle bar after being seated upon the seat 82. From the overhead position, the bar is pulled downwardly to a position behind the head and then allowed to return upward toward the corresponding arm assembly by the biasing action of the weights which are keyed to the lift rod 66 for elevation therewith. This exercise may be initially started with approximately 20 lbs. of weight members 58 keyed to the lifted rod 66 and the average woman will be able to complete 10 repetitions of the exercise initially and gradually work up to two sets of 15 repetitions of such exercises.

A second example of the exercises which may be performed by the machine 10 may be termed as "arm toner pushdowns." This exercise should only be given to markedly overweight women who have flabby upper arms or on any woman who has soft flabby upper arms that need firming and toning, and/or reducing. Women with properly proportioned, well-toned arms should not use this exercise.

The pushdowns are started with the bar 78 held at chest level with the arms close to the sides. From this position, the bar is pushed down until the arms are straight and then allowed to return to the start position. The average woman may begin this exercise with about 10 to 15 lbs. of weight attached to the lift rod 66 and with the exercise being repeated 10 times. After a person using this exercise can accomplish three sets of 15 repetitions, the amount of weight attached to the lift rod 66 may be increased.

Other various exercises including those which involve bending the waist in various directions may be accomplished by utilizing the machine 10 and it may therefore be seen that the machine 10 is an efficient manner of accomplishing desirable exercises to aid in torso contouring, firming and toning, and general figure improvement.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, an upright standard assembly, a base assembly comprising rods in a plus shape with its midsection secured to the lower end of the standard assembly, a plurality of generally horizontally outwardly projecting support arms carried by the upper end of said standard assembly, a pair of guide means spaced longitudinally of each support arm, an elongated flexible tension member having its midportion engaged with and supported by the guide means of each support arm for longitudinal shifting of said tension member relative to said guide means, one end of said tension member depending downwardly from the guide means outermost of each support arm and the other end of said tension member depending downwardly from the guide means innermost on each support arm, said other end of each one of said tension members being weighted and said one end of each one of said tension members having a handgrip assembly supported therefrom, the ends of each rod supporting a seat assembly and the outermost ends of said support arms being spaced vertically above the seat assemblies.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein each handgrip assembly comprises an elongated handle bar, and universal connection means connecting said one end of the corresponding tension member to said handle bar centrally intermediate its opposite ends.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein each handle bar includes a raised central portion and opposite end handgrip defining portions above which said raised central portion is disposed, said connection means securing said raised central portions to said one ends of said tension members.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said base assembly and the inner end of each support arm include vertically registered anchor means, a pair of generally parallel guide rods secured between said anchor means, and at least one weight member being slidably mounted on said guide rods and to which said other end of said tension member is secured.

5. In combination, an upright standard assembly, a base assembly to which the lower end of said standard assembly is secured, a plurality of horizontal support arms carried by and projecting outwardly of different sides of the upper end of said standard assembly, said base assembly including a plurality of rods projecting outwardly of said different sides of said standard assembly, said rods each including a seat assembly on its outer end spaced vertically beneath the outer end of a corresponding support arm, said support arms each including longitudinally spaced guide means, an elongated flexible tension member having its midportion guidingly engaged with and supported by each pair of corresponding guide means for longitudinal shifting relative thereto, said guide means including an outermost guide means near the projected end of a horizontal support arm and an innermost guide means adjacent the upright standard assembly, one end portion of each of said tension members depending downwardly from an outermost guide means of the associated arm, the other end of each tension member depending downwardly from an innermost guide means of the corresponding arm and being weighted, said one end portion of each of said tension members having a handgrip assembly supported there from and disposed above the corresponding seat assembly.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein each of said grip assemblies comprises an elongated handle bar to whose midportion the corresponding tension member's said one end is secured.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein each of said handle bars includes a raised central portion to which the corresponding tension member's said one end is secured.

8. The combination of claim 5 wherein the inner end portions of said support arms and rods include vertically spaced anchor means and a pair of standing generally parallel guide rods are secured between said vertically spaced anchor means, and at least one weight member slidingly engaged with each pair of said guide rods and to which said other end of the corresponding tension member is secured.

9. The combination of claim 5 wherein each pair of said guide means comprises a pair of pulley wheels journaled from the corresponding support arm for rotation about horizontal axes extending transversely of said support arm.

10. The combination of claim 6, wherein said support arms each comprises a pair of horizontal closely laterally spaced-apart side edge upstanding bars with the bars of said pair of bars interconnected at the points spaced longitudinally therealong, said support structure including two pairs of spaced-apart side edge upstanding bars, said pairs of bars being crossed at their midportions, two pairs of spacing blocks, one pair of said two pairs of spacing blocks being received between one pair of said bars outwardly of the remote sides of the other pair of bars and the other pair of said two pairs of spacing blocks being received between the other pair of bars outwardly of the remote sides of the mentioned first pair of bars, a pair of upper and lower bracing plates overlying and underlying the crossed portions of said pairs of bars as well as said spacing blocks, and compression-type fasteners secured through said bracing plates and each block of said two pairs of spacing blocks.

11. The combination of claim 10 including a fifth spacing block disposed between said bracing plates and the bars of each pair of said pairs of bars, and a further compression-type fastener secured through said bracing plates and said fifth spacing block.