U.S. patent number 3,707,284 [Application Number 05/136,109] was granted by the patent office on 1972-12-26 for exercise and massage device.
Invention is credited to John Waldeck.
United States Patent |
3,707,284 |
Waldeck |
December 26, 1972 |
EXERCISE AND MASSAGE DEVICE
Abstract
An exercise and massage device comprising a body support
structure having a base assembly and a back assembly. The back
assembly is capable of assuming at least two positions so that the
operator may sit or recline upon the body support structure. The
body support structure carries a plurality of rollers whereby parts
of the operator's body can be massaged. In addition, tension
springs may be detachably affixed to the body support structure in
various positions and combinations to be engage by the operator's
hands and feet.
Inventors: |
Waldeck; John (Cincinnati,
OH) |
Family
ID: |
22471342 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/136,109 |
Filed: |
April 21, 1971 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/130; 482/123;
601/115; 601/122 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B
21/023 (20130101); A63B 23/00 (20130101); A63B
21/04 (20130101); A61H 15/00 (20130101); A61H
2201/1261 (20130101); A63B 21/0552 (20130101); A63B
2071/025 (20130101); A61H 2015/0035 (20130101); A63B
21/0442 (20130101); A63B 2071/027 (20130101); A63B
2208/12 (20130101); A63B 21/00065 (20130101); A63B
21/0428 (20130101); A63B 21/055 (20130101); A63B
2208/0214 (20130101); A63B 22/20 (20130101); A63B
2208/0238 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61H
15/00 (20060101); A63B 21/04 (20060101); A63B
21/02 (20060101); A63B 23/00 (20060101); A63B
22/00 (20060101); A63B 21/055 (20060101); A63B
22/20 (20060101); A63b 021/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;272/57R,58,60,67,72,82,83R,79R ;5/110,111 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Oechsle; Anton O.
Assistant Examiner: Strappello; H. G.
Claims
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or
privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. An exercise and massage device comprising a body support
structure, said body support structure comprising a base assembly
and a back assembly, said base assembly comprising a horizontal
platform having a forward edge, a rearward edge and side edges, leg
means for supporting said platform, said back assembly being
affixed to said rearward edge of said platform, first and second
elongated spring means, a hand grip on one end of each of said
spring means, first and second spring attachment means on said base
assembly for removably affixing the free ends of said first and
second spring means on either side of said base assembly near said
rearward edge of said platform, a roller-bearing unit, handle means
affixed to said roller-bearing unit, at least a third elongated
spring means, third spring attachment means on said base assembly
near said forward edge of said platform, one end of said third
spring means being removably affixed to said third spring
attachment means and spring attachment means on said roller-bearing
unit, the other end of said third spring means being removably
affixed thereto.
2. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said back assembly
comprises a lower back portion, an upper back portion and a brace,
said lower back portion having a forward edge and a rearward edge,
said forward edge of said lower back portion being hingedly affixed
to said rearward edge of said platform, said brace having a first
bearing surface and a first supporting surface, means for removably
affixing said lower back portion to said first bearing surface on
said brace, said brace having a second bearing surface, means for
removably affixing said upper back portion to said second bearing
surface on said brace, said upper back portion having a forwardmost
edge, whereby when said brace rest on said first supporting surface
and said lower back portion and said upper back portion are affixed
to said first and second bearing surfaces respectively, said lower
back portion will be maintained by said brace in a substantially
horizontal position and said upper back portion will be maintained
in a position sloping upwardly and rearwardly of said lower back
portion with said forwardmost edge of said upper back portion
overlying said rearwardmost edge of said lower back portion.
3. The structure claimed in claim 1 including roller means affixed
to said side edges of said platform near said forward edge thereof,
whereby said rollers may serve as massage means for the hands and
forearms of the operator.
4. The structure claimed in claim 1 including a fourth elongated
spring means, one end of said fourth spring means being affixed to
said third attachment means, the other end of said fourth spring
means being affixed to said spring attachment means on said
roller-bearing unit.
5. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said roller-bearing
unit comprises a body having a planar portion with an upper and
lower surface, a forward edge, a rearward edge and side edges, a
pair of legs depending downwardly from said lower surface, said
legs being located at the side edges of said planar portion and
extending the length thereof, at least one pair of rollers being
rotatively affixed to each leg, the rollers of each pair being
mounted on opposite sides of the respective leg of said pair and
elongated handle means affixed to said upper surface of said planar
portion with its ends extending beyond the side edges thereof.
6. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein the free end of one of
said first and second spring means is affixed to said third
attachment means on said base assembly.
7. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein the free ends of said
first and second spring means are affixed to said spring attachment
means on said roller-bearing unit.
8. The structure claimed in claim 2 including a second supporting
surface and a third bearing surface on said brace, means for
removably affixing said lower back portion to said third bearing
surface, whereby when said brace rests on said second supporting
surface and said lower back portion and said upper back portion are
affixed to said third and second bearing surfaces respectively,
said lower back portion will be maintained by said brace in a
position sloping upwardly and rearwardly of said platform and said
upper back portion will be maintained by said brace in a position
to serve as a headrest.
9. The structure claimed in claim 4 wherein the free end of one of
said first and second spring means is removably affixed to said
spring attachment means on said roller-bearing unit.
10. The structure claimed in claim 5 including three pairs of
rollers rotatively affixed to each of said legs.
11. The structure claimed in claim 5 wherein said handle is
shiftable to a position wherein its ends extend beyond said forward
and rearward edges of said planar portion.
12. The structure claimed in claim 5 including anti-skid material
on said upper surface.
13. The structure claimed in claim 5 wherein said attachment means
on said roller-bearing unit comprises three perforations along said
rearwardmost edge thereof.
14. The structure claimed in claim 8 including roller carrying
means affixed to said body support structure, said roller carrying
means being positioned above said rearwardmost edge of said lower
back portion adjacent said upper back portion, whereby said rollers
may serve as massage means for the head, neck and shoulders of the
operator.
15. The structure claimed in claim 1 including means to adjust the
height of said body support structure from the surface upon which
it rests.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an exercise and massage device, and more
particularly to a simple, portable device offering the operator a
wide variety of exercises and stretching and massaging actions.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In recent years, the general public has become increasingly aware
of the value of exercise. In response to this, prior art workers
have devised a number of exercise means for use in the home, the
office and elsewhere.
In general, however, the prior art exercise means have been large,
bulky and complex in construction. As a result, these prior art
means have not been readily portable and have usually been quite
expensive.
In addition to the above, the prior art exercise means have been
characterized by the fact that they offer the user or operator only
a limited number of exercises which can be performed with them. As
a consequence, only a limited exercise program may be adopted and
the range of degree of difficulty of the various exercises is
narrow.
The present invention is directed to an exercise device which is
extremely simple and compact. The device of the present invention
is inexpensive to manufacture and readily portable. Finally, the
present exercise device offers a wider variety of exercises and
stretching and massaging actions than has hitherto been available
in a single device. As a consequence, a variety of exercise
programs may be adopted, incorporating exercises having a wide
range with respect to the degree of difficulty.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The exercise and massage device comprises a body support structure
having a base assembly and a back assembly. The base assembly
comprises a horizontal platform supported on legs near its forward
and rearward edges. Means may be provided to adjust the height of
the platform from the supporting surface. The back assembly
comprises three elements: a lower back portion, an upper back
portion and a brace. The lower back portion has its forwardmost
edge hingedly affixed to the rearward edge of the platform. The
brace is detachably affixed to the lower back portion and maintains
the lower back portion in its proper position. The upper back
portion is detachably affixed to the brace and is maintained in
position thereby.
In one orientation of the brace, the lower back portion is
maintained in a substantially horizontal position and forms a
continuation of the platform. The upper back portion is maintained
in a position sloping rearwardly and upwardly from the rearward
edge of the lower back portion. In this orientation, the user may
recline on the body support structure.
In another orientation of the brace, the lower back portion is
maintained at an angle with respect to the platform and serves as a
support for the operator in a seated position. In this instance,
the upper back portion may be affixed to the brace so as to serve
as a head rest for the operator.
Means are provided at the sides of the platform, near the rearward
edge thereof, for the attachment of tension springs to be
manipulated by the operator's hands. Roller means are also provided
at the sides of the platform, near the forward edge thereof, and
serve both as massaging means and gripping means for the operator's
hands.
At the forwardmost end of the base assembly, means are provided to
affix the end of one or more tension springs to the body support
structure. The other end of the one or more springs is affixed to a
roller-bearing unit provided with means for engagement by the
operator's feet. At least one hand-manipulated spring may be
affixed to the forwardmost end of the base assembly or the above
mentioned roller-bearing units, as well. Finally, additional
roller-bearing means may be affixed to the above mentioned brace in
such a position that the operator may massage his head and neck
therewith.
The device of the present invention is so constructed that the
roller-bearing unit, the additional roller-bearing means, spring
means, the upper back portion and the brace may be detached
therefrom. The lower back portion may be pivoted into a position
wherein it overlies the platform. As a result, the entire assembly
may be conveniently packaged so that it may be readily carried by
the operator.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the exercise device of the present
invention with the back assembly set up for the operator to assume
a reclining position and further illustrates an exemplary
combination and attachment of spring means.
FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the body support structure of
FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the upper back portion.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the brace.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the roller-bearing unit.
FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the roller-bearing unit.
FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the roller-bearing unit.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the device of the present invention
with the back assembly set up for the operator to sit upon the body
support structure, and further illustrates another exemplary
attachment and combination of spring means.
FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the body support structure of
FIG. 8.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a roller-bearing means of the
present invention.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating the base assembly and
the lower back portion in folded relationship.
FIGS. 12 and 13 are fragmentary perspective views illustrating
additional exemplary combinations and attachments of the spring
means to the forward end of the body support structure.
FIG. 14 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the body support
structure illustrating means for adjusting the height thereof from
a supporting surface.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Turning first to FIGS. 1 through 4, the body support structure is
generally indicated at 1. The base assembly is generally indicated
at 2 and the back assembly is generally indicated at 3.
The base assembly comprises a horizontal platform 4 supported by
forward leg means 5 and rearward leg means 6. On one side of the
platform 4 there is mounted a member 7 having an L-shaped cross
sectional configuration. The upstanding portion of the member 7 has
rotatively affixed thereto three pairs of rollers 8, 9 and 10. It
will be noted that the intermediate pair of rollers 9 is slightly
higher than the pairs 8 and 10. The member 7 may be affixed to the
platform 4 by any suitable means. For example, the horizontal
portion of the member 7 may underlie the platform 4 and be affixed
thereto by screws 11 and 12 or the like. On the other side of the
platform 4 there is a member 13, substantially identical to the
member 7. The member 13 has rotatively affixed thereto three pairs
of rollers 14, 15 and 16. Again, it will be noted that the
intermediate pair of rollers 15 is slightly higher than the pairs
14 and 16. The member 13 may be affixed to the platform 4 in the
same manner described with respect to the member 7.
On the forwardmost leg 5 of the body support structure, three
attachment means are provided by which the ends of tension springs
may be removably affixed to the body support structure. While these
attachment means may take any suitable form, for purposes of an
exemplary showing they are illustrated as comprising simple hook
members 17, 18 and 19.
Additional attachment means for tension springs are provided at the
sides of the platform 4. One such attachment means is shown at 20,
and is affixed to a block 21. The block 21 is, in turn, affixed to
the underside of the platform 4 ahead of the rearward leg means 6.
In similar fashion, an attachment means 22 is mounted on the other
side of the platform 4 to a block 23 similarly mounted on the
underside of the platform 4.
The forwardmost edge of the platform 4 has a notch 24 therein, the
purpose of which will be described hereinafter. The rearwardmost
edge of the platform 4 is provided with hinge means 25 and 26 by
which the lower back portion 27 of the back assembly 3 is affixed
to the platform 4.
The lower back portion 27 is supported by a brace 28. The brace 28
has a first supporting surface 29 and a second supporting surface
30. It also has a first bearing surface 31. As is most clearly
shown in FIG. 2, the lower back portion 27 is affixed to the
supporting surface 29 while the first bearing surface 31 of the
brace is intended to rest on the same surface as the leg means 5
and 6. Attachment means for affixing the lower back portion 27 to
the bearing surface 29 of the brace are generally indicated at
32.
The upper back portion 33 is removably supported by the brace 28 on
its bearing surface 30. It will be noted that the forwardmost edge
33a of the upper back portion 33 rests on the rearward end of the
lower back portion 27. Attachment means to affix the upper back
portion 33 to the bearing surface 30 of the brace is generally
indicated at 34.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the upper back portion 33 and FIG.
4 is a perspective view of the brace 28. It will be understood by
one skilled in the art that the attachment means 34 of FIG. 2 may
take any suitable form. For purposes of an exemplary showing, the
brace 28 is illustrated in FIG. 4 as having an attachment member
34a let into the surface 30. The attachment member 34a has a pair
of slots therein. In FIG. 3, the upper back portion 33 is
illustrated as having an attachment member 34b provided with a pair
of hooks. The hooks of the attachment member 34b are adapted to be
received in the slots in the attachment member 34a and to engage
the attachment member 34a so that the upper back portion will be
firmly affixed to the surface 30 of the brace.
The attachment means 32 for affixing the lower back member 27 to
the surface 29 of the brace 28 again may take any suitable form.
For purposes of an exemplary showing, the surface 29 of the brace
is illustrated as being provided with an attachment member 32a
substantially identical to the attachment member 34a. Similarily,
the lower back portion 27 is shown (FIG. 11) as having an
attachment member 32b substantially identical to the attachment
member 34b in FIG. 3. The attachment members 32a and 32b are
adapted to cooperate to firmly affix the lower back portion 27 to
the brace.
The arrangement of the back assembly 3 of FIGS. 1 and 2 is such
that the operator may recline on the body support structure 1.
However, the back assembly may be appropriately rearranged to
enable the operator to sit upon the body support structure. This is
illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. Like parts have been given like index
numerals.
Turning first to FIG. 4, it will be noted that the brace 28 is
provided with an additional bearing surface 35 and an additional
supporting surface 36.
As is most clearly shown in FIG. 9, the lower back portion 27 may
be affixed to the bearing surface 35 of the brace 28. The
attachment means are generally indicated at 37. As is indicated in
FIG. 4, the bearing surface 35 of the brace may be provided with an
attachment means 37a. The attachment means 37a may be identical to
the attachment means 32a and 34a. Thus, the attachment means 32b on
the lower back portion 27 will cooperate with the attachment means
37a in the same manner as described with respect to its cooperation
with the attachment means 32a on the brace 28. When the brace 28 is
so affixed to the lower back portion, the supporting surface 36
will rest on the same surface as the leg means 5 and 6.
As is clear from FIGS. 8 and 9, the upper back portion 33 may again
be affixed to the bearing surface 30 of the brace 28, via the
attachment means generally indicated at 34. In this instance, the
upper end of the upper back portion will serve as a headrest. For
example, when desired, an ordinary pillow may be placed against the
upper end of the upper back portion 33 and will be supported by it
and the upper end of the lower back portion 27.
When the exercise and massage device of the present invention is in
the configuration illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, a roller carrying
means (generally indicated at 38) may be provided with which the
operator may massage the back of the head and the neck and
shoulders. The roller carrying means 38 is illustrated in FIG. 10.
It comprises a substantially rectangular plate 39 and a rod-like
member 40. The upper end of the rod-like member 40 is affixed to
the underside of the plate 39 near its rear edge. This attachment
is such that the plate slopes slightly upwardly and outwardly with
respect to the rod-like member (as is clearly shown in FIG. 9). The
plate 39 has rotatively affixed thereto two pairs of rollers 41 and
42, adjacent its forward edge.
The method of attachment of the roller carrying means 38 to the
device of the present invention does not constitute a limitation.
For example, the rod-like member 40 may be affixed to the upper
back portion 33 or one or the other side of the brace 28. For
purposes of an exemplary showing, the brace 28 is illustrated in
FIG. 9 as having an elongated perforation 43 therein. This
perforation is adapted to receive the rod-like member 40. The rear
edge 39a of the plate 39 will rest against the upper back portion
33 so that the roller carrying means 38 will be firmly held.
It is within the scope of the present invention to provide the
brace 28 with a transverse hole intersecting the perforation 43.
This hole may be adapted to receive a set screw 44, or the like, to
further secure the roller carrying means 38 in position. It is also
within the scope of the invention to provide the rod-like member 40
with a plurality of perforations (generally indicated at 45 in FIG.
10). These perforations can be engaged by the set screw or pin 44
so that the height of the roller carrying means 38 may be
adjusted.
As is shown in FIG. 1, for example, the exercise and massage device
of the present invention will be provided with at least two tension
springs adapted to be manipulated by the operator's hands. Such
springs are illustrated at 46 and 47 in FIG. 1. The spring 46 is
provided with a grip means 46a for the operator's hand. The spring
47 is provided with a similar grip means 47a. Both of the springs
46 and 47 will be provided at their other end with means whereby
they may be attached to the various spring attachment means such as
those indicated at 18, 20 and 22. The nature of these means will
depend upon the nature of the attachment means 18, 20 and 22,
themselves, and may comprise simple hooks or the like as is well
known in the art.
FIGS. 1, 8, 12 and 13 illustrate a roller-bearing unit (generally
indicated at 48) affixed to the forward leg means 5 by one or more
springs, as will be more fully described hereinafter. The
roller-bearing unit 48 is more clearly shown in FIG. 5 through 7.
The roller-bearing unit comprises a channel-shaped body 49 having a
planar portion 49a and a pair of downwardly depending legs 50 and
51. The downwardly depending leg 50 has rotatively affixed thereto
three pairs of rollers 52, 53 and 54. As is most clearly shown in
FIG. 6, the roller pair 53 is mounted slightly lower than the
roller pairs 52 and 54. The downwardly depending leg 51 has
rotatively affixed thereto three roller pairs 55, 56 and 57. Again,
the roller pair 56 is mounted slightly lower than the roller pairs
55 and 57. The planar body portion 49a has, along its rearward,
three perforations 58 through 60, whereby various springs may be
affixed to the roller-bearing unit, as will be described
hereinafter. The planar portion 49a also has a key slot 61 and two
holes 62 and 63. The key slot permits the mounting of handle means
64 to the roller-bearing unit by a suitable machine screw, bolt or
the like provided with a wing nut 65. The handle 64 is provided
with a pair of detents or screws to be received in holes 62 and 63
to maintain proper alignment of the handle. For purposes of an
exemplary showing, FIG. 6 illustrates a screw 66 the head of which
is received in perforation 62. It will be understood that the head
of a similar screw will be received in hole 63. The wing nut
permits the operator to readily remove or adjust the handle 64, as
described hereinafter.
Finally, the planar portion 49a near its forwardmost edge may be
provided with strips of friction or anti-slip material 67 and 68.
Additional pieces 69 and 70 of this material may be applied to the
planar portion 49a near its rearwardmost edge. The anti-slip
material may be of any suitable type well known in the art and its
purpose will be described hereinafter. It will further be noted
that the planar portion 49a has a hole 70a between stripes 67 and
68. Thus holes 59 and 70a may serve the same alignment function as
holes 62 and 63 when the position of the handle 64 is shifted
90.degree., as will be described hereinafter.
The roller-bearing unit 48 may be affixed to the body support
structure 1 in several ways. As shown in FIG. 1, for example, the
unit 48 may be affixed to the forward leg means 5 by a pair of
tension springs 71 and 72. One end of spring 71 is hooked into
perforation 58 in the unit 48. The other end of this spring is
affixed to attachment means 19 on the forward leg means 5. One end
of spring 72 is hooked into perforation 60 in the unit 48, while
the other end of spring 72 is affixed to attachment means 17 on the
forward leg means 5. When the roller-bearing unit 48 is affixed to
the forward leg means 5 in the manner shown in FIG. 1, the central
perforation 59 of the roller-bearing unit is free. Under these
circumstances, it would be possible to affix one of the
hand-actuated springs 46 or 47 to the perforation 59. For purposes
of an exemplary showing, spring 46 is illustrated as attached to
the roller-bearing unit 48 in this manner. Alternatively, one of
the two spring means 46 and 47 could be affixed to the central
attachment hook 18 on the leg means 5. Spring 46 is illustrated as
being attached in this fashion in FIG. 8.
As shown in FIG. 8, the roller-bearing unit 48 may be affixed to
the forward leg means 5 by a single spring. In such an instance,
only one of springs 71 and 72 is used. In FIG. 8, spring 71 is
illustrated with one end affixed to attachment means 18 on the leg
means 5 and the other end affixed to the perforation 59 on the
roller-bearing unit 48.
When the roller-bearing unit 48 is affixed to the forward leg means
5 in the manner shown in FIG. 8, it is possible to take one of the
hand-manipulated springs 46 and 47 and affix it to the same
attachment means 18 as is the spring 71. This is shown in FIG. 8.
On the other hand, it will be noted that perforations 58 and 60 in
the roller-bearing unit 48 are free. Therefore, it is possible to
affix hand-manipulated springs 46 and 47 to these perforations, as
is illustrated in FIG. 12.
FIG. 11 shows the exercise and massage device of the present
invention in its knock-down form. Like parts have been given like
index numerals. In the condition shown in FIG. 11, it will be noted
that all of the springs and the roller-bearing units 38 and 48 have
been removed from the device. Similarly, the upper back portion 33
and the brace 28 have been detached. The lower back portion 27 may
then be folded onto the platform 4, as shown. Thus, the portion of
the body-support structure 1 illustrated in FIG. 11, together with
the springs, the roller-bearing units 38 and 48, the brace 28 and
the upper back portion 33 may be conveniently packed into any
suitable box or carrying case. In this way, the exercise and
massage device of the present invention can be converted into a
compact, readily portable unit.
The number of exercises and massaging actions capable of being
performed with the device of the present invention are many and
varied. For purposes of an exemplary showing, only some of the
possible exercises will now be described. For example, with the
device of the present invention set up either as shown in FIG. 1 or
as shown in FIG. 8, it is possible to use roller pairs 8 through 10
and 14 through 16 at the sides of the platform 4 to massage the
operator's hands and forearms by repeatedly running the hands and
forearms back and forth over these rollers pairs. When the device
is set up as shown in FIG. 8, roller pairs 41 and 42 may be used by
the operator to massage the back of his head, his neck or his
shoulders.
The hand-manipulated springs 46 and 47 may be affixed to the
attachment means 20 and 22 as shown in FIG. 1. It will be
understood by one skilled in the art that they can be similarly
affixed to attachment means 20 and 22 when the exercise device is
set up as shown in FIG. 8. When so attached, the springs 46 and 47
may be used for various arm exercises while the operator is
assuming a seated or a reclined position, or is moving between such
positions.
Again, with the exercise device set up as shown in FIGS. 1 or 8,
the roller-bearing unit 48 may be affixed to the forward leg means
5 by a single spring 71 (as shown in FIG. 8) or by a pair of spring
71 and 72 (as shown in FIG. 1). While in a seated or reclined
position, the operator may place his feet on the handle or bar 64
of the roller-bearing unit 48. The legs can then be exercised by
extending and retracting them against the action of the single
spring 71 or the pair of springs 71 and 72.
Whether one or both of the springs 71 and 72 are used, the
operator, while stretching or exercising his legs, may additionally
exercise his arms utilizing one of the hand-manipulated springs 46
and 47 affixed to attachment means 18 as shown in FIG. 8. The notch
24 in the forward edge of the platform 4 provides ample clearance
for the spring 46.
With either of the configurations of the body support structure
(FIG. 1 or FIG. 8) the operator can exercise both his arms and legs
when the roller-bearing unit 48 and hand-manipulated springs 46 and
47 are attached as shown in FIG. 12 or as shown in FIG. 13. A great
variety of exercises may be performed when the device is set up as
shown in these last mentioned Figures. For example, when the device
is set up as shown in FIG. 12 the operator may stretch his legs
against the action of spring 71. With his legs in stretched
position and his hands grasping grips 46a and 47a he may then move
his body between seated and reclined positions against the action
of springs 46 and 47.
It will be understood by one skilled in the art that the above
described exercises are but a few of those possible with the device
of the present invention. Depending on the number of springs used,
and the exercises being performed, the degree of difficulty of the
exercises may be varied.
In addition to the above noted uses, several elements of the
exercise device may be used separately from the body support
structure. For example, the free ends of the hand-manipulated
springs 46 and 47 may be jointed together so that these spring
means may be used as conventional spring exercise devices, in and
of themselves.
The roller-bearing unit 48 also has a number of uses other than
those in conjunction with the body support structure. For example,
the operator may kneal on a supporting surface, such as the floor,
and grasp the handle 64 with each hand. While remaining on his
knees, he may shift his body between an extended and a retracted
position using the roller-bearing unit as support means for his
hands.
In addition, the wing nut 65 and its respective bolt may be removed
from the roller-bearing unit 48, so that the handle 64 may be
rotated 90.degree. to a position wherein its axis is aligned with
the roller pairs 52 through 54 and 55 through 57. The wing nut 65
may then be tightened so that the handle is securely fastened in
this position with the dents or alignment screws received within
holes 59 and 70a. With the handle 64 grasped by both hands, the
roller-bearing unit 48 may be used as a hand-operated massage
device for the body, by causing the roller pairs to be rolled back
and forth across the body portion to be massaged. Finally, the
handle 64 may be entirely removed from the roller-bearing unit 48
and the unit may be placed on a supporting surface (such as the
floor) with the roller-bearing arms 50 and 51 extending upwardly.
When in this position, the anti-skid material 67, 68, 69 and 70
will prevent movement or shifting of the unit 48 on the floor. The
operator may then sit on the body support structure 1 or an
ordinary chair or bench and place his feet upon the roller pairs.
Forward and rearward shifting of the feet will cause them to be
massaged by the roller pairs.
In the same fashion, the entire roller-bearing unit 48 may be
submerged in a vessel of water and the hands or feet may be
massaged while submerged.
As indicated above, means may be provided to adjust the height of
the body support structure from the floor or other supporting
surface. Any suitable extension means may be provided for the leg
means 5 and 6 and the support surfaces 31 and 36 of the brace 28.
These means may, for example, take the form of additional legs of
fixed or variable length removably attached to the above noted
elements.
For purposes of an exemplary showing, one form of height-adjusting
means is illustrated in FIG. 14. FIG. 14 is a fragmentary side
elevational view similar to FIG. 2, and like parts have been given
like index numerals. In this embodiment, the base assembly 2 is
provided with a pair of identical leg members, one of which is
illustrated at 73. The leg member 73 is provided with a pair of
notches 74 and 75. The forward leg means 5 will also be provided
with a pair of notches, shown in dotted lines in FIG. 12 at 76 and
77. The rearward leg means 6 will be similarily notched as
indicated at 78 and 79 in FIG. 11. As is indicated in FIG. 2, the
leg means 73 will be affixed to the leg means 5 and 6 by engagement
of the notch 75 in the notch 76 and the notch 74 in the notch 79.
It will be understood that the other leg (not shown), which is
identical to the leg 73, will have its notches engaged in the
notches 77 and 78 in the leg means 5 and 6 respectively. Finally,
an additional leg means 80 may be affixed to the supporting surface
31 of the brace 8. This leg means may, for example, have a stem 81
receivable in a perforation 82 in the brace. Where desired, the
stem 81 and perforation 82 may be threaded.
It will further be understood by one skilled in the art that the
additional leg means of FIG. 2 may be used with the body support
structure as set up in FIGS. 8 and 9. In this instance, the
additional leg means will be affixed to the leg means 5 and 6 in
the same manner as described above. Again, the additional leg means
80 may be affixed to the supporting surface 36 on the brace 28 in
the manner described with respect to FIG. 2.
Modifications may be made in the invention without departing from
the spirit of it. For example, while the spring means 46, 47, 71
and 72 have been illustrated in the form of coil springs, it will
be understood by one skilled in the art that resilient exercise
cables or the like would serve the same purpose.
Thus, as used herein and in the claims, the phrase "spring means"
is intended to refer to coil springs, resilient cables, or the
like.
In addition, the exercise device of the present invention may be
supplied with a selection of springs of various tension ratings so
that the degree of difficulty of a given exercise may be varied by
changing the spring or springs used. Further, springs of various
lengths may be used to better suit the size of the operator. Thus,
for example, shorter springs may be used if the operator is a small
person or a child.
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