U.S. patent number 3,912,264 [Application Number 05/354,431] was granted by the patent office on 1975-10-14 for gymnastic apparatus.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Firma Bremshey Aktiengesellschaft. Invention is credited to Hans-Walter Busch, Fritz Busse, Gunter Dungs.
United States Patent |
3,912,264 |
Busse , et al. |
October 14, 1975 |
Gymnastic apparatus
Abstract
A gymnastic apparatus which comprises a car guided on upwardly
bowed rails through a center position, defined by the rail
structure and movable in both directions from the rail center
position by the tension of springs acting on it. Connecting means
for oar handle levers are provided, the levers protruding in a
direction transverse to the path defined by the rails, and which
are associated with the rail structure at its center.
Inventors: |
Busse; Fritz (Hilden,
DT), Busch; Hans-Walter (Solingen, DT),
Dungs; Gunter (Solingen, DT) |
Assignee: |
Firma Bremshey
Aktiengesellschaft (Solingen-Ohligs, DT)
|
Family
ID: |
27431481 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/354,431 |
Filed: |
April 25, 1973 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
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Apr 26, 1972 [DT] |
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2220436 |
Apr 12, 1973 [DT] |
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2318374 |
Apr 12, 1973 [DT] |
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2318455 |
Apr 12, 1973 [DT] |
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2318456 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
482/72; 482/118;
73/379.06 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B
21/157 (20130101); A63B 22/0076 (20130101); A63B
2022/0082 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63B
69/06 (20060101); A63B 009/06 () |
Field of
Search: |
;272/57B,72 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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1,083,705 |
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1967 |
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GB |
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657,806 |
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Nov 1963 |
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IT |
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Primary Examiner: Pinkham; Richard C.
Assistant Examiner: Taylor; Joseph R.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Montague; Ernest G. Ross; Karl F.
Dubno; Herbert
Claims
We claim:
1. A gymnastic apparatus comprising:
an elongated rail structure including:
a pair of upwardly bowed spaced apart rails,
a carriage shiftable on said rails along a path from a center
position to opposite sides thereof,
a traverse connected to said rails and lying below said path,
and
spring means for biasing said carriage toward said center upon
displacement to opposite sides thereof;
a pair of opposing transverse arms projecting inclinedly upwardly
and outwardly from said structure at said center thereof and
clearing said rails;
mounting means at said traverse and removably receiving each of
said arms and securing same against movement relative to said
structure;
a respective oar-handle lever articulated at the free end of each
of said transverse arms for swinging movement about a respective
pivot axis in a rowing motion, said carriage being shiftable on
said rails to opposite sides of said pivot axes;
a respective brake at each of said pivotal axes for providing
frictional resistance to the swinging movement of the respective
oar-handle lever; and
means at each of said pivot axes for rendering the respective brake
effective to provide frictional resistance to each oar-handle lever
in only one sense of its swinging movement while rendering the
brake ineffective and permitting free swinging movement in the
opposite sense, said mounting means comprising:
a shoe form-fitting into said structure and engaging said traverse;
and
a pair of upwardly and outwardly extending sleeves fixed to said
shoe and forming sockets receiving the respective arms.
2. The gymnastic apparatus defined in claim 30 further
comprising:
means enabling tilting of said pivotal axes in a direction
transverse to the elongation of said arms.
3. The gymnastic apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said sleeves
lie wholly within the plan outline of said carriage.
4. The gymnastic apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said shoe
comprises a base plate, said traverse having a bottom member
resting upon said base plate.
5. The gymnastic apparatus defined in claim 1 where said carriage
is formed with a seat, said apparatus further comprising: a cushion
overlying said seat and form-fittingly engaging same.
6. The gymnastic apparatus defined in claim 1, further comprising a
counter on at least one of said arms and counting the strokes of
the respective lever.
7. The gymnastic apparatus defined in claim 1, further comprising
means for anchoring chest pulls to said structure.
8. The gymnastic apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein each of said
brakes comprises at least one frictional disk and said means for
rendering each brake effective includes a pawl and ratchet
mechanism.
9. The gymnastic apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein each brake
includes at least one friction disk and means for adjusting the
friction force thereof.
10. The gymnastic apparatus defined in claim 1, further comprising
a foot rest spanning said rails; and means enabling adjustment of
the position of said foot rest along said path.
11. The gymnastic apparatus defined in claim 10 wherein said foot
rest is provided with recesses at its opposite end receiving said
rails.
Description
The present invention relates to a gymnastic apparatus having a car
which is guided on rails and which is movable to opposite sides
from a central rail position under the tension of springs which act
on it.
Such apparatus, in which outside drive is dispensed with, can used
for general physical training also for the simulating certain
common movements in skiing.
The object of the present invention is to provide a strong
gymnastic apparatus of this kind which is simple to manufacture and
favorable for use in such manner that training can be given in
customary movements of other sports besides those previously
mentioned.
This object is obtained in accordance with the present invention in
the manner that connecting means for oar like levers are associated
with the rail structure in its central section, the levers
protruding transversely to the rails.
In this connection it is advantageous for the connecting means to
be formed in accordance with the invention by a shoe which is in
form-fitting engagement with the center cross tie of the rail
structure and which has laterally upwardly and outwardly extending
sockets for the insertion of the oar handle levers.
According to a feature of the invention the oar-handle levers at
the end of their projecting plug-in arm have brake joints as
intermediate pieces for transition to the handle arms, which brake
joints can be adjustable.
The brake joints can be capable of tilting in transverse direction
for the removal of the plug-in arms.
According to another feature of the invention a detent mechanism,
and preferably a ratchet blocking mechanism, is associated with the
brake joints.
Furthermore the sockets of the shoe should not extend beyond the
carriage plate.
Also in accordance with the invention the shoe can have a base
plate in which the feet of the central cross tie of the rail
structure stand.
An advantageous embodiment comprises a transversely extending foot
support which is preferably displaceable in the longitudinal
direction of the rail structure.
In this connection it is advantageous in accordance with the
invention for the foot support to be capable of being attached to
the rail structure.
Furthermore, a seat cushion can be placed on the carriage and can
have a supporting bead on at least one transverse edge and can be
held in nondisplaceable position by form-fitting engagement. j
The gymnastic apparatus of the invention is suitable as previously
for general physical training, while retaining the possibility of
simulated dry-run ski training, and is also suitable for training
for rowing. For this purpose a pair of oar-handle levers are
associated with the rail structure in its central section by the
insertion of pin type connecting means which can be removed again
at any time without the use of tools. These oar-handle levers
protrude in the transverse direction. The connecting means is a
shoe. The latter is merely placed on the central cross tie of the
rail structure. It has been found that the central cross tie of the
rail structure. It has been found that the corresponding
form-fititing engagement is entirely sufficient, particularly as
the shoe has a base plate on which not only the weight of the rail
structure but also the weight of the person performing the training
rests. In this way a satisfactory fixing in position of the shoe
which holds the oar handle levers is obtained. The handle levers
themselves are also adapted to be connected by a detachable pin
connection to the shoe. Accordingly such an accessory can be
collapsed to save space and easily stowed between the rails of the
rail structure. The handle arms which connect as an intermediate
piece with the oar handle levers via brake joint can also be bent
away at an angle when not used. The brake joints which are
adjustable in order to change the frictional resistance can at the
same time be used to secure this collapsed position by simply
increasing the braking pressure. The structural measure of
arranging the brake joints so that they can tilt in the direction
transverse to the protrusion of the socket arm serves to assure
exercise which is as close as possible to actual conditions. The
idle path of nonresistant stroke in the one direction of movement
which is also necessary in this sense can be obtained by the pawl
or ratchet gear. As the "rowboat" seat there is used the carriage
which ski training is used in as the "binding." A seat cushion can
be associated with said carriage as described. In order to fix the
seat cushion in position, one of the transverse edges of the
carriage which has a rim. The corresponding transverse edge serves
either for the direct resting of a supporting bead of this cushion
or it has a groove which is transverse to the direction of travel
and into which a transverse edge of the car enters in form-fitting
fashion. A foot support can also be associated in very simple
manner with the rail structure. This foot support can have toothed
slats which, in combination with means on the rail structure side,
permit stepwise displacement of the foot-support location
point.
If the removal of a shoe is to be dispensed with in a gymnastic
apparatus of this type, it is advantageous in accordance with the
invention for the connecting means to be formed of sockets which
are seated on obliquely inwardly descending arms of the central
feet or cross tie of the rail structure.
One embodiment has the sockets located on the bottom of the arms
which consist of flat metal strips.
A feature of the invention is that the arms are bent in S-shape and
the sockets fill in formfitting manner the lower open S-angle.
Furthermore, it is proposed in accordance with the invention that
the 2 feet consist of a strap bent out of a single piece, the
central apex section of which is equipped with a foot plate.
It is advantageous in accordance with the invention for the foot
plate to sit on the bottom surface via a central, bent section
which extends between the points of attachment of the foot
arms.
The connecting means for the oar-handle levers are arranged on the
gymnastic apparatus itself, so that adapting the apparatus for the
purpose of rowing is limited merely to plugging in the oar-handle
levers. The provision of the sockets on the obliquely inward
descending arms of the feet of the rail structure fixes in
advantageous and mutually stabilizing manner the angle of insertion
of the oar handle levers which accordingly are held in the position
of use most favorable for actuation. The sockets lie extensively in
a region which is covered by the rail structure, so that there is
no danger of injury from protruding parts in the different
exercises, regardless of the nature thereof. It is therefore
advantageous that when the gymnastic apparatus is not in use, i.e.
when it is being stored, there is merely required an area for the
storing thereof which corresponds substantially to the bottom
contour of the rail structure itself. The fastening of the sockets
to the obliquely inward descending arms can be effected by welding,
threading, hooking, bonding or the like. The sockets also have a
favorable effect on the stability under load of the arms in the
manner that they also support the S-bent arm parts with respect to
each other, i.e. stiffen them, thus obtaining the advantage that
only a slight thickness of material is necessary for the arms which
consist of flat material. For the stability of the apparatus it is
desirable that the horizontal section of the flat metal strip
forming the obliquely descending arms distributes the downward
acting compressive forces uniformly over the 2 feet of the rail
structure. Furthermore, the compressive forces are taken up very
favorably in the central region of the strap forming the feet. The
strap in this embodiment is provided with a support in the region
on which the greatest compressive forces act, this support
preventing a bending of the strap even under extreme load. The
space between the horizontal section of the obliquely descending
arms and the central vertex section of the strap forming the feet
can be utilized in favorable manner for the fastening of an
additional spring on the frame.
The foot support may be located at any selected place of said rail
structure, and can assume an oblique position which is favorable
for the supporting of the feet; the foot support can be associated
with the rails in a canted force fit.
In this connection it is favorable if, in accordance with the
invention, the foot supports have an opening extending from their
side edge and the inside dimension of which is greater than the
height of the rail profile.
One advantageous structural shape is obtained in accordance with
the invention by a recess extending from the lower edge of the foot
support.
Furthermore, it is proposed in accordance with the invention that
at least one of the cross ties connecting the rails be provided
with a series of holes for the hooking therein of chest pulls.
One advantageous feature of the invention consists in the fact that
the rails are roughened on their bottom.
It is furthermore proposed in accordance with the invention that
the foot-support plate be provided near its bottom edge with holes
for the insertion in of chest pulls.
Finally, another feature resides in providing the foot-support
plate having foot-insertion loops.
If the structure is used as a rowing-training apparatus there is
great advantage in an individually adjustable foot-support
position. The foot support provided for this purpose can be quickly
fastened to the gymnastic apparatus and can be adjusted infinitely
variably on the rails. Special fastening means such as toggles,
detents, etc., are unnecessary. Rather the foot support is held on
the rails in a canted force fit. For this purpose the support has
an opening extending from each of its side edges. The inside
dimension of the openings is greater than the height of the rail
profile. The size of this inside dimension accordingly also
determines the angle of inclination of the foot support which is
provided at its lower edge with a tunnel-shaped recess for the free
passage -- thus avoiding wear -- of the springs which hold the
carriage in the rail central position. By roughening the bottom of
the rails, a slip-free retention of the foot support can be
obtained without the application of any substantial pressure forces
for the effecting of the canting clamped fit. If such a
foot-support plate is provided in the vicinity of its lower edge
with holes for the attaching of chest pulls, even the pulling force
is advantageously utilized to hold the foot support fast. The foot
support can in practice be shifted further outwards from the seat
of the carriage. If the foot-support plate is also provided with
foot insertion loops, a displacement from the car side of the point
of support can even easily be brought about from the seat. In the
extreme case, the chest pulls can be hooked, with a gaining of
space, in the rows of holes of the cross ties connecting the
rails.
In order to indicate to the user the force applied, it is proposed
to associate a temperature-indicating instrument with the brake
means.
Advantageously a graduated ring of the temperature-indicating
instrument is adjustable relative to the pointer.
Another advantageous feature of the invention of the invention is
established by a counter which is associated with the swing lever
and which has a counting step which acts in the end position of
swing of the lever.
In this connection it has been found to be desirable in accordance
with the invention for the temperature-indicating instrument to be
seated on a covering cap of the brake device which shifts with the
swing lever.
The temperature instrument is seated on a supporting bracket which
extends from the fixed brake disk and the brake disk which moves
with the swing arm is formed as a covering cap for the fixed brake
disk and is seated on a driving bushing which can be connected with
a hub of the swing lever by a coil spring which forms the one-way
lock in such a manner that the coil spring fastened on the hub side
is tensioned with radial constriction upon actuation of the lever
in a direction towards the circumferential surface of hub and drive
bushing.
The force applied can thus be read off precisely. The measurement
which can be effected with high precision has the advantage that
the user can so program his expenditure of energy in advance that
at each exercise period the same amount of force is applied or, at
the discretion of the user, it can be increased or reduced in
precisely predetermined increments. Such an indicating instrument
is of particular assistance in initial exercises with the gymnastic
apparatus in establishing a health-promoting level of energy
consumption and accordingly protects the user against
overstraining. The temperature-indicating instrument can be set to
a reference value of "zero" at any room temperature. Thus it is not
necessary that the room temperature must be subtracted from the
reading indicated in order to obtain the true value of the force
expended. An even more accurate picture of the force is provided by
the fact that the individual oar movements are also counted. In
this connection a predetermined goal of expenditure of force can be
favorably determined on basis of the individual oar movements
required. The temperature indicating instrument is advantageously
so arranged that the force applied can be read off even during the
exercise, for which purpose the indicating instrument is fastened
in such a manner that after the force-expending movement of the oar
towards the body, the indicating instrument lies within the field
of view of the user. The indicating instrument can also be located
on a fixed portion of the structure so that it is always in the
field of view of the user. The cover cap for the fixed brake disk
can turn by 360.degree. without bringing the indicating instrument
into a position unfavorable for viewing. Another advantage is that
the cover cap can be in direct engagement with the driver sleeve so
that the coil spring transmits the rotation of the hub seated on
the swing lever to the cover cap, and the latter by rubbing on the
fixed brake disk produces the thermal energy for the measurement
reading of the indicating instrument. The driving of the cover cap
is effected by the force-locked action of the coil spring in a
quiet manner so that in one direction of movement the entrainment
of the cover cap and in the other direction of movement a free
backward swinging is possible even without the use of a ratchet and
pawl means.
The subject matter of the invention will be explained in further
detail below with reference to to the accompanying drawing in
which:
FIG. 1 is a side view of the gymnastic apparatus in accordance with
the first embodiment, shown with its basic equipment, in which it
can be used for general health training and for dry-run ski
training,
FIG. 2 is a top view of the gymastic apparatus,
FIG. 3 is a section along the line III--III of FIG. 1,
FIG. 4 is a top view, corresponding to FIG. 2, of the gymnastic
apparatus with additional accessories for simulated rowing,
FIG. 5 is a cross section through the rail-guided carriage with
associated seat cushion,
FIG. 6 is a partial diagram of the rail structure with associated
foot support,
FIG. 7 is a cross section along the line VII--VII of FIG. 4,
FIG. 8 is a front view of the shoe-like plug-in connecting
means,
FIG. 9 is a top view thereof,
FIG. 10 is a side view of said plug-in connecting means,
FIG. 11 shows the brake joint by itself,
FIG. 12 is a top view of FIG. 11,
FIG. 13 is a cross section along the line XIII--XII of FIG. 12,
FIG. 14 is a variant of the brake joint,
FIG. 15 is a side view of the gymnastic apparatus in accordance
with a second embodiment,
FIG. 16 is a top view of FIG. 15 with oar handle levers
inserted,
FIG. 17 is a cross section along the line XVII--XVII of FIG.
15,
FIG. 18 is a side view of the gymnastic apparatus in accordance
with a third embodiment,
FIG. 19 is a top view of this gymnastic apparatus with accessories
for the simulated training of rowing movements and to explain the
foot support which is detachably associated with the apparatus,
FIG. 20 shows a portion of the apparatus on a larger scale,
FIG. 21 is a section along the line XXI--XXI of FIG. 20,
FIG. 22 is a top view of a modified embodiment of a brake joint
showing the force indicating means,
FIG. 23 is a section along the line XXIII--XXIII of FIG. 22,
and
FIG. 14 is a corresponding longitudinal section showing another
variant.
The gymnastic apparatus has parallel extending cantilevered guide
rails 1, and 2 having a bridge-like (upwardly bowed) longitudinal
curvature. The rails are connected with each other via uniformly
spaced distance pieces 3 and transverse cross ties 4 and 5 located
at the ends.
A car 6 travels on the rails 1, 2. The base plate 7 thereof is
covered by a cross-ribbed rubber mat 8 which is also laid over the
upward directed transverse edges 9. In order to hold this mat 8 in
such a manner that it will not slip, integrally formed anchorings
10 lying on the base plate side protrude outwards and hook into
corresponding holes 11 (see FIG. 5).
The longitudinal edges of the base plate 7 are bent at the bottom
to form bearing lugs 12. The latter bear guide rollers 13. A total
of four guide rollers 13 are provided. They are provided with
flanges 14 resting against the wide surfaces 1', 2' of the rails in
order to guide the car 6. The car is under the tension of springs
15 and 16 which act on it.
The spring 15 is anchored to the end cross tie 4 of the apparatus,
while the spring 16 is attached to the opposite cross tie 5. The
anchoring is in each case established by clamps 17 which are
fastened to the cross ties 4, 5 with the formation of a passage
opening corresponding to about twice the cross section of the
springs. The free end of the spring is turned over. The eye-like
section extending on the outside of the clamp 17 bears a filler
piece 18 which prevents the pulling through and thus the loosening
of the springs 15 and 16 respectively.
The attachment to the car is also effected by a clamp which leaves
free a larger passage space 20 with due consideration of the
multi-layer nature of the spring which is developed, for instance,
in the form of an elastic band. The clamp 19 serves at the same
time to hold fast an additional spring 21 which at one end is also
anchored, again with the use of a clamp 22, to the middle section,
raised high in the form of a bridge, of a center cross tie 23 which
supports the rails 1, 2 of the rail structure S. This center cross
tie 23 is developed in U-shape. The free ends of its arms act on
the bottom of the rails 1, 2. The arms of the U-shaped strap
converge in the direction towards the bottom so that all protrusion
on the outside of the rails is avoided.
The springs 15, 16 hold the car in the middle position shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2. The training apparatus the basic design of which has
been shown in the preceding paragraph can be used in this form for
general training exercises, and in addition also for simulating
specific customary movements in skiing.
With the addition of the accessories shown in FIGS. 4 to 13 this
training apparatus can be used for an additional special type of
sport, namely rowing.
The corresponding accessories are the shoe-like plug-in connecting
means shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the ore handle levers shown in FIG.
4, as well as a seat cushion, shown in cross section in FIG. 5, and
finally a foot support in accordance with FIG. 6.
The shoe-shaped plug-in connecting means Sch has the base plate 24.
Sockets 25 of cross section extend approximately from its central
section. They assume an obliquely upward directed course. Within
the region of the narrow edge 26 of the base plate these sockets 5
are again bent, namely in a slightly forward pointing direction.
Approximately in the region of this bend 27 there commences a belt
section 28 extending from the central section of the base plate 24
and bent off from the narrow edge 26 but in the direction of the
sockets 25, this section 28 being connected with the socket, for
instance by welding. Its angular arm extending parallel to the
socket forms with the socket sections there an insertion shaft 29
for the center cross tie 23 of the apparatus. The U arms 23', after
the plug connection has been effected, rest against the angle arms
extending parallel to the narrow edge of the base plate 24.
The width of the center cross tie is adapted in dimensions to the
insertion shaft 29 so that a secure plug-in connection is
obtained.
As can be seen from FIG. 7, the feet 30 of the center cross tie 23
are seated on the base plate 24.
The ends of the sockets terminate approximately at the height of
the rails so that the base plate 7 of the car 6 does not
protrude.
Oar handle levers 31 detachably associated with the sockets 25
pass, via brake joints 32, into the handle arms 33. The limitation
for distance of insertion of the oar handle levers which are
adapted in cross section and thus secured against rotation is
established by the zone of bend 27.
The joints 32 which make possible the required bending movement
between oar handle lever 31 and the handle arms 33 are also
tiltable in direction transverse to the protrusion of the handle
arms, as corresponds to what is actually the case in the movement
of oars. This tiltability is obtained by a cross pin 34 which
passes through the transverse bore 36 formed by a bushing 35 in the
oar handle lever 31 and is connected with the bearing lug 37 of a
carrying plate 38 which has a tilt stop in the form of a bolt 39
which passes through the U-shaped space of this bearing plate.
The bearing plate is the support for the brake-joint pivot pin 40
on which the fixed brake jaws 42 and 43, which are provided with
the brake liners 41, are placed the upper (42) of said brake jaws
developing a rim 43' which faces towards the bottom side and in
cooperation with the brake jaws 42 and 43 forms a housing receiving
a toothed disk 45. The toothed disk is held between liners 41 The
disk 45 of the brake joint 32, which disk is toothed on its edge,
cooperates with a pawl 46 which engages into the tooth spaces 47,
this taking place as a result of actuation of the handle arm in the
direction indicated by the arrow x. The flattened and possibly
solidly developed ends 33' on the brake joint side of the handle
arms 33 which are otherwise made with the use of a tube profile are
supported for swinging around the pin 48 which passes through a
fork piece 49 extending from the pivot pin 40. A second pin 50 also
passing through the fork space forming the pawl housing forms the
limiting stop for the handle arm end 33'. This pin 50 lies at such
a distance from the stop-side end which corresponds to the depth of
the tooth spacing so that the lifting of the pawl 46 out of the
toothed disk 45 is made possible. With the lifting out of the pawl,
the free passage necessary for the simulating of actual conditions
is established.
In order to change the braking force, the brake jaws 42 and 43 can
be pressed more or less firmly against each other by means of the
adjusting handle 51. The adjusting wheel 51 is continued by a
threaded bolt 52 which cooperates with the internal thread 54 of
the brake pivot pin 40 with the interposition of an elastic pack of
disks 53. The brake jaw 43 on the bottom side rests on a shoulder
55 of the pin 40, while the adjusting handle or the interposed pack
of disks 53 acts against the narrow edge 56 of the collar 56 formed
on the upper brake jaw 42.
In order to prevent relative movement of the two brake jaws, a
protrusion 57 formed on the bottom-side brake jaw 43 enters into a
recess 58 of accurate contour in the edge 42' of the upper brake
jaw 42.
The variant shown in FIG. 14, instead of the detent mechanism 46
connected rigidly with the handle arm 33 in FIG. 12, has a locking
tooth 59 arranged movably on the pin 48 which is spring-loaded in
the direction towards tooth engagement, and therefore of
ratchet-like nature. The development of the locking teeth is
effected in corresponding manner. The spring acting on the pawl 43
is designated 60. The screw 50 which otherwise forms a stop serves
here to fasten the handle arm 33 to the fork piece 49.
The free ends of the handle arms are provided with handles 62
having annular ribs in order to improve the grip.
A transversely extending foot support 63 which is displaceable in
longitudinal direction of the rail structure can be associated with
the latter. The foot support rests on the rail travel surface and
consists of a piece of pipe. The open ends thereof are provided
with caps 64. The latter consist of elastic material.
Parallel-extending racks 65 extend from the foot support which is
formed from a length of pipe. The downward facing tooth spaces 66
can optionally be connected with spacer members 3 which extend from
rail to rail and are of corresponding diameter so that a stepwise
adjustment of the foot support is provided. The racks 65 extend on
the inner sides 1' and 2' of the rails 1 and 2.
In order to assure a comfortable seat, a seat cushion 65
consisting, for instance, of upholstered foam is associated with
the car. The upward extended rear supporting bead 67' of the
cushion comes against the transverse edge 9 present there and is
furthermore fixed also by the other transverse edge 9 in order to
obtain nondisplaceable association with the car, the said
transverse edge 9 entering into a transverse groove 68 on the
bottom of the cushion 67.
The required nonslipping of the rail structure S is established by
rubber caps 69 or the like placed over the free rail ends.
The connecting means can also be developed in the form of a screw
connection.
In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 15 to 17, the same basic
construction is retained, for which reason the reference numbers
have been transferred accordingly insofar as they are necessary for
an understanding.
In contradistinction to the embodiment of the gymnastic apparatus
described above, the connecting means for the oar handle levers are
now associated directly with the apparatus. The pertinent
construction is as follows: in the central plane of the guide rails
1, 2 there extend from said rails downward obliquely descending
arms 70', 70" of a central cross tie 70.
The arms 70', 70" are obtained by bending sections of a continuous
flat metal strip into the shape of an S. The horizontal connecting
section 70'" of the arms 70', 70" is secured by screws 72 to the
central vertex section 73' of a multiply bent strap 73 the
horizontal bottom sections 73" of which form feet 74, 75.
The central section of the vertex section 73' forms a U-shaped foot
plate 77 bent off at an angle on the bottom side and the downward
bent section 77' of which rests on the bottom 76. Between the foot
plate 77 and the horizontal section 70'" of the central cross tie
70 there is secured the one end of an additional spring 21, the
other end of which spring 21 is held by the clamp 19 which also
secures the springs 15, 16.
Sockets 78, 78' are seated on the bottom of the obliquely inward
descending arms 70', 70". These sockets extend on the bottom side
up into the lower open S angle W and fill the latter. The zone
there is thus stabilized. The free end of these sockets 78, 78'
terminates with the outside of the rails 1, 2. The sockets are made
of oval pipe. The flat sides rest over a large area against the
bottom side of the arms 70', 70". They are fixed by spot-welding in
the manner which can be noted from FIG. 17.
When the gymnastic apparatus is used as rowing apparatus, the oar
handle levers 31 which also have an oval cross section at least on
the insertion side are inserted in the sockets 78, 78'.
In order to make possible from the standpoint of support a
favorable adaptation to the size of the user, a transversely
extending, plate-like foot support 100 which is infinitely
adjustable in longitudinal direction is associated with the rail
structure in accordance with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 18 to
21. This foot support 100 is held on the rails 1, 2 by a canted
clamping fit. As path of displacement there is available
practically the entire free rail length on both sides of one or the
other distance member 3.
The foot support is transversely ribbed for a more dependable
supporting of the foot of the user. This transverse ribbing can be
effected directly on the body of the plate or can be effected
subsequently by the application of a correspondingly ribbed rubber
mat.
The plate edges 100' of the foot support 100 are each provided with
a niche-like opening 101. These openings lie at the same height.
Their inside dimension M is greater than the height H of the
profile of the rail so that the foot support 100 is at the angle
alpha obliquely to the arch of the rail. Under extreme oblique
position, the foot support can even be moved to directly in front
of the cross ties 4, 5. Upon the supporting of the feet, the force
P acting on the head-heavy section of the foot support 100 which
extends from the rails causes the application of the diagonally
opposite edges K1 and K2 of the openings. Only by eliminating the
force P can the foot support 100 be displaced again. The base 102
of the opening 101 is so dimensioned that a lateral swinging of the
foot support between the rails 1, 2 is possible without prevention
so that the foot support 100 can be removed at any time free of
hooking from the rail structure.
From the lower edge 100", a recess 104 extends for the unimpeded
passage of the spring 15. On both sides of this recess, the foot
support 100 is provided with holes 105 for the hooking of chest
pulls 106, said holes being arranged in the vicinity of the lower
edge 100". The load which thus acts in the same direction also
favors a canted clamping seat of the foot support 100.
Corresponding holes 107 or rows of holes are also provided on the
cross ties 4 and 5 connecting the rails 1 and 2. As can be noted
from FIG. 20, these cross ties are of angular cross section and
connected, for instance, by welding with the rails 1, 2.
The bottom of the rails 1, 2 is roughened. The roughening is
designated by R. Such a roughening also favors the slip-proof
attachment of the foot support. Since such a roughening is provided
on the bottom, there is also no impairment of the smooth running
surface, for instance in the form of the formation of a large
amount of noise.
On one of the side edges 100' of the foot support 100 could be
provided a rotary spring 109 (compare the point-dotted lines in
FIGS. 20 and 21) which spring 109 supports itself with one arm 11D
or a bow on the guide rail 1 and/or 2, preferably from below and
secures in this manner the foot support 100 also in case of nonuse
safely in its clamping position. The other arm 111 is secured on
the foot supportside edge 100'. For this purpose the arm end is
angularly bent on the end side and inserted into a bore of the foot
support. The turning section of the rotary spring 109 is in an end
edge recess and is retained by a screw or a driven-in nail 112.
If, as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, foot insert loops 108 are provided
on the bottom surfaces of the foot support 100, the point of
support can be shifted by the user angling his legs and therefore
even when he has already assumed his seat.
The indication of the effort expanded with such a gymnastic
apparatus is developed as follows: in the embodiment in accordance
with FIGS. 22 and 23, each brake joint 32 has a head or pressure
plate 120 lying above a brake disk 21. From the brake disk 121
there extends an upward protruding bearing pin 122 which passes
through an opening 120' in the head plate 120 and extends above
same to such an extent that the overlying section 122' of the
bearing pin 122 has a sufficient guide length. This section 122' is
provided with a fine thread.
The section 122' bears a corresponding adjusting handle 51 having
an internal thread. By means of this handle, the distance between
the head plate 120 and the brake disk 121 can be displaced. Between
the head plate 120 and the brake disk 121 there is interposed an
annular brake liner 123 on which there rests a rotatable disk 124
arranged concentrically on the bearing pin 122 and which, its edge
being raised, is developed as a toothed rim.
The pin 122 supports the end section 125 of the handle arms 33
which is swingable on it. The end 125 is freely movable between
ball bearings 126, 127 independently of the clamping force of the
brake joints 32, a cover cap 128 covering the disk 121 being
arranged between the ball bearing 126 and the handle arm 33.
Upon the pulling of the adjusting handle 51, the tensioning force
which occurs is transmitted via the head plate 120, the handle arm
end 125, the ball bearings 126, 127 to the disk 124. The pressing
pressure of the disk 124 against the brake liner 123 increases
accordingly upon the pulling of the adjusting handle 51 and
decreases upon the release of the adjusting handle.
The handle arm 33 is provided in the region of the edge of the
cover cap 128 with a bolt 129 which passes through the cover cap
and bears a pawl 130 on its lower section 129'. The detent 130' of
the pawl 130 is in engagement with the face toothing of the gear
rim of the disk 124. Upon the swinging of the handle arms 33 in the
direction indicated by the arrow x, therefore, both the cover cap
128 and the disk 124 are also rotated.
Uon the swinging of the handle arms 33 in opposite direction, the
pawl 130 comes out of the gear rim and is swung back with the
handle arm 33, the cover cap 128 also being swung back, but the
disk 124 remaining stationary.
Upon this rotation, frictional forces occur between the disk 124
and the brake liner 123 so that the heat produced can be noted by a
temperature indicating instrument 131 which is seated on the cover
cap 128. By change in position of the scale pointer, which, for
instance, is seated on a bimetallic coil, the increase in heat or
effort can be read off from a graduated ring 133.
The graduated ring is arranged for rotation on the temperature
indicating apparatus 131.
The number of the individual rowing movements is furthermore
counted by a step-by-step counter 134 which is located in the
vicinity of the bolt 129 on the handle arm 33. The step-by-step
counting mechanism 134 is provided for this purpose with a stepping
finger 134' which lies in the region of swing of the handle arm 33
over a step counting stop 135 which protrudes from the brake disk
121 which is fixed for rotation and extends to above the region of
the cover cap 128. The step counting stop 135 is adjustable on the
circumference of the brake disk 121. On the bottom of the brake
disk 121 there is provided a supporting plate 136 which has
laterally bent, downward extending bearing lugs 136'. Between the
bearing lugs 136', the end 137 of the oar handle lever 31 is passed
through by a transverse bolt 138, the ends of the transverse bolt
138 being arranged for rotation in the bearing lugs 136'. The
handle arms 33 in this way are swingable not only in the horizontal
direction but also in the vertical direction, as corresponds to
actual rowing movement.
In the variants shown in FIG. 24 there is also provided a brake
disk 140 from which there extends a bearing pin 141 which is fixed
in position and which is provided in the region of its end 141'
with a fine thread. An adjusting handle 142 is screwed onto this
thread. The adjusting handle strikes against a ball bearing 143
which strikes the end section 144 of the handle arm 33 which is
placed over the bearing pin 141. The end section 144 has a profile
of a flattened double pipe. The brake disk 140 bears a brake jaw
145 which rests against a cover cap 146. The cover cap 146 is
rigidly connected with a driving sleeve 147 which on the top has a
fitting hole 147' into which a ball bearing 143' is inserted. The
head surface 148 of the ball bearing 143' extends slightly beyond
the upper section of the driving sleeve 147 and bears a hub 149
which is rigidly connected with the end section 144 of the handle
arm 33. The handle arm 33 is thus freely swingable by the
arrangement between the ball bearings 143, 143' independently of
the tensioning force. The hub 149 of the handle arm 33 and the
driver sleeve 147 have the same diameter and are surrounded by a
coil spring 151 which in uninstalled condition has a smaller inside
diameter than the outer diameter of the driver sleeve 147 or the
hub 149, so that the coil spring 151 under tension surrounds the
outer surfaces of the driver sleeve 147 and the hub 149. The upper
end 152 of the coil spring 151 is bent off in upward direction and
engages into a recess 152' of the handle arm 33; the other end of
the spring 151 on the other hand remains in unfettered
position.
Upon the swinging of the handle arm 33 in the direction indicated
by the arrow x, the said handle arm 33 carries along the end 152'
of the spring so that the rotation of the hub 149 is transmitted to
the driver sleeve 147 by radial constriction, the cover cap 146
being turned and accordingly frictional heat being produced by the
rubbing on the brake liner 145, this heat being transmitted to a
temperature indicating instrument 153. The temperature indicating
instrument 153 is fastened fixed in position on the stationary
brake disk 140 by means of a supporting bracket 153'. Upon the
swinging of the handle arms 33 opposite the direction indicated by
the arrow, the surrounding turns of the coil spring 151 are widened
so that the handle arm 33 is freely swingable in this direction
(idling). The intensity of the friction occurring between cover cap
146 and brake liner 145 can be varied by tightening or loosening
the adjusting handle 142 in the manner that by tightening the set
screw 142, the brake disk 140 and thus the brake liner 145 is
clamped more strongly against the cover cap 146. The directional
lock 154 formed by the coil spring 151 is surrounded by a
sleeve-like covering 155.
On the bottom of the bottom plate 140 there is provided in this
case also a supporting plate 136 which has bearing lugs 136' bent
off in vertical direction. The brake joint 150 is pivoted swingably
by means of a transverse bolt 156 in vertical direction on the end
section of the oar handle lever 31.
* * * * *