U.S. patent number 3,751,033 [Application Number 05/208,152] was granted by the patent office on 1973-08-07 for combination of a chair and pedaling device.
Invention is credited to Walter Rosenthal.
United States Patent |
3,751,033 |
Rosenthal |
August 7, 1973 |
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.
Inventors: |
Rosenthal; Walter (7780
Konstanz, DT) |
Family
ID: |
22773393 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/208,152 |
Filed: |
December 15, 1971 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/60; 74/594.4;
482/63 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B
22/0694 (20130101); A63B 21/1609 (20151001); A63B
22/0605 (20130101); A63B 21/015 (20130101); Y10T
74/2168 (20150115); A61H 2209/00 (20130101); A63B
2210/02 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63B
22/08 (20060101); A63B 22/06 (20060101); A63B
21/012 (20060101); A63B 21/015 (20060101); A63b
021/22 (); A63b 023/04 () |
Field of
Search: |
;272/58,DIG.3,73,79R,79C,79D,DIG.4 ;128/25R
;273/79,81.2,81.3,168 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,435,830 |
|
Mar 1966 |
|
FR |
|
1,287,385 |
|
Feb 1965 |
|
NL |
|
1,335,110 |
|
Jul 1963 |
|
FR |
|
Primary Examiner: Pinkham; Richard C.
Assistant Examiner: Strappello; Harry G.
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.
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.
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