Rowing lever exercise apparatus

Abstract

An exercise apparatus includes a basic stall bar unit and a pair of parallel bar units each having an attachment plate with a top hook for hooking over a stall bar and with the plate abutting the adjacent stall bars. A tubular parallel bar projects forwardly from each plate and a brace extends from the center of the parallel bar to the plate. A chinning bar has outer mounting rings adapted to telescope over the outer ends of the parallel bars. A shoulder unit includes tubular mounts telescopic with the parallel bars and a flexible connector for coupling to a rowing lever having a releasable pivotal connector for mounting upon a stall bar. The rowing lever is adjustable to permit proper extension of thereof for use as a part of the press unit or as a separate rowing lever exerciser. A bicycle type pedal unit has tubular mounts for releasable locking attachment to the parallel bars. A barbell and parallel bar bracket attachments are also provided as well as an exercise board and a supporting stool for use with the other elements. The board is provided with the necessary pad and straps for various exercises including calf exercises.

Parent Case Text

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application is a division of my application filed Mar. 29, 1973 with Ser. No. 346,168, which is now U.S. Pat. No. 3,874,657, which application is a continuation-in-part of my application filed Oct. 4, 1972, with Ser. No. 294,975, now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of my application filed June 4, 1970 with Ser. No. 43,337, also now abandoned.

Description

This invention relates to gymnastic equipment and particularly to a coordinated unit providing a plurality of different body building and developing devices in a compact unit.

Various individual exercise devices have been designed for assisting in the development of the body muscles and the like. Generally, individual devices are provided in a gymnasium, each of which is especially constructed for particular muscle exerise. Such an arrangement is, of course, acceptable in a gymnasium and other establishments without severe space limitations and where usage may justify the attendant expense of individual units. The use of such facilities, however, does require travel to and from the location having the desired facilities. Further, in some smaller facilities they may not have all of the desired muscle exercising devices for one reason or another. There is, therefore, a distinct need for a small compact unit which can be provided for relatively small facilities and even desirably as a home exercise gymnasium. Such a unit, however, should be extremely versatile in order to provide for a wide range of various individual exercises such as normally provided in a complete facility. Although various cabinet type devices have been suggested they have not generally provided a highly versatile type unit having the various desired exercising devices in a small compact arrangement.

SUMMARY OF PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention is particularly directed to a relatively small compact assembly providing all of the essential muscle buidling facilities in a single interrelated package. Generally in accordance with the present invention, a basic stall bar unit is provided consisting of a plurality of parallel vertically spaced bars for the usual basic fitness exercises. A pair of basic support parallel bar means is provided with each means having a releasable connection means at one end for selective connection of the corresponding parallel bar means individually and separately to the stall bars. The releasable interconnection is such as to provide a pair of forwardly projecting and laterally spaced parallel bars which are firmly interconnected in a releasable manner to the stall bars to readily support the weight of the personnel desiring to exercise on the equipment. The bars may, of course, be spaced for the various types of muscle exercises. Further, various other associated equipment is provided having means for releasable telescoped attachment to the parallel bars and providing for various intercoordinated exercises by releasably attachment to the parallel and stall bars. Thus, a chinning bar and barbell rack support for a bench press unit may be provided. Generally, an abdominal board as well as a supporting stool and a set of conventional barbells or the like are also employed to complete a self-contained home-type gymnasium. The unit preferably also provides for advanced exercise devices such as generally separately provided by a lat machine, a rowing lever as well as a leg press machine and calf exercise machine. In accordance with the particularly novel aspect and feature of the present invention, a bicycle type exercise attachment is also provided to permit exercising of the arms, legs and associated muscles.

Thus in accordance with a particularly novel and significant construction of the present invention, a stall bar assembly has plurality of stall bars extending throughout the depth of the unit between a pair of vertical supports with the conventional stall bar spacing. The stall bar assembly may form an integrated part of a storage cabinet or may be a separate unit which can be releasably mounted within a suitable storage cabinet. If desired, it can of course be incorporated in a form to be attached to a suitable wall or other supporting structure within a home or the like to form built-in home unit. The parallel bar means in accordance with a preferred and particularly novel construction each includes an attachment base member having a hook at one end to permit hooking of the base portion over the stall bars and with the base portion extending downwardly therefrom and abutting the stall bars to provide a firm support. A supporting tubular member as a parallel bar projects forwardly from the base and is preferably provided with an interconnecting strengthening brace attached generally centrally of the parallel bar and to the base to provide a very strong parallel bar construction. Then mounting of the parallel bars provides free outer end portions to permit the grasping by the exerciser and also forming a support for various exercise change elements. The parallel bars are preferably formed as hollow tubular members which are adapted to receive supporting members, internally and/or externally. For example, a chinning bar may conveniently be provided with outer mounting rings adapted to telescope over the outer ends of the parallel bars. Suitable locking means can, of course, be provided to permit locking of the chinning bar in position. A shoulder unit includes tubular mounts telescopic with the parallel bars for location to permit convenient resting of the unit on the shoulders. A rowing lever includes a releasable interconnection to be mounted upon a stall bar below the parallel bars and interconnected to the shoulder unit by a suitable flexible element such as a chain. The rowing lever is adjustable to permit proper extension thereof for use as a part of the press unit or as a separate rowing lever exercise.

The present invention thus provides a very compact and versatile gymnastic assembly which can be practically constructed at a very reasonable cost for use in relatively small facilities and particularly in the home, and/or an executive office. The apparatus may also be used as a "Home" physical therapy aid, thereby minimizing out patient visits to a hospital or clinic.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings furnished herewith illustrate the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention and in which the above advantages and features are clearly disclosed as well as others which will be readily understood from the following description of such embodiment.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a cabinet type gymnastic assembly unit constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a pictorial view of a rowing lever adapted to form a part of the unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a vertical fragmentary section illustrating a further modification to the structure, and particularly illustrating a lat machine for use with the structure shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view showing an alternative free standing unit constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of FIG. 4 showing the alternative attachment to the apparatus;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary front elevational view similar to FIG. 4 showing a cross bar unit mounted on the parallel bars;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 5 showing a further modified attachment in accordance with the invention providing a rowing lever unit which may be modified to provide a calf exerciser;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary view more clearly illustrating a part of the exercise unit shown in FIGS. 7 and 8;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary side view showing a bicycle attachment mounted to the unit of FIG. 4;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary top view of the structure shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a further pictorial view showing the board application of the invention; and

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary view of a board component shown in FIG. 12.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, the present invention is shown forming a part of a compartmented exercise device, including an outer cabinet 10 having an interconnected top wall 11 and floor wall 12 interconnected by vertical sidewalls 13 and 14. The front of the cabinet 10 is closed by pivotally or otherwise movably mounted doors 15 and 16. The doors 15 and 16 are preferably selected with the bottom edges 17 and 18 providing a vertical support in the open position, as shown. Thus, the lower door edges may be flush with the bottom exterior face of the wall 12 or spaced slightly above the bottom wall such that when inclined outwardly, the doors bear against the supporting surface upon which the cabinet 10 is placed thereby positively preventing forwarding tipping of the cabinet during the use of the apparatus as presently described.

The illustrated embodiment of the invention includes a stall bar rack 19 permanently fixed within the cabinet and in particular including a plurality of vertically spaced stall bars 20, which are equally spaced throughout the depth of the cabinet 10. The bars are shown spearately mounted within the unit between a pair of sidewalls 21 and 22 which extend parallel to and are spaced inwardly from the sidewalls 13 and 14 of the cabinet. The multiple wall construction provides added strength and stability and in addition defines storage areas to either side of the stall bar assembly. In accordance with a particularly important novel feature of the present invention, the exercising assembly includes a pair of special parallel bar units, shown mounted in parallel spaced relation to one of the stall bars 20 in the upper portion of the cabinet, and in place for use. Each of the arm units includes a base bracket 23 formed of a plate-like construction with an upper hook portion 24 which extends about the backside of a stall bar 20 and then over the top thereof to provide a depending parallel brace portion which extends downwardly and abutts the front edge or portion of the stall bars 20 immediately below the stall bar 20 upon which the hook portion rests. Each of the units further includes a similar parallel bar 25 attached to the base bracket 23 immediately below the hook as by welding and projecting outwardly therefrom. A reinforcing member or rod 26 is preferably secured between the parallel bar 25 and the depending brace bracket 23 to provide a very firm support for the parallel bar 25. The stall bars 20 and separate parallel bars 25 form the basic supporting unit for directly performing many exercises in the illustrated embodiment of the invention. Thus, the stall bars may be used directly without the parallel bars in place and with the parallel bars in place for various exercises.

In FIG. 1 a horizontal pull-up or chinning bar 27 is attached to the outer free ends of the parallel bars 25. The bar 27 is shown as a tubular bar member having similar ring-like supports integrally or otherwise fixedly connected to the opposite ends of the bar 27. The ring members slide over the free ends of the bar 25 to releasably mount the bar 27 in position for use. This construction may be provided with a relatively firm fit to prevent accidentally movement of the horizontal bar 27 from the parallel bars 25. Thus, as shown in FIG. 1, the bar 27 is conveniently located for chinning exercises and the like.

Other accessories may also be provided. For example, in FIG. 2 a pivoted weight arm or rowing lever unit is illustrated including a rod-like support 30 having a journal means 31 secured to one end. The illustrated journal means 31 is shown as a generally tubular member welded to the end of the arm 30 and having a pair of overlapping clamping plate-like extensions. Thus the member 31 may be opened to telescope over a stall bar 20 and establish a pivotal mounting thereto. The outer end of the pivot arm 30 is provided with a cross shaft 32 with weight means 33 suitably secured to the outer ends thereof such as in the manner of a usual barbell construction. With the lever arm pivotally mounted to a lower one of the stall bar 20 the user can manually grasp the cross shaft 32 to lift the weights 33. The user can stand in front of the device, or can stand with his legs straddling the bar 30 behind the weight 33, and grasp the bar 32 either between the weights or to the outside of the weights to provide a conventional rowing lever exercise. It also can be incorporated as a part of a calf machine or leg press unit as more fully developed hereinafter.

An additional separate lat machine attachment is shown in FIG. 3 which is fragmentary vertical section through the bar stall unit with the back wall 35 illustrated.

The lat machine adapter or attachment is shown including a supporting base bracket 36 similar to the bracket 23. Thus the bracket 36 includes an upper hook portion 37 adapted to hook behind and over a stall bar 20 with the bracket depending downwardly over the adjacent stall bars. A pulley support bracket 38 is welded or otherwise secured to the bracket 36 and projects outwardly therefrom with a pair of spaced pulleys 39 and 40 rotatably mounted within the bracket 38. A flexible rope or cable is fed over the pulleys 39 and 40 with a hand grip unit 41 provided on the outer depending portion of the cable and an adjustable weight unit 42 secured to the opposite inner end. This permits application of the unit in accordance with the usual features and applications of a lat machine.

In addition, the gymnasium assembly is preferably provided with an abdominal board unit 43 having a pair of hook members 44 secured at one end. The hook members 44 are shown as plate-like members adapted to extend over the front and top of a stay bar 20 to raise the corresponding end of the board to the desired height for the various exercises. Thus when it is attached to a stall bar, it can be located to provide a conventional inclined press apparatus.

The assembly with bar 27 can be lowered to locate the bar 27 beneath the armpit level, and the board 43 hooked on to bar 27. The user then stands within the assembly rests his arm on the bard 43 and raises and lowers a barbell unit, such as shown in FIG. 4.

In accordance with the present invention other exercise elements are provided with those illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 to produce a total exercise facility, as presently described.

Referring particularly to FIG. 4, a generally free standing gymnastic assembly similar to that shown in FIG. 1 is illustrated. In FIG. 4, a base member 43 is provided having a stall bar unit projecting upwardly therefrom, with a plurality of parallel vertically spaced stall bars 44 secured between a pair of vertical posts 45 and 46. The posts 45 and 46 are firmly secured to the base member 43 which may be of a sufficient size and weight such that it can be used without a minimum of any further attachment. The upper end is however normally secured to a suitable upper wall structure to insure a firm and stable support. The unit may also be removably housed within a suitable storage cabinet along with other accessories as in FIG. 1.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 4, wall pulley weight units 47 and 48 are secured with the vertical posts 44 and 45. Each of the pulley units may be of an essentially conventional construction and unit 48 is described. A top pulley 50 is rotatably mounted within the sidewall. A line 51 is looped over the pulley 50 and extends down and around a second pulley 52 with the opposite end of the line affixed secured to the wall 46 adjacent the pulley 50. An adjustable weight member 53 is mounted on the lower pulley 52 and thus pulls on the line hand grip unit 54 is secured to outer end of line 51. In use, the user grasps the hand unit 54 and pulls outwardly thereon in accordance with the conventional type wall pulley assembly. The weight system may of course be provided in any other suitable manner. For example, the ropes may be wound on a spring-loaded reel unit having an adjustable coil spring to vary the force or load on the rope.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 4-11 a pair of parallel bar units 55 and 56 essentially as shown in FIG. 1 are provided. Unit 55 is described and corresponding elements of unit 56 are identified by corresponding primed numbers. Unit 55 includes a plate-like hook base 57 having the upper hook portion for releasable attachment over a stall bar 44 in combination with a forwardly projecting parallel bar 58 which is braced by a similar tubular bar member 59. The parallel bars 58 and 58' are shown as tubular pipes of a sufficient structural strength to readily support the weight of the personnel which will be using and exercising on the assembly. In FIG. 4 the units 55 and 56 are shown located on a lower stall bar such that the user may do headstands employing the parallel bars for support.

The tubular extension construction as previously noted permits attachment of pull-up bars and other related devices. In FIG. 4, similar barbell support units 60 and 61 are provided on units 55 and 56. Unit 60 includes a tubular mount 62 adapted to slip over the hand portion of the bar 58. A U-shaped bracket 63 is secured to the upper wall of mount 62. Unit 61 is similarly constructed. The units 60 and 61 provide a support for a barbell unit 64 for any desired exercise. Thus, as shown in FIG. 4, the user may locate a stool 65 immediately forwardly of or adjacent to the supported barbell 64 with his back resting on the stool to lift the barbell unit 64 upwardly and thus forming an assembly, in essence, similar to or the same as the more conventional bench press rack. Such units conventionally have a framework for supporting of a barbell unit with an integrated bench upon which the user lies. The illustrated assembly of FIG. 4 may be modified by providing of a chinning bar unit 66 such as shown in FIG. 6 and used for push-up and/or pull-ups.

Bar 66 has similar telescopic mounts 67 for attachment to the parallel bars 55 and 56, with a spring loaded latch pin 68 in the opposite ends passing through mounts 67 and into appropriate openings in the bars. The mounts are shown secured within the bar 66 with inclined outer ends 69 for suitable wide arm pull-ups and other exercises.

As previously noted a rowing lever attachment such as shown in FIG. 2 may be provided and interconnected with the parallel bars to provide a calf exercise machine. A particularly advantageous structure is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

In FIGS. 7 and 8, a novel rowing lever 70 is shown with a preferred construction including a hinge clamp bracket 71 which spans and encompasses a pair of adjacent stall bars 44. The bracket 71 is formed of a pair of similar shallow U-shaped members hinged together at one end as at 71a. The opposite ends are provided with upwardly extending abutting flanges 72, with a bolt and wing nut unit 72a passed therethrough for firmly attaching of the clamp unit to the stall bars 44. A support shaft 73 is pivotally attached to the bracket 71 by a pivotal attachment which, in the illustrated embodiment of the invention, includes a pair of L-shaped pivot brackets 74 welded or otherwise secured to the clamp bracket 71. Support legs of the brackets 74 are spaced generally in accordance with the width of the support shaft 73. A pivot bolt membeb 75 extends through the extended legs of brackets 74 and the shaft 73 to pivotally attach the support shaft 73 to the clamp bracket 71 and therefore to the stall bars 44. The shaft 73 extends outwardly from the pivot support and is adapted to slidably receive an extension sleeve 76 projecting outwardly therefrom, and terminating in the outermost end in a variable weight means 77. The shaft 73 and the sleeve 76 are provided with appropriate openings to permit locking of the extension sleeve 76 in either of a plurality of positions, and in the illustrated embodiment of the invention, between a short position, as illustrated, when the device is to be used for a calf machine, and in an extended position, when it is to be used as a conventional rowing lever. More particularly, the shaft 73 is provided with axially spaced openings 79. The extension sleeve is provided with a single opening 80 which may be aligned with any one of the shaft openings 79. A pin-type key 81 is provided to firmly interlock the sleeve 76 to the shaft 73 in either of the selected positions.

The outer end of the sleeve 76 is provided with a laterally extending tube member 82, welded or otherwise secured to the undersurface thereof. A barbell shaft or rod 83 extends therethrough with suitable weights 84 secured to the barbell adjacent to the support tube member 82. The outer end of the barbell rod 83 is freely available for use as a rowing lever.

The upper surface of the outermost end of the sleeve 76 is provided with a hook member 85 for selectively receiving of an interconnecting means 86 to form a calf machine, such as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Generally, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment of the invention, a shoulder yoke unit 87 is provided which is specially constructed for releasable interconnection to the parallel bars 58 and 58' which are appropriately located with respect to the rowing lever 70 to form a calf machine. The yoke unit 87 includes a pair of appropriately spaced tubular arms 88 and 89 interconnected by a lateral brace 90. The arms 88 and 89 are adapted to mate with the tubular parallel bars 58 and 58', and in the illustrated embodiment of the invention are shown projecting onto the parallel bars. The lateral brace 90 is spaced inwardly from the arm ends which are adapted to project onto the parallel bars and thus provide a locating means for the inward projection of the yoke arms.

The yoke arms 88 and 89 project outwardly therefrom a significant distance and releasably receive similar shoulder pads 91, which are shown as tubular foam members telescoped over the ends of the arms.

The cross brace 90 of the yoke unit 87 is provided with a hook member 92 permitting selective connection of any one of the chain links of the illustrated flexible connector 86. The chain length is adjusted to raise the rowing lever 70 with the yoke unit 87 in a parallel position. In use, the personnel stands immediately in front of the rowing lever with the shoulder pads resting on his shoulders. The connecting chain 86 extends downwardly and inwardly of the rowing lever 70 and the yoke unit 87 is urged onto the parallel bars 58 and 58' to prevent slippage therefrom. The parallel bars 58 and 58' are located on the stall bars 44 to normally locate the yoke unit 87 below the level of the user's shoulders. Thus the parallel bar units 55 and 56 pivot about the stall bar 44 and the rowing lever 70 pivots about its pivot connection 75 to permit raising of the assembly. The shoulder pads 91 rest on and transmit the weight of the rowing lever 70 and particularly the barbell 77 to the user. The user then manipulates the unit by knee bends in accordance with the conventional calf machine.

Further, and in accordance with an important feature of the present invention, a bicycle unit 93 is provided for interconnection to the parallel bars, for example, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. The illustrated bicycle unit 93 includes a pedal support crankshaft 94 with end supporting units 95 and 96 for telescopic attachment with the parallel bars 58 and 58'.

More particularly, the crankshaft 94 includes end bearing projection 97 having a common axis. Similar ball bearing units 98 and 99 are secured to the shaft projections and each includes an outer exterior sidewall mounting bracket 100 which is otherwise secured to the side of a mounting tube 101 as by welding or the like. The tube 101 as illustrated is of a relatively short length and is adapted to telescope over the parallel bar. A locking screw 102 firmly interconnect tubes 101 to the bars and firmly supports the bicycle pedal assembly 93 upon the parallel bars. The crankshaft 94 extends between the parallel bars 58 and 58' and is provided with a pair of similar and oppositely offset generally U-shaped cranks or arms 102 and 103. Each of the arms has a base portion 104 spaced from the centerline defined by the common bearing mountings. This portion is relatively flat and a foot pedal member 105 is rotatably mounted thereon in any suitable manner. The foot pedal member 105 is adapted to accommodate the foot of the user in the normal manner, or the hand of the user. Thus by locating of the parallel bars at an appropriate level, the user can stand on the bicycle unit, grasp an appropriate upper stallbar 44 and pedal in the conventional bicycle manner. Alternatively, by placing of the parallel bars 55 and 56 on an upper stall bar, the pedals are located such that the user grasps the pedals with his hands vehicle standing on the floor, and rotates the pedal unit with his arms.

The abdominal board 106 is preferably constructed as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. A padded portion 107 is provided adjacent one end, covering a little over one-half of the board. The oppositie end is provided with stall bar hooks 108. A web strap 109 is provided adjacent the stall bar hook end and may be provided with an adjustable buckle arrangement, not shown. The board may be positioned on the stall bar, as shown, with the user lying on the board 106 with his feet supported within the web.

Further, a pair of flexible stirrup members 110 are provided in slightly spaced relation to the cross web 109 to permit further application of the unit. The boards's hook members 108 are such that the hook portion lies generally in the plane of the board 106, as shown in FIG. 13 with the hook portion bent upwardly over the end of the board such that the outermost hook end 111 lies generally within the bottom plane of the board. This permits placing of the board directly on the floor in a relatively flat position as in FIG. 13. A pair of calf support fabric loops 112 have connecting chains 113 which may be attached to a ring 114 on the board and thereby provide for the deep knee bend exercises, in accordance with the conventional manner.

The present invention thus provide a compact and extremely versatile assembly of gymnastic equipment which provides means for essentially all of the basic and advanced body building exercises. The illustrated attachments provide the necessary equipment for all of the exercises permitted in a complete full-facility gymnasium such as the YMCA, and commercial health establishments. Thus, assemblies as illustrated, provide the necessary sit-ups, push-ups, pull-ups, pressing, rowing as well as various leg and arm exercises with and without barbells or other weight elements such as provided by the lat attachment, wall pulleys and the like.

Further it is readily adjustable and adapted to personnel of various size, ability and the like. This invention thus provides a very practical unit and one which is readily adapted to normal manufacturing processes. The total cost of the assembly is minimized by the interchangeable and interrelated exercise elements and this with the compactness readily adapts the unit as a "home" gymnasium. Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplates as being within the scope of the following claims, particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the invention.

Claims

I claim:

1. A rowing lever exercise device comprising an inner pivotal mounting means for releasable attachment to a bar, a support shaft projecting outwardly from said pivotal mounting means, for pivotal mounting of said shaft on said bar, an extension member releasably secured to said shaft in any one of a plurality of positions along the axis of said shaft, said extension member extending lengthwise along said axis and being so mounted on said shaft so that as said extension member is moved along said shaft, the combined length of said shaft and said extension member is varied and a weight means secured to the end of said extension member outermost from said pivotal mounting means and having operating handles extending laterally to the opposite sides of the extension member adjacent said outermost end of the extension member.

2. A rowing lever exercise apparatus for attachment to a stall bar exercise means, comprising an inner pivotal mounting means for releasable attachment to a stall bar, a support shaft projecting outwardly from said pivotal mounting means for pivotal mounting of said shaft on said stall bar, an extension member telescopically and releasably secured to said shaft along the axis thereof for axial positioning of said extension member relative to the support shaft, said extension member being so secured to said shaft so that movement of said extension member relative to said shaft adjusts the combined length of the support shaft and the extension member as mounted together, and a weight means secured to the outer end of the extension member and having operating handles extending laterally to the opposite sides of the extension member.

3. The rowing lever exercising apparatus of claim 2 wherein said extension member is a tubular member, said shaft having a plurality of axially spaced openings and said tubular member having a similar opening for alignment with any one of said spaced openings, and a pin means releasably passed through the aligned openings to releasably secure the tubular member to the shaft.