US2632645A - Exercising apparatus and cabinet - Google Patents

Description

March 24, 1953 E. BARKSCHAT EXERCISING APPARATUS AND CABINET Original Filed July 20. 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 E. BARKSCHAT EXERCISING APPARATUS AND CABINET Original Filed July 20, 1949 March 24, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 March 24, 1953 E. BARKSCHAT 2,632,645

EXERCISING APPARATUS AND CABINET Original Filed July 20, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Jnn/rzfan W March 24, 1953 i E. BARKSCHAT ,6

EXERCISI NG APPARATUS AND CABINET Original Filed Ju1y 20,- 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INF"!!! Patented Mar. 24, 1953 EXERCISING APPARATUS AND CABINET Eric Barkschat, Chicago, Ill.-

Continuation of application Serial No. 105,846,

July 20, 1949.

Serial No. 299,193

19 Claims. 1

their instruction in the fine and scientific artof exercise. The apparatus is also adapted for use by people suffering from neuromuscular disturbances, such as multiple sclerosis, lateral sclerosis, infantile paralysis, etc., to rehabilitate and strengthen the affected muscles and develop new muscular abilities.

Objects of the invention are to bring a gymnaslum, and with as many features as possible, into the homes of physically handicapped persons in need of daily resistance therapeutic exercises and who are confined to small and restricted living quarters.

Since the apparatus may also be used by healthy persons, for exercising, an object of the invention may be said to be to make available apparatu serving as a home gymnasium or as a portable gymnasium.

The apparatus or gymnasium comprises a cabinet, a cord stretching device, a horizontal balancing bar, built in aggregating weights, stationary guide rods for the weights, and ropes leading over pulleys for raising and lowering the weights; a pair of parallel bars, adjustable in height and transverse spacing, foldable into the cabinet; and a table adjustably attachable to said parallel bars and adapted, to be stored in the cabinet when the apparatus is not being used.

The present application is a continuation of my prior application entitled Exercising Apparatus and Cabinet, Ser. No. 105,846, filed July 20, 11949, and now abandoned.

The various features of novelty whereby the present invention is characterized will herein- ;after be pointed out with particularity in the claims; but, for a full understanding of the invention and its objects and advantages, reference may be had to the specification, in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cabinet forming part of my invention, with the door closed and all of the other parts of the apparatus stored within or on the cabinet.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view, on a slightly larger scale, showing the cabinet door in a lowered, horizontal position, to serve as a main platform. and receiving support at the middle, from an v auxiliary platform.

This application July 16, 1952,

sponding ends on the door and at their other ends within the cabinet.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section through the close cabinet, on a plane parallel with the two side walls, with the table top and weight pulling mechanism omitted.

Fig. 5 is a section on line 55 of Fig. 4, showing only a part of the cabinet.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a combined trim strip and door support, detached from the cabinet.

Fig. ,7 is a vertical section, on the same scale as Figs. 4 and5, taken on line 11 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 8 is a section, on an enlarged scale,-on line 88 of Fig. 4.

Figs. 9 and 10 are rear elevations, on an enlarged scale, of the cabinet, showing only fragments of the cabinet and of parts stored on the outer side of the latter.

Fig. 11 is a top plan view of the closed cabinet with the auxiliary platform attached in position for use.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a hinged foot rest adapted to be mounted on the auxiliary platform.

Fig 13 is a perspective view, on-an enlarged scale, showing fragments of the table top, one

of the parallel bars and one of the clamps connecting these two members together.

Fig. 14 is a bottom view of the table top, showing only that part containing the slots used in mounting the clamps.

Fig. 15 is an elevational view of an end of one of the ropes.

Fig. 16 is a view, partly in section and on a larger scale than Fig. 15, showing the hook visible in the latter figure and the means for attaching it to the rope.

Fig. 17 is an elevational view of a rope pulling device adapted to be attached to a rope end by being engaged with the hook on the latter.

Fig. 18 is a perspective view of another rope pulling device adapted to be secured about an ankle or wrist of the user and be engaged with the hook on one end of one of the ropes. I

Fig. 19 is a side view, with parts appearing in section, of fragments of the cabinet and door, illustrating one of the parallel bars and the manner of mounting the latter. v

Fig. 20 is a section on line 20-20 of Fig. 19, with some of the parts appearing in elevation.

Fig. 21 is a section on line 2I-2l of Fig. 19.

,Fig. 22 is a section on line 2222 of Fig. 19.

Fig. 23 is a section taken on line 2323 of Fig. 22.

Fig. 24 is a section taken on line 24-24 of Fig. 22.

Fig. 25 is a perspective view of a portion of one of the stacks of integrated weights, together with the guides and the immediate lifting means therefor.

Fig. 26 is a top plan view of one of the individual weights, with the locking block omitted.

Fig. 27 is a section on a transverse, vertical plane, through the lowermost weight in a stack and a second weight immediately above the same.

In the drawings l represents a tall, rectangular cabinet provided with supporting elements, such as casters, 2, to permit it to be moved readily over a floor. The front wall of the cabinet is a, door 3 hinged to the :hody structure at the bottom, as at 4. On the inner side of the door, near the top, are two projecting, perforated ears 5, 5, that lie close to and parallel with the two side walls of the cabinet when the door is closed. Slidinglock bolts 6, 6 extend through such side walls in positions'to permitjthom to be moved inwardly through the ears to lock the door.

The bottom or floor '7 of the cabinet is constructed to provide therein a shallow free space or slot 8 that extends across the cabinet from side to side and from front to rear. Portions of the bottom above and below the slot project from the front of the cabin t the upper projection l being narrower than the lower pr jection 1. A trim bar '9,.as'long as the width of the cabinet, rests loosely on projection "l ,and contains in the rear side a slot 9 into which .the projection I -fits.

Associated with the cabinet is a loose panel I somewhat longer than one half the height of the cabinet and of less width than the width of the slot 8. This panel is of such thickness that an end thereof may be inserted in slot 18 while the other end is entered in the slot in the trim bar 9, after the trim bar has been detached from the cabinet. The parts are so proportioned that the trim serves as a foot which rests on the floor of a room to support the outer end of panel 10 at the same level as that of the inner end, engaged in slot 9*. When panel 1'0 ,is not'being used I it is held in a recess H in the rear wall of .the

cabinet; movable dogs I2 engaging the exposed face of the panel to keep it from falling out.

That portion of the panel 10 that is exposed in front of the cabinet,w-hen one endof thepanel has been entered in slot 8, and the other end is being supported by trim strip 9, contains two rows of holes, l4 and I5, that are near and extend parallel to the longedges of the panel. The panel may be :used in two ways, namely as a support platform :forlowered door and as a platform on which a foot rest may be mounted for exercises while the door is closed.

The foot rest comprises two boards 16, I6, connected together at meeting long edges by hinges :ll; two pins 18 projecting from each free long edge of the boards in the same spaced relation as the spacing between the rows of :holes in memher [0. The boards may be connected, :temp ra fl to the latter mem er, in various n ular positions relative to each other and in any n Of a p ural ty of positions len thwise of said member, by inserting the pins atone end of the two boards in any two holes in one of the rows of s. and inserting he other two pins in holes in the second row that are directly opposite the selected holes in the first row.

When the foot rest is not in use .it may be stored in a recess H 'in the back of the rear wall of the cabinet; dogs l2, similar to dogs l2, serving to hold the flattened device in such recess.

Within the cabinet are two shelves, [9 and 20, both being in the rear part of the cabinet, with their forward edges well back from the door. The upper shelf, I9, is not far from the top of the cabinet, whereas the lower shelf 20 is very ,near the floor of the cabinet.

Two pairs of guides 2|, 2| and 22, 22 stand in vertical, spaced relation to each other, near the back of the cabinet, and extend loosely through both shelves. The lower ends of the rods rest .on the cabinet floor. On each rod, loose and in engagement with the under side of the upper shelf is :a collar 24; each collar being held in place by a set screw 24 The rods serve as guides for weightsadapted to be raised and lowered by ropes as will hereinafter be described.

Within the cabinet, just in front of the shelves, and near the sides of the cabinet, are two sturdy uprights'.25,'26, supported at their upper andlower ends in such a manner that the distance between them may .be varied. The lower support, in each instance, is ;a short channe1 member 21 provided with cross pins 28 that extend between and are fixed to the flanges or sides of the channel in spaced relation to the connection web or bottom. The channel members .are fastened to the floor of the cabinet parallel to the front edges of the shelves. In the lower end of each upright is a slot .25, cut into the same along a diameter. "When the lower end of an upright is set into its channel member, with one of the Pins entered in the slot, the upright is held against turning movements .as well as against bodily lateral movements.

The upper support for each upright comprises an elongated bracket 29 that underlies the upper shelf and has a flange 29* engaged with and bolted to the latter. The front edge of the flange is parallel to the front edge of the shelf and contains triangular notches 29 each of which is directly over one of the pins 28. Each bracket also hasa vertical web element 29, also parallel to the front edge of the shelf and containing an elongated slot 29 extending lengthwise of the web element. The upper end of each upright is secured to the corresponding bracket by a bolt 30 that passes through a vertical slot 26* in the upright and through the slot in the bracket, while the upright is seated in one of the notches. The bolts are provided with wing nuts 3| which may be turned without using a tool. Slot 28 is long enough to allow the upright to be lifted clear of the pin 28, upon loosening the nut, and then .be shifted laterally without completely unscrewing the nut.

The uprights just described serve to support corresponding ends of a pair of horizontal parallel bars '32, 32 the other ends of which are adapted to be supported by .outer uprights mounted on the cabinet door, after the .door is swung down. The bars are connected to uprights '26 by sleeves 3% that slide up and down on the latter. Each sleeve has thereon a projecting ear 3 3 that is entered in a slot M in one end of the corresponding bar; a hinge pin 35 passing through the bar and ear. Each upright contains a series of holes 26 distributed lengthwise thereof. A hole 34 in each sleeve maybe brought into registration with any hole in the corresponding upright. On each upright, above the sleeve, is a loose ring 36 from which hangs, by a chain 37, a pin 38 that may be inserted in the hole in the Sleeve and then be pushed 'into any one of the holes in the upright with which it may be registering.

Hinged to an ear 32 on the under side of each parallel bar, near its free end, is an outer upright composed of an upper strut member 39 and a lower member in the form of a tubular post into which the strut slidably extends. Members 39 and 45 may be locked together by a pin 4|, similar to pin 38; the pin being hung from a ring 42. loose on the strut member, by a chain 44. Pin 4| is adapted to extend through a hole 45 in the post 7 member and any one of a series of holes 39 distributed along the strut member.

The outer uprights may be detachably connected to the cabinet door in the same spaced relation to each other as the selected spaced relation between the inner uprights. To this end the cabinet door is provided, near its upper end, with a pair of aligned, elongated, transverse slots 45, 45 placed near theside edges of the door. Cooperating with each slot is a combination foot and receptacle 46 for the lower end of one of the outer uprights. Each receptacle has at its upper end a section 46 of reduced diameter, forming with the body portion an annular shoulder 45 at their juncture. Part 45 extends through one of the slots in the door and also through large washers 4T, 41 one of; which lies on each side of the door. A nut 48, screwed on the free end of 'part 46*, serves to clamp the door and the washers between shoulder 45 and the nut. The body portion of the receptacle lies on the outer side of the door and, therefore, forms a foot for supporting the outer'e'nd of the door when the latter is lowered. The length or height of said body portion is equal to the thickness of the trim bar 9 so that when the door is lowered and its inner half rests on platform 15, the outer end is supported at the same level by the two receptacles 46. The receptacles may be shifted from one end of the slots 45 to the other, after loosening the nuts 48, 'so that the outer uprights, when their'free ends are set into the receptacles, have the same spacing as that of the inner uprights.

Receptacles 46 serve still another purpose, namely, that of supporting a horizontal balancing bar 49 that extends crosswise of and in spaced relation to thedoor of the cabinet in an overhead position. To this end the body portions of the receptacles are provided with bores 45 extending diametrically through the same near their outer ends; these bores being of the same diameter as the'bar 49. Bar 49 is provided with long slots d9 extending lengthwise of the bar near the ends of the latter. This arrangement allows the receptacles to be shifted along the balancing bar when shifting the receptacles to alter'the spacing between the outer uprights.

In addition to the two platforms formed by the lowered door of the cabinet and by the panel In. it is desirable to provide something in the nature of an elevated platform. For this reason I use a padded table top 5 I, about as long as the parallel bars and suificiently narrow to allow it to be placed upright in the cabinet, parallel to and directly behind the door. This table top is adapted to be detachably mounted on top of the'parallel bars after the door has been opened and the parallel bars are set up. Four clamp devices are used for this purpose, each containing a bolt 52 that extends down through a slot 5l in the table top; There are four ofthese slots located at the corners of a rectangle and lying at angles of 45 to the axis of the table top. With this arrangement of slots the table top maybe placed either-lengthwise or crosswise of the bars. The bolts are mounted permanently'inthe table top, with their lower, screwthreaded ends 52 lying well below the under side of the table top and having thereon wing nuts 54.

Each clamping device further includes two large washers 55 and 56; a resilient arm 51, one end of which lies between the washers, while the other end 5! is shaped to fit against the inner side of one of the bars and, curving underneath the bar, terminating in a finger piece 51* and a U-shaped key 58; the bolt passing through all four of these pieces. Washer 55, the one engaging the under side of the table top, contains peripheral notches 55 that are narrower than the width of the arm sections of the U-shaped key. The other washer contains peripheral notches 56 of the same width as the stock from which this key is made. The free ends of the arms of the key are narrowed, as at 58*, to fit into notches 55 and provide shoulders 58* for engagement with the under side of washer 55. These narrowed portions of the key are longer than the thickness of washer 55. The parts are further so proportioned that when shoulders 58* engage washer 55, washer 56 and clamping arm 57 are not gripped tightly between washer 55 and the key, but are only loosely held; whereby the clamping arm may be swung through about a quarter turn to engage it with and disengage it from the bar with which it cooperates;

Because the arms of the key 58 project above the upper face of washer 55 when the nut is tightened, the ends of these arms ars forced into the material of which the under'part of the table top is made and the washers and the key are locked against turning movements. This enables one to set each clamping device in the proper position to keep the clamping arm in proper working relation to the bar and prevent angular displacement out of the working position. The key needs only to be pulled loose from the table top to allow the whole clamp to be shifted lengthwise of the slot through which the bolt passes.

The weight pulling apparatus and the aggregating weight construction will now be described.

There are two sets of weights, one set being associated with guide rods 2| and the other set with guide rods 22. Each set comprises a stack containing any desired number of weights. Each individual weight 59 is preferably in the form of a heavy rectangular slab having openings 5!; through which the guide rods pass. Each weight contains, also, a large cylindrical bore 59 midway between the ends thereof; At the bottom of each bore is a narrow, internal, annular flange 59. Within such bore is a lock plug 60, round in cross section. Around the top of each lock plug is a narrow external flange (iii that is adapted to rest on the flange in the bottom of the bore in the weight; the major portion of the plug projecting downwardly from the bottom of the weight. The lower part of the plug, 60 is an inverted cone or frustum of a cone and, directly above this part, is a peripheral groove 60 that encircles the plug. Set screws 6! and 62 extend through the edges of the weight into bore 59*, directly above the flange at the top of the plug; to hold the plug loosely in place. Each weight also is provided with a lock pin 64, slidable radially of bore 59 into and out of the latter. Pin 54 is at's'uch a distancefrom the. top of the weight as to register with the peripheral groove in the lock plug on another weightthat is over lying and has its lock plug entered in the bore with which the lock pin is associated. The sliding movements of the lock pin are limited between a osition wherein it may extend d ply into the groove in the plug on the overlying weight and a position clear of the bore. This is conveniently accomplished by providing the pin with a peripheral flattened portion that forms a square-ended notch 64 and fixing in the weight a pin 65 that lies in the notch. With this arrangement, should a weight be lowered upon a second weight wherein the locking pin happens to be in its looking position instead of the release position, the down coming plug, by means of its conical lower end, simply pushes the locking pin out of the way.

Slidable on the guide rods, above each stack of weights, is a carriage 66 provided with a depending lock plug similar to those on the weights. This carriage may therefore be connected at will to the uppermost weight in a stack and, by setting the lock pins in that stack, any desired number of weights may be attached to the carriage. It should be noted that the lock pins have heads 64 at their outer ends, to facilitate shifting of the pins with ones fingers or, from a distance, by means of some device that will reach to and engage the heads of the pins.

Mounted in each carriage 66 is a pulley 6?. On the under side of shelf i9 is a hanger 53 that has a swivel connection 65 with the shelf to permit the hanger to turn freely about a vertical axis. A pulley "I is carried by this hanger. Supported by shelf :9, beside each pulley T0, is a pulley II. On the floor of the cabinet, below each pulley H, is a pulley l2.

Two ropes M, M, one for each set of weights, are provided. One end of each rope hangs from the front side of the corresponding pulley 10; the rope running back over the top of this pulley, down to and underneath pulley (it, up

and over pulley ll, then down and underneath pulley I2 and terminating in front of the latter pulley.

Each rope has at the ends means for pulling the same. In the particular arrangement shown, there is fixed on each rope, near each end, a long, stifi, sleeve-like handle that embraces the rope. On the extreme ends of the ropes are hooks 16. The shanks of these hooks preferably terminate in frustoconical coils it of resilient material. After slipping one of these terminals on and to a point well inwardly from an end of one of the ropes, an auxiliary hook i! is pressed into the rope with its stem W lying beside the latter and terminating in a ring or loop 18 that extends around the rope at the extreme end of the latter. When hook it is pulled back to the end of the rope the frustoconical terminal 15* embraces hook 17, with ring or loop 18 serving as a stop to prevent hook it from coming off the rope. Detachable handles or other pulling devices may be engaged with hooks 16; as, for example, hand grips 79, provided with grip pieces 19 and eyes 19* into which the hooks may enter. The ropes are of such lengths that normally the lower fixed handles '15 are close to the lower pulleys and serve as stops that prevent the ropes from pulling rearward of the pulleys; whereas the upper pair of fixed handles preferably do not engage pulleys 61.

For the purpose of exercising the lower extremities and lower portions of the body of the user I provide, instead of hand grips, means to be attached to the ankles. Such a means may consist of a divided cuff or sleeve 8!! provided with straps 8| surrounding the same and adapted to tighten it about an ankle; the sleeve having thereon a ring or loop 82 for engagement with one of the hooks 16.

When the apparatus is not in use the parallel bars and the outer uprights, attached thereto, together with the table top, are stored within the cabinet behind the closed door.

The apparatus heretofore described may be used in a great variety of ways, only a few of which will be described.

With the cabinet closed, the trim strip may be removed from the cabinet and attached to one end of the panel or platform [8 which, of course, must first be detached from the back of the cabinet. The other end of member it is then inserted in slot 8 in the bottom of the cabinet, with the trim strip resting on the floor. Standing on the platform thus created, the user may grasp horizontal balancing bar 69 and carry out various exercises to strengthen the arms and upper parts of the body. This platform prevents toppling of the cabinet under violent exercise.

One may attach the foot rest to platform l0, at the desired distance from the cabinet door and with the hinged boards arranged at any desired angle to each other. Then, with his feet resting on the near sloped board, one may grasp the elevated horizontal balancing bar and carry out exercises that stretch the cords in ones legs.

One may lie, stand or sit on the lowered door and exercise with the ropes and weights, using the fixed handles 15, to strengthen the forearms and wrists; or using the detachable hand grips; or using the ankle devices if it be desired to exercise and strengthen the lower extremities or the lower parts of ones body.

When the apparatus has been set up with the paralell bars extending out over the lowered door, all of the usual exercises for which conventional parallel bars suited may be carried out. Since the spacing between the parallel bars and the distance of the bars above the lowered, horizontal door may be varied, it is possible toachieve practically ideal conditions for this type of exercise, regardless of the size of the person using the bars or of the particular needs of such person.

With the table top mounted on the parallel bars, the user may sit or recline on the same and exercise in various ways, using the weight pulling devices.

The manner of setting up the apparatus in various ways having been described, the storing of the parts in and on the cabinet will be explained, on the assumption that the foot rest has been used and not put away, the door or main platform is down, the parallel bars are ready for use provided that the table top is removed, and the table top still remains on the parallel bars.

The first step is to place the foot rest in the proper recess in the back wall of the cabinet. Then the four clamps, holding the table top, are released and the latter is lifted off and set aside. The outer uprights are lifted out of the receptacles fixed to the door. Then, after unpinning sleeves 35 on the inner, stationary uprights, these sleeves are allowed to slide down to the floor of the cabinet. The parallel bars are then swung up beside the corresponding inner uprights. As the parallel bars are swung up, the outer uprights swing down and fold against the parallel bars. The table top is then set in the front of the cabinet and is loosely held in place by a chain 83 or the like, anchored at one end to one side wall of the cabinet and having at its other end a hook 83 for engagement with an eye 84 on the opposite side wall. The door is then closed and locked. Panel I is withdrawnfrom slot 8, the trim bar is detached, and the panel is then placed in the recess provided for the same on the back side of the cabinet. Finally, the trim bar is placed in position to close slot 8. The parallel bars and the outer uprights may be held in their folded positions within the cabinet by two short chains 85,"one at each side of the cabinet and each anchored at one end to the adjacent wall and detachably fastened at its other end to the same wall in any suitable way.

I claim:

1. 'In an exercising apparatus and cabinet, an

open-front cabinet, a door hinged to the lower end of the cabinet for swinging movements between a-vertical, cabinet closing position and a horizontal, lowered position in which it constitutes a platform, a pair of stationary uprights within and at opposite sides of the cabinet, a second, outer pair of shorter, lengthwise adjustable uprights, means to mount the uprights of thesecond pair to the upper end of the door, when the door is in the lowered position, so as to stand parallel to the other uprights, a pair of horizontal, parallel bars, and means to anchor each bar to the upper end of one of the outer uprights and to the corresponding inner upright, at any desired distance from the lower end of the latter.

2. In an exercising apparatus and cabinet, an open-front cabinet-a door hinged to the lower end of the cabinet for swinging movements between a vertical cabinet-closing position and a horizontal lowered position in which it constitutes a platform, a pair of inner stationary uprights in and at opposite sides of the cabinet, separate means at the upper and lower ends of said uprights to secure them in various spaced relations to each other, a second, outer pair of uprights, means to connect the uprights of the outer pair to the upper end of the door, when the door is in the lowered position, so as to stand parallel and in the same relation to the inner uprights, a pair of horizontal parallel bars, and hinge connections between each bar and the corresponding uprights of the two pairs to allow each bar to fold against the corresponding inner upright and the corresponding outer upright to fold into a similar position when the outer uprights are disconnected from the door.

3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein the connections between the outer uprights and the door comprise receptacles into which the lower ends of the uprights are set, and wherein the receptacles are mounted on the door so as to be adjustable from and toward each other.

4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2, where'- in the securing means for the upper end of each inner upright is a bracket provided with a slot that lies crosswise of the cabinet and with spaced seats for the upright on the front side, together with a bolt extending through a vertically elongated slot in such upright and through the slot in the bracket, while the securing means at the lower end of the upright is of the type that permits separation of the upright therefrom upon mere lifting of the upright.

5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein the'securing means for the lower end of each inner upright comprises a stationary member provided with parallel, vertical flanges standing crosswise of the cabinet, together with parallel pins spanning the distance between and secured to the flanges in spaced relation to each other lengthwise of the flanges, while the upright contains in the lower end a slot in which any one of the pins may be seated when the upright is lowered with the slot in registration with the pin.

6. In an exercising apparatus and cabinet, an open-front cabinet, a door hinged to the lower end of the cabinet for swinging movements between a vertical cabinet-closing position and a horizontal lowered position in which it constitutes a platform, a pair of uprights within and at opposite sides of the cabinet, slides on and adjustable along said uprights, a second, outer pair of shorter, lengthwise adjustable uprights, means to mount the outer uprights on the upper end of the door, when the door is in the lowered position, so as to stand parallel to the inner uprights, a pairof horizontal parallel bars hinged to the slides and extending to the upper ends of the corresponding outer uprights, and connectionsbee tween the bars and the latter uprights.

7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 6 having, in addition, a table adapted to rest on the parallel bars, and means to clamp th table to the bars.

8. In an exercising apparatus and cabinet, an open front cabinet, 2. door hinged to the lower end of the cabinet for swinging movements between a vertical position and a horizontal, lowered position in which it constitutes a platform, shelves in the cabinet, toward the top and near the bottom, a pair of uprights extending between said shelves within and at opposite sides of the cabinet, connections between the said uprights and the shelves to anchor the uprights in any one of a plurality of positions relative to each other, slides on and adjustable along the uprights, a, second pair of shorter, lengthwise adjustable uprights, means to connect the uprights of the second pair to the upper end of the door, when the door is in the lowered position, so as to stand parallel to and in the same relative spaced relation as the inner uprights, a pair of parallel bars, a hinge connection between each bar and One of the slides, and means for securing the bars to the upper ends of the outer uprights.

9. An apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein the outer uprights are hinged to the parallel bars, and wherein the connecting means be tween the door and the outer uprights comprises receptacles on the door in which the lower ends of the uprights are seated.

10. In an exercising apparatus and cabinet, an open front cabinet, a cabinet-closin door hinged at its lower end to the cabinet for swinging movements from a vertical position to pair of parallel bars, means for attaching each bar to the upper end of one of the outer uprights and to the slide on one of the inner uprights to secure the bars in parallel relation to each other, a table, means to fasten the tabl in position on top of said bars, and a weight pulling apparatus in the cabinet provided with aesaet l1 handles accessible to a person seated or lying on the table.

11. An apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein the parallel bars are hinged to the slides and the members constituting the Outer uprights are hinged to the bars whereby, when not in use, such members and the bars may be folded to occupy vertical ositions in the cabinet while 'the slides are located in th lower part of the latter.

12. An apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein the means to mount the outer uprights to the door include fittings that protrude on the outer side of the latter, and wherein a horizontal balancing bar is secured to the protruding portions of such fittings in spaced relation to the door.

13. An apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein the means for mounting the outer uprights on the door are receptacles into which the lower ends of such uprights are set.

14. An exercising unit of the weightpulling type adapted to be mounted in a cabinet: said unit including pulleys to be placed, respectively, in the top and bottom of the cabinet, twov ropes each of which passes over an upper pulley and under a lower pulley, with the ends of the ropes standing free, two elongated handholds fixed to each rope, one near each end, each handhold being in the form of a sleeve surrounding the rope and serving as a stop to engage the adjacent-"pulley upon retraction of that rope end, and hooks on the extreme ends of the ropes for engagement with any of a plurality of rope pulling devices.

15. A terminal for a rope that forms part of a weight pulling exercising apparatus, consisting of an elongated hook lying beside an end of the rope with its book element at the inner end and embedded in the rope and having an enlargement at its outer end, and a terminal hook the stem of which merges into a frusto-conical, helical, resilient coil that fits over the rope and the first mentioned hook and rests at its outer end against said enlargement.

16. In an exercising apparatus and cabinet, a cabinet having at the front, near the top, a horizontal exercising bar, there bein a deep, wide slot in said front, near the bottom, a platform device adapted to be entered at one end into said slot and to rest at its other end on the floor, a foot rest composed of two boards hinged together at meeting long edges and each provided with a pair of pins protruding therefrom at the opposite long edge, and said platform containing'holes to receive said pins, said 12 holes being so arranged that the boards may be mounted on the platform in Various angular relations of one board to the other and at various distances from the front of the cabinet.

17. An apparatus as set forth in claim 16. wherein the cabinet has on the rear side, on the exterior, recesses in which both the platform and the foot rest may be stored so as to be accessible without requiring the cabinet to be opened.

18. A weight for cooperation in stack formation with like weights in an exercising apparatus comprising. a flat member containing a, cylindrical bore extending down through the same midway between its ends, a shoulder in said bore adjacent to the lower side of the weight, a loose lock block arranged in said bore and having at the upper end a peripheral flange resting on said shoulder and allowing the major portion of the block to project below the under sid of the weight, said block containing an external, circumferential groove a short distance below the weight, that part of the block below the groove being an inverted frustum of a cone, a lock pin extending slidably through the side of the weight to said bore at a distance from the upper face of the weight equal to the distance between. the groove and the lower face of the weight, said pin being long enough to allow it to be pushed into the bore far enough t enter the groove in an overlying weight device, and means to limit the lengthwise movements of the lockv pin between an inner locking position and an outer position wherein the inner end is clear of the bore.

19. A weight as set forth in claim 18, wherein the lock pin has at its outer end a knob for moving the same and wherein th weight is provided with a screw in position to overlie the flange on the block to hold the block down.

ERIC BARKSCHAT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 321,388 Ruebsam June 30, 1885 332,989 Benedict Dec. 22, 1885 337,942 Farley Mar. 16, 1886 1,052,962 Reach Feb. 11, 1913 1,646,818 Holland. Oct. 25, 1927 1,928,089 Blickman Sept. 26, 1933 2,472,391 Albizu June 7, 1949 2,474,060 Mosher June 21, 1949

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