Combination Of A Chair And Pedaling Device

Abstract

A combination of a chair and an advanceable and retractable pedaling device. The pedaling device is pivotally secured to the bottom of the chair by a telescoping member. The telescoping member with the pedaling device may be adjusted at a desired angle for comfortable pedaling. The length of the telescoping member may be varied to suit the length of an user's legs. An adjustable counterforce device is provided to vary the force desired applied by the user. The pedaling device may be locked in place out of the way, under the chair.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to gymnastic devices in general, and in particular to a novel combination of a seating fixture with an integral pedaling device.

Forced immobilization of the body during prolonged air and land travel or continuous sedentary position at an office desk, in a theatre or public auditorium for extensive periods of time, causes marked discomfort. The body is held in a more or less cramped position and the natural continuous movements of the limbs and the body itself are impeded or severely restricted. Middle-aged and older persons, in particular, feel over-tired or "paralyzed" after such prolonged immobilization. Frequent recurrence of the immobilization of the lower extremities may result in permanent impairment of the circulation of these extremities, with consequent damage thereto and to the health of an individual. It has been found that the above-described dangers to a person's health, well being and the feeling of discomfort, after prolonged immobilization, when traveling by air or land, remaining continuously in a sedentary position, can be easily and almost completely prevented and overcome by providing means for light and frequent exercise in the sitting position.

Accordingly, it is an important object of the present invention to provide such means in the form of an integral combination of either a vehicle seat, office or public auditorium chair with a pedaling device, which will permit a convenient, light and frequent exercise of the lower extremities.

Another object of the invention is to provide a combination of the above character, in which the pedaling device is retractable under the seat of a chair with which it is integral.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a combination of the above character wherein the pedaling device is adjustable for the comfort of the person using it.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a combination of the above character, wherein the resistance to the pedaling motion may be varied, i.e. increased or decreased, according to the particular person's pedaling ability or need.

A further object of the invention is to provide a combination of the above character, which is simple in construction and operation.

These and other important objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawing showing, by way of illustration, one embodiment of the invention in which:

FIG. 1 is a general view illustrating the combination as used in an aircraft;

FIG. 2 illustrates the combination as used in an office;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the pedaling device forming a part of the combination;

FIG. 4 shows, in an exploded view the means of securing the pedaling device at a desired angle;

FIG. 5 is a section taken on line 5--5 of FIG. 3, illustrating the use of the counterforce device and

FIG. 6 illustrates in partial detail the upper end of the adjustable telescopic member as secured and the means for securing it to the chair.

Referring now to the drawing in detail the combination illustrated in FIG. 1 is shown as used in a passenger aircraft. To the underside of the seats 8, 10, 12 are pivotally secured, at 14, abjustable hollow steel telescopic members, generally indicated by the numeral 16, shown in greater detail in FIGS. 3, 4, and 6. Each telescopic member comprises an upper part 18, a middle part 20 and a lower part 22. The upper part 18 is pivoted, as mentioned above, at 14, to a bifurcated block 24, secured, in known manner, by screws 26, 28 to the underside, such as 30, of seat 8. Parts 18 & 20 are secured at desired points by bolts 19, 21 respectively.

The portion 32 of part 22 is formed with a hole 34 and radiating teeth 36 on both sides of said portion, as shown in FIG. 4. Secured to a base 38 are a pair of semi-circular blocks 40 of flexible steel material. Each of the blocks 40, is likewise formed with teeth 42, radiating from the aligned holes 44, as shown in the exploded view in FIG. 4. The portion 32 of part 22 is wedged between the blocks 40 and held at a desired angle by tightening the blocks 40 by means of a wing bolt 46, extending through holes 34, 44, nut 48 and lock washer 50, thereby firmly engaging teeth 42 of the blocks with the teeth 36 of part 22 in the chosen position.

Secured to the movable base 38 is an upright member 52 on which is mounted a roller bearing housing 54, for the shaft 56, to which are secured on both ends levers 58 and 60 bearing pedals 62 and 64, respectively.

The desired resistance to the force applied when pedaling, is provided by a counterforce device shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. The adjustable counterforce device consists of an arcuate member 66 extending the length of axle 56, a screw 68 engaging in a threaded bore 70 and by which variable pressure may be applied to member 66 and thus to shaft 56 by turning the knob 72. A knurled lock nut 74 secures the screw 68 in place, after the desired pressure has been reached.

As previously noted, the above combination has been described by way of illustration. The invention is obviously not limited to said embodiment. It may consist of a combination of an office chair and the pedalling device described, secured to the underside of said chair and extendable under an office desk, as well as retractable out of the way under the chair.

The combination can likewise be very useful in theaters, schools auditoriums and the like.

Claims

I claim:

1. In combination, a chair having an underside, a pedaling device secured to the underside of said chair, said pedaling device comprising a movable base, a substantially upright member secured to said base, a ball-bearing housing secured to said upright member, a shaft rotatably mounted in said housing, a pair of pedal levers secured to the ends of the shaft, respectively, pedals rotatable on the free ends of said levers, means for adjustably applying countertension, comprising an arcuate member mounted in said housing intermediate said shaft and said housing and extending the length of said housing, said housing having a transverse threaded bore, a screw threadedly engaging with said threaded bore for applying countertension to said arcuate member and thereby to said shaft, a locknut on said screw for securing said screw from displacement after adjustment, means for adjusting the distance of the pedaling device relative to the chair comprising a plurality of hollow members telescoping one into another, means for securing said hollow members to one another to obtain a desired length, means for pivotally securing the telescoping member with its one end to the underside of said chair, and means for adjustably securing its other end to said base, said means for adjustably securing said other end to said base comprising a pair of semi-circular blocks of flexible steel having aligned holes therethrough, said other end likewise being provided with a hole, said blocks and said other end being formed with teeth extending radially from said holes, the teeth of said blocks being engageable with the teeth of said other end and screw means extending through said holes for securing said other end in said desired position, relative to said chair.