Exercising Machine Having Plural Exercising Implements Thereon

Abstract

An exercising machine comprising a foldable elongated base, a platform carried by and movable longitudinally of the base, adjustable springs biasing the platform toward one end of the base, a stop limiting movement of the platform toward the aforementioned one end of the base, a first foot rest carried by the base at the one end thereof, a downwardly foldable frame on the base adjacent the one end thereof, and a second foot rest carried by the frame at a level above the first foot rest and between the first foot rest and the opposite end of the base. Another downwardly foldable frame is carried by the base adjacent this opposite end thereof, this frame carrying exercising implements engageable by the hands or feet of a user on the platform. Certain of these exercising implements comprise stirrups connected by chains to laterally spaced, horizontal arms on the frame, such arms being pivotable about vertical axes between positions wherein they extend laterally inwardly toward each other and positions where they extend laterally outwardly away from each other. One of the exercising implements mentioned includes a transverse rod carried by the frame, a pulley movable laterally along the rod, a chain connected to the pulley and a handle connected to the chain, the rod being carried by an auxiliary frame pivotable between upper and lower positions.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to a gymnasium or exercising machine and, more particularly, to a portable machine which can be folded into a relatively compact package when not in use to minimize storage space. Thus, the portable gymnasium or exercising machine of the invention is well suited for home use, or in any area where storage space is limited.

The exercising machine of the present invention is of the general type disclosed in my U.S. Pat. No. 2,682,402, issued June 29, 1954. More particularly, the invention contemplates an exercising machine which includes an elongated base having first and second ends, a platform on and movable longitudinally of the base, spring means interconnecting the platform and the base and biasing the platform toward the first end of the base, stop means for limiting movement of the platform toward the first end of the base, and various exercising implements carried by the base and against which the user may push or pull to displace the platform in opposition to the spring means acting on the platform.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF INVENTION

A general object of the invention is to provide an exercising machine of the foregoing general character which incorporates various improvements on that disclosed in my aforementioned patent.

More particularly, an object of the invention is to provide an exercising machine wherein the spring-biased platform is a member on which the user sits, kneels, or stands in pushing or pulling against the various exercising implements to displace the platform in opposition to the spring means acting thereon.

Another object is to provide adjacent the first end of the base a first foot rest against which the user may push with his or her feet to displace the platform toward the second end of the base while seated. A related object is to provide the platform with a retractable rest against which the user may push while seated, or kneeling.

Another object is to provide an upstanding frame carried by the base adjacent the first end thereof, and a second foot rest carried by the frame at a level above the first foot rest and between the first foot rest and the second end of the base. With this construction, the user, while seated, may push against either the first, lower foot rest, or the second, upper foot rest, or both, thereby exercising different leg muscles.

Another object is to provide an exercising machine wherein the frame at the first end of the base is retractable downwardly, along with the second foot rest, and wherein the first foot rest is also retractable downwardly, the first foot rest being supported in its operative position by chains connected to the frame mentioned.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a downwardly retractable, upstanding frame on the base adjacent the second end thereof, and to provide various exercising implements on this frame and engageable by the hands or feet of a user on the platform.

Another object is to provide an exercising machine of the foregoing nature wherein certain of the exercising implements are stirrups respectively connected by chains to laterally spaced, horizontal arms on the frame at the second end of the base. A related object is to provide a construction wherein the arms mentioned are pivotable about vertical axes between extended positions wherein they project laterally outwardly away from each other, and retracted positions wherein they project laterally inwardly toward each other, thereby minimizing the amount of space required for such arms when the frame carrying them is retracted downwardly.

Still another object is to provide on the frame at the second end of the base a transverse rod, a pulley movable laterally along the rod, a chain connected to the pulley, and a handle connected to the chain. With this construction, various combinations of muscles can be exercised by pulling on the chain, while seated, kneeling, or standing on the platform, and simultaneously maneuvering the handle to cause the pulley to run back and forth laterally along the rod.

Another object is to provide a construction wherein the rod is carried by an auxiliary frame pivotable between upper and lower positions to vary the angle of pull by the user, thereby permitting the exercising of different combinations of muscles.

It will be noted that the various elements hereinbefore discussed which are carried by the base are all retractable downwardly relative to the base to minimize the amount of storage space required, which is an important feature.

Another important object is to provide means for readily adjusting the spring force applied to the platform by the spring means, by varying the number of springs acting on the platform.

The foregoing objects, advantages, features and results of the present invention, together with various other objects, advantages, features and results thereof which will be evident to those skilled in the exercising machine art in the light of this disclosure may be achieved with the exemplary embodiment of the invention described in detail hereinafter and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an exercising machine which embodies the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view, partially in elevation, and partially in section, taken as indicated by the arrowed line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are views respectively taken as indicated by the arrowed lines 3--3, 4--4 and 5--5 of FIG. 2 of the drawings; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a spring anchor of the exercising machine.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT OF INVENTION

The exercising machine of the invention is designated generally by the numeral 10 in the drawings and includes as its major component an elongated base 12 which may be placed on the floor, or any other suitable supporting surface 14. The base 12 is formed in two parts 16 and 18 pivotally interconnected by a transverse hinge 20, FIG. 2. This permits the part 18 of the base 12 to be pivoted in the counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 2, into a position against the part 16, thereby minimizing storage space requirements for the machine 10.

The exercising machine 10 includes a platform 22, preferably padded, which is movable longitudinally of the base 12 toward and away from one end 24 thereof. Such longitudinal movement of the platform 22 is achieved by rollers 26 thereon running in longitudinal tracks 28, FIG. 4, on the base 12.

The platform 22 is biased toward the end 24 of the base 12 by a spring means comprising laterally spaced, longitudinal, tension springs 30 some or all of which are connected to the platform 22 and to the base 12 adjacent the end 24 thereof, as will be described. In use, movement of the platform 22 toward the end 24 of the base 12 is limited by engagement of the platform with a stop 32 on the base. However, this stop may be pivoted downwardly into the position shown in broken lines in FIG. 2, and designated by the reference character 32', to permit the platform 22 to move into, and beyond, the position in broken lines in FIG. 2, and designated by the reference character 22'.

Considering the springs 30 in more detail, all of them are secured to fixed anchors 31 on the base 12 adjacent the end 24 thereof, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The other ends of the springs 30 are secured to movable anchors 33 (see FIG. 6) having hooks 35 and 37 selectively engageable with transverse anchor bars 39 and 41, respectively, on the base 12 and the platform 22. By engaging all of the hooks 37 with the anchor bar 41, all of the springs 30 are in use to provide the maximum spring force resisting movement of the platform 22. To reduce the spring force, as for women or children, some of the hooks 35 may be engaged with the anchor bar 39 on the base 12 to eliminate the forces applied by the corresponding springs 30. In effect, such springs are "stored." The anchors 33 may be shifted between the active anchor bar 41 and the storage anchor bar 39 readily by lowering the platform stop 32 and raising the foot rest 50 (to be described). This permits the platform 22 to move all the way to the end 24 of the base 12 to relax the springs 30 for easy shifting of the anchors 33 between the bars 39 and 41.

The base 12 is provided at the end 24 thereof with a frame 36 having the configuration of an inverted U the lower ends of the arms of which are pivotally connected to the base 12 by transverse pivots 38, FIG. 2. The frame 36 is pivotable downwardly against the base 12 and seat 22, when the machine 10 is not in use, to minimize the storage space required. In use, the frame 36 is supported in its operative position by two laterally spaced braces 40 pivotally connected to the respective arms of the frame by transverse pivots 42. The opposite ends of the braces 40 are disposed in sockets 44 on opposite sides of the base 12, and are secured in such sockets by pins 46. When the machine 10 is not in use, the braces 40 pivot into positions alongside the arms of the frame 36 to minimize space requirements.

A first, lower foot rest 50 is pivotally connected to the end 24 of the base 12 by a transverse hinge 52, FIG. 2. When the machine 10 is not in use, the foot rest 50 lies flat against the base 12, as shown in solid lines. In use, however, the foot rest 50 is pivoted in the clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 2, into a position somewhat beyond the broken line position identified in FIG. 2 by the reference character 50'. The foot rest 50 is supported in its operative position by transversely spaced, longitudinally extending chains 52 each connected at one end to the foot rest 50 and at its other end to the adjacent arm of the frame 36.

One of the exercises which can be performed with the machine 10 is to push against the lower foot rest 50 with one's feet while seated on the platform 22, thereby displacing the platform, against the force of the number of springs 30 in use, in a direction away from the end 24 of the base 12 and toward the opposite end 54 thereof. As will be apparent, by alternately pushing against the foot rest 50 and relaxing one's legs, the platform 22 is caused to reciprocate back and forth longitudinally of the base 12 to exercise the user's legs.

To brace the user on the platform 22 in pushing against the foot rest 50 while seated, or kneeling, the platform is provided at the end thereof farthest from the end 24 of the base 12 with a rest 56. This rest 56 is propped in an inclined position when the machine 10 is in use, by a brace 58 which is pivotally connected to the rest and which can be retracted against the rest to permit the latter to be folded downwardly as viewed in FIG. 2, for storage purposes.

The exercising machine 10 includes, adjacent the end 24 of the base 12, a second, upper foot rest 60 located above the foot rest 50 and between it and the opposite end 54 of the base 12. The upper foot rest 60 spans the space between the arms of the frame 36 and is connected at its ends to such arms. The foot rest 60 can be used in much the same manner as the foot rest 50, but requires elevation of the feet and legs to exercise different sets of leg muscles.

It will be understood that the exercising machine 10 can also be used by pushing on the frame 36 with one's hands while seated, kneeling, or standing on the platform 22, thereby exercising arm and shoulder muscles. If desired, the user may push on the frame 36 and the foot rest 50, for example, simultaneously to exercise still different muscle combinations.

The exercising machine 10 is provided at the opposite end 54 of the base 12 with various additional exercising implements which are carried by a frame 70 and which, as will be described, are utilized by pulling thereof, against the operative springs 30, while seated, standing, or kneeling on the platform 22. The frame 70 also has the configuration of an inverted U the arms of which are connected to the end 54 of the base 12 by transverse pivots 72 which permit the frame 70 to be folded downwardly against the base 12 to minimize space requirements. In use, the frame 70 is propped in its operative position by laterally spaced braces 74 pivotally connected to the arms of the frame 70 by transverse pivots 76. The other ends of the braces 74 are notched, not shown, to fit over transverse pins 78 on the base 12.

The arms of the frame 70 respectively carry pivoted horizontal arms 80 which may be swung through angles of 180.degree. between positions wherein they extend laterally inwardly toward each other, as shown in FIG. 5, and positions wherein they extend laterally outwardly away from each other, as shown in broken lines in FIG. 1. Stop pins 81 prevent swinging beyond these positions. Stirrups 82 are connected to the ends of the respective pivoted arms 80 by chains 84. As will be apparent, the user may exercise by pulling on the stirrups 82 with arms, hands, or feet, with the arms 80 either extending laterally inwardly toward each other, as shown in broken lines in FIG. 1. Thus, various muscle combinations may be exercised with this arrangement.

Also carried by the frame 70 is an auxiliary frame 90 which laterally spans the frame 70 and which is connected at its ends to the respective arms of the frame 70 by transverse pivots 92. The auxiliary frame 90 carries a transversely extending rod 94 which can be swung between upper and lower positions by pivoting the auxiliary frame 90 relative to the frame 70. The rod 94 is shown in its lower position in FIG. 5, and is also shown in it lower position in solid lines in FIG. 2. The rod 94 is shown in its upper position in broken lines in FIG. 2. Rollable laterally along the rod 94 is a pulley 96 connected by a chain 98 to the midpoint of a handle 100.

A variety of muscle combinations can be exercised by pulling on the handle 100 while standing, seated, or kneeling on the platform 22 with the rod 94 in either its upper position, or its lower position. By pulling on the handle 100 with a rocking motion, the pulley 96 can be caused to roll back and forth laterally along the rod 94 to change the point at which the pull force is applied to the rod, and thus change the specific muscle combinations being exercised.

As will be apparent, the exercising machine 10 of the invention provides a variety of exercising implements capable of exercising virtually every muscle in the body when used in sequence or at random, and in various combinations. Further, as was pointed out during the foregoing description, the various components connected to the base 12 can be folded against the base, and the base can be folded upon itself, to provide a very compact package when the machine 10 is not in use, thereby minimizing storage space requirements.

Although an exemplary embodiment of the invention has been disclosed for purposes of illustration, it will be understood that various changes, modifications and substitutions may be incorporated in such embodiment without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the claims appearing hereinafter.

Claims

I claim as my invention:

1. In an exercising machine, the combination of:

a. an elongated base having first and second ends;

b. a platform carried by and movable longitudinally of said base;

c. spring means interconnecting said platform and said base and biasing said platform toward said first end of said base;

d. stop means for limiting movement of said platform toward said first end of said base;

e. a first foot rest carried by said base at said first end thereof;

f. whereby a user on said platform with his or her feet against said foot rest may displace said platform toward said second end of said base;

g. an upstanding frame carried by said base adjacent said first end thereof; and

h. a second foot rest carried by said frame at a level above said first foot rest and between said first foot rest and said second end of said base.

2. An exercising machine according to claim 1 wherein said frame is pivotally connected to said base for downward folding movement relative thereto.

3. In an exercising machine, the combination of:

a. an elongated base having first and second ends;

b. a platform carried by and movable longitudinally of said base;

c. spring means interconnecting said platform and said base and biasing said platform toward said first end of said base;

d. stop means for limiting movement of said platform toward said first end of said base;

e. an upstanding frame carried by said base adjacent said second end thereof;

f. a transverse rod carried by said frame;

g. a member movable laterally along said rod;

h. a chain connected to said member; and

i. a handle connected to said chain.

4. An exercising machine according to claim 3 wherein said rod is carried by an auxiliary frame pivotable relative to the frame first mentioned between upper and lower positions.

5. In an exercising machine, the combination of:

a. an elongated base having first and second ends;

b. a platform carried by and movable longitudinally of said base;

c. spring means interconnecting said platform and said base and biasing said platform toward said first end of said base;

d. stop means for limiting movement of said platform toward said first end of said base;

e. a first foot rest carried by said base at said first end thereof;

f. whereby a user on said platform with his or her feet against said foot rest may displace said platform toward said second end of said base;

g. an upstanding frame carried by said base adjacent said second end thereof; and

h. exercising implements carried by said frame and engageable by the hands or feet of a user on said platform, said exercising implements including stirrups respectively connected by chains to laterally spaced, horizontal arms on said frame.

6. An exercising machine according to claim 5 wherein said arms are mounted on said frame for pivotal movement about vertical axes between positions wherein said arms extend laterally inwardly toward each other and positions wherein they extend laterally outwardly away from each other.