US3759512A

US3759512A - Exercise machine

Info

Publication number: US3759512A
Application number: US00256562A
Authority: US
Inventors: A Yount; S Wells
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-05-24
Filing date: 1972-05-24
Publication date: 1973-09-18
Anticipated expiration: 1990-09-18

Abstract

A wheeled base is provided having front and rear ends with an occupant seat disposed on the rear end and an upright having its lower end supported from the front end of the base. A mount is supported from an upper portion of the upright for oscillation about a horizontal transverse axis and the mount extends laterally outwardly on opposite sides of the upright. A pair of spring biased levers are pivotally supported, intermediate their opposite ends from the opposite side portions of the mount for angular displacement about generally parallel axes normal to the axis of oscillation of the mount and an expansion spring is connected between the forward ends of the levers yieldingly biasing the forward ends together and the rear ends of the levers, which are disposed adjacent the seat, apart. Further, a pedal crank assembly is journaled for rotation about a horizontal axis beneath the mount from which the forced levers are supported and the pedal crank assembly is adjustable vertically as well as toward and away from the occupant''s seat.

Description

United States Patent Yount et al.

[ 1 Sept. 18, 1973 1 EXERCISE MACHINE [22] Filed: May 24, 1972 [21] Appl. No.2 256,562

[52] US. Cl 272/58, 272/73, 272/83 R, 272/DIG. 3

[51] Int. CL. A63b 21/22, A63b 21/32, A63b 23/04 [58] Field of Search 272/58, 73, 79 D, 272/82, 83 R, 72

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 11/1941 Maxwell 272/83 R 10/1971 Garten 272/79 R X 1/1962 Aronsohn 272/58 8/1928 Meyer 272/83 R FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 384,019 12/1932 Great Britain 272/69 547,710 5/1956 France 272/73 Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-Harry G. Strappello Attorney-Harvey B. Jacobson 57 ABSTRACT A wheeled base is provided having front and rear ends with an occupant seat disposed on the rear end and an upright having its lower end supported from the front end of the base. A mount is supported from an upper portion of the upright for oscillation about a horizontal transverse axis and the mount extends laterally outwardly on opposite sides of the upright. A pair of spring biased levers are pivotally supported, intermediate their opposite ends from the opposite side portions of the mount for angular displacement about generally parallel axes normal to the axis of oscillation of the mount and an expansion spring is connected between the forward ends of the levers yieldingly biasing the forward ends together and the rear ends of the levers, which are disposed adjacent the seat, apart. Furthena pedal crank assembly is journaled for rotation about a horizontal axis beneath the mount from which the forced levers are supported and the pedal crank assembly is adjustable vertically as well as toward and away from the occupants seat.

11 Claims, 7 Drawing; Figures PATENIEUSEH mars SHEET 1 OF 3 EXERCISE MACHINE The exercise machine of the instant invention has been primarily designed to provide an exercising apparatus capable of exercising the leg and hip muscles of an operator while simultaneously also enabling exercising of the arm muscles, rear shoulder muscles and pectoral muscles of the operator. The exercise machine is further constructed in a manner wherein the leg exercising portion thereof may be held stationary and utilized as a foot rest while exercising only the arms, shoulder and pectoral muscles of the operator and the arm exercising portion of the machine may be main tained stationary and utilized as a support for the arms of the user while he is exercising his legs.

The exercising machine includes several adjustment features whereby the machine may be adjusted so as to be adapted to the particular size of the exerciser and the leg and arm exercising portions of the machine are constructed in a manner whereby resistance to movement of the arm exercising and leg exercising portions of the machine may be varied.

The machine is mounted on a mobile base whereby it may be readily shifted in position within an exercising room or similar building structure and the seat portion of the machine may be provided with a seat belt, if desired.

The main object of this invention is to provide an exercising machine which may be utilized to simultaneously or selectively exercise the arms and the legs of the user of the machine.

Another object of this invention, in accordance with the immediately preceding object, is to provide an exercising machine which includes structure for support of the legs if only the arms are to be exercised in addition to structure for support of the arms if only the legs are to be exercised.

Another important object of this invention is to provide an exercising machine provided with a comfort able seat for the user.

A still further object of this invention, in accordance with the immediately preceding objects, is to provide an exercising machine with arm exercising and leg exercising components thereof which may be adjusted relative to the users seat whereby the machine may be readily adjusted according to the size of the user.

Another object of this invention is to provide an exercising machine constructed in a manner whereby the arm exercising and leg exercising components thereof may be adjusted to offer varying resistance to movement.

A final object of this invention to be specifically enurnerated herein is to provide an exercising machine in accordance with the preceding objects and which will conform to conventional forms of manufacture, be of simple construction and easy to use so as to provide a device that will be economically feasible, long lasting and relatively trouble free in operation.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the exercising machine of the instant invention;

FIG. 2is a top plan view of the exercising machine shown in FIG. 1 but on a somewhat enlarged scale;

FIG. 3 is a vertical, sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, transverse, vertical, sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, enlarged, vertical, sectional view of the vertical mid-portion of the righthand portion of FIG. 3 with alternate positions of the pedal crank assembly illustrated in phantom lines;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the adjustable pedal crank journal structure and friction drag structure for the pedal crank assembly; and

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the force lever arm exercising sub-assembly of the invention.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, the numeral 10 generally designates the exercising machine of the instant invention which includes a base referred to in general by the reference numeral 12 having front and rear ends 14 and I6 and a seat assembly referred to in general by the reference numeral 18 supported from its rear end 16.

The base 12 includes a thick sheet metal base panel 20 having a rounded forward end and a depending heavy gauge metal skirt 22 extending about and supported from its marginal edges. The four corner portions of the base panel 20 have caster wheel assemblies 24 secured to the under surface portion thereof in any convenient manner, such as by bolting, and the upper surface of the base panel 20 is covered with a suitable padding panel or carpet section 26.

The forward end 14 of the base 12 includes an upstanding slightly arcuate fence or bumper 28 supported therefrom and the central portion of the base panel 20 disposed immediately rearward of the bumper 28 has the lower end of a substantially vertical upright 30 secured thereto.

The upright 30 is generally channel shaped in horizontal section and opens toward the rear end-l6 of the base 12. The upright 30 includes generally parallel

opposite side flanges

32 and 34 inner connected by means of a forward bight portion 36 and the area of the bight portion 36 immediately above the fence or bumper 28 is provided with a vertically extending slot 38.

The seat assembly 18 is in the form of a conventional chair including opposite side front legs 40 and opposite side rear legs 42. A seat cushion supporting structure 44 extends between the

legs

40 and 42 and supports a seat cushion 46. The upper end portions of the legs 40 curve rearwardly at an elevation above the cushion 46 to form arm rests 40' and the rear ends of the arm rests 40 curve upwardly and then rearwardly before curving inwardly toward and merging with each other in order to form an upper horizontal handle 40". In addition, a back rest cushion 48 is received and supported between the rear ends of the arm rests 40'.

With attention now invited more specifically to FIGS. 1 and 7 of the drawings, a horizontally elongated and transversely extending mount 54 and including a pair of rearwardly projecting apertured mounting ears 56 is provided and oscillatably supported from the upper end of the standard 30 by means of a pivot fastener 58 secured through the

flanges

32 and 34 and the ears 56. The opposite ends of the mount 54 include spaced flange portions 60 provided with registered apertures 62 and the forward end portions of a pair of elongated force levers 64 are pivotally supported between the flanges 60 at the opposite ends of the mount 54 by means of pivot fasteners 66. The pivot fasteners 66 extend through the levers 64 at points spaced rearwardly of the forward end of the levers 64 and anchor pins 68 are secured through the forward ends of the lever 64 to define anchor points for the opposite ends of an expansion spring 70 connected therebetween.

The levers 64 each comprise tubular forward end portions 72 into whose rear ends the forward ends of rear end portions 74 are adjustably telescoped. The rear end portions 74 are provided with longitudinally spaced apertures through which a corresponding locking pin 76 is secured in order to maintain the desired adjusted length of the levers 64. The rear ends of the rear end portions 74 are provided with hand grips 78 to be engaged by the hands of the user of the machine disposed on the seat cushion 46 and it may be seen from FIGS. 1, 3 and 7 of the drawings that the mount 54 also includes a center anchor point 80 between which and the anchor pins 68 a pair of springs shorter than the spring 70 may be connected whereby the rear end portions 74 of the levers 64 may be urged outwardly away from the corresponding sides of the-seat assembly 18 independently of the other.

The base 12 also includes an upright referred to in general by the reference numeral 82 disposed immediately rearwardly of the upright 30. The upright or standard 82 includes a lower tubular portion 84 whose lower end is secured to the base panel in any convenient manner and an upper portion 86 whose lower end is adjustably telescoped downwardly in the upwardly opening upper end of the lower portion 84 by means of a locking pin 88 secured through the lower portion 84 and through a selected one of the transverse bores 90 formed through and spaced along the upper portion 86. The upper end of the upper portion 86 includes a rearwardly and upwardly inclined sleeve 92 through which a mounting shank portion 94 carried by ajournal block 96 is freely slidable. The mounting shank portion 94 is provided with longitudinally spaced transverse bores 98 and the sleeve 92 is provided with a transverse bore 100 through which a locking pin 102 may be secured as well as the transverse bore 100 in order to retain the mounting shank portion 94 in adjusted longitudinally shifted position relative to the sleeve 92.

The journal block 96 has a journal bore 104 formed therethrough in which the central journal shank portion 106 of a pedal crank assembly referred to in general by the reference number 108 is journaled. The assembly 108 includes a pair of oppositely directed pedal cranks 110 having pedals 112 mounted thereon and the assembly 108 includes a brake disc 1 l4 concentric with the journal pin portion 106 disposed on one side of the journal block 96 and a chain sprocket 116 concentric with the journal pin portion 106 disposed on the other side of the journal block 96.

The journal block 96 includes a generally radially outwardly projecting support arm portion 118 from which a friction pad structure 120 is supported by means of a guide pin 122, an anchor pin 124 and a compression spring 126 disposed about the pin or bolt 124 which serves to slightly cock the friction pad member or plate 120 so that the friction member 128 thereof is biased into frictional engagement with the opposing side face of the friction disc 114.

A bifurcated support member 130 is supported from the upright 30 by means of a bracket connected therebetween and an upper sprocket wheel 132 is journaled from the support member 130 and aligned with the sprocket wheel 116. The sprocket wheel 116 is drivingly connected to the sprocket wheel 132 by means of an endless chain 134 and the sprocket wheel 132 is drivingly connected to the core element (not shown) of a speedometer cable 136 by means of suitable gearing (not shown). The other end of the speedometer cable 136 is operatively connected to the rotary input shaft (not shown) of a conventional form of speedometer head 138 mounted atop the upright 30.

In operation, if it is desired to exercise the legs, the user of the exercising machine 10 first adjusts the heighth of the upper portion 86 of the upright 82 and thereafter before and aft positioning of the mounting shank portion 94 of the journal block 96 in order to properly position the crank assembly 108 relative to the seat cushion 46 and the backrest cushion 48. Thereafter, the wing nut portion of the fastener or bolt 124 may be adjusted so as to afford the desired frictional resistance to the turning of the disc 114. Then, the user of the exercise machine 10 may place his feet on the pedals 112 and cause the crank assembly 108 to be rotated by a bicycling motion of the legs. Of course, the speed of rotation of the assembly 108 will be indicated by the speedometer head 138 and if the latter is provided with a revolution counter, the total amount of work input to the pedal crank assembly by the legs of the user of the machine 10 may be at least intelligently approximated.

1f the user of the machine 10 also wishes to exercise his arms, he may, while turning the assembly 108 with his legs, also move the free rearward ends of the levers 64 toward each other against the biasing action of the spring 70. Of course, the levers 64 may be repeatedly swung together and away from each other, if necessary in timed sequence with the rotation of the assembly 108.

However, if the operator of the machine 10 wishes only to exercise his arms, the pedal crank assembly 108 may be engaged by the feet of the user and yet maintained in stationary position while the free rearward ends of the levers 64 are swung toward and away from each other. Also, if only the legs of the user are to be exercised, the user may grip the hand grips 78 with his hands, hold the levers 64 stationary and use a bicycling motion of his legs to drive the assembly 108.

Of course, inasmuch as the mount 54 is supported for oscillation relative to the upright 30, the elevation of the rear free ends of the levers 64 may be readily adjusted for use by the operator of the machine 10. Further, the rear ends of the levers 64 may be swung upwardly to an out of the way position whereby entrance to the seat assembly 18 and movement away from the latter by the user of the machine 10 will be facilitated. Additionally, the adjustability feature of the journal block 96 whereby the assembly 108 may be shifted in position relative to the seat assembly 18 enables the machine 10 to be more fully adjusted according to the size of the user.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. An exercising apparatus comprising a base including operators position defining means, an upright supported at its lower end from said base, a mount sup ported from an upper portion of said upright for oscillation relative thereto about a horizontal transverse axis, a pair of force levers pivotally supported intennediate their opposite ends from said mount and on opposite sides of said upright for oscillation about generally parallel axes disposed substantially normal to said axis, means connected between said levers yeildingly biasing one pair of corresponding ends thereof away from each other, said one pair of ends including hand grip means adapted to be gripped by the hands of the user of said apparatus, and a pedal crank assembly journaled for rotation about a second horizontal axis generally paralleling the first mentioned axis andincluding pedal cranks whose free ends are adapted to be engaged by the feet of said user, said pedal crank assembly being generally centered between parallel upstanding planes containing the axes of oscillation of said levers relative to said mount.

2. The combination of claim 1 including means operatively associated with said pedal crank assembly and operative to apply an adjustable friction drag on said pedal crank assembly retarding rotation of the latter.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said one end portions of said levers include extendable terminal end taining the axis of oscillation of said mount, said pedal crank assembly being journaled from said journal block.

6. The combination of claim '5 wherein said base includes an elevated seat spaced to the side of said upright from which said one pair of ends of said levers project, said journal block being disposed between said upright and said seat.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said one end portions of said levers include extendable terminal end portions.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein said means yieldingly biasing said one pair of ends of said levers away from each other comprises an expansion spring connected between the other pair of ends of said levers.

9. The combination of claim 1 wherein said base includes support wheel means for supporting said base for rolling over a horizontal surface.

10. The combination of claim I wherein said appara tus includes a speedometer head including a rotary input shaft, means drivingly connecting said pedal crank assembly to said rotary input shaft.

11. An exercising apparatus comprising a base including front and rear ends, said base including operators position defining means at said rear end, an upright supported at its lower end from the front end of said base, a mount supported from an upper portion of said upright for oscillation relative thereto about a horizontal transverse axis, a pair of levers pivotally supported from said mount for oscillation about generally parallel axes disposed substantially normal to said axis, means connected between said levers yieldingly biasing one pair of corresponding ends of said levers away from each other, said one pair of ends including hand grip means adapted to be gripped by the hands of the user of said apparatus, said levers each including a baseend portion and a free end portion lengthwise extendable and retractable relative to the corresponding base end portion, said base end portions being pivotally supported from said mount and said free end portions supporting said hand grip means.

t t t

Claims

1. An exercising apparatus comprising a base including operator''s position defining means, an upright supported at its lower end from said base, a mount supported from an upper portion of said upright for oscillation relative thereto about a horizontal transverse axis, a pair of force levers pivotally supported intermediate their opposite ends from said mount and on opposite sides of said upright for oscillation about generally parallel axes disposed substantially normal to said axis, mEans connected between said levers yeildingly biasing one pair of corresponding ends thereof away from each other, said one pair of ends including hand grip means adapted to be gripped by the hands of the user of said apparatus, and a pedal crank assembly journaled for rotation about a second horizontal axis generally paralleling the first mentioned axis and including pedal cranks whose free ends are adapted to be engaged by the feet of said user, said pedal crank assembly being generally centered between parallel upstanding planes containing the axes of oscillation of said levers relative to said mount.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said one end portions of said levers include extendable terminal end portions.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said means yieldingly biasing said one pair of ends of said levers away from each other comprises an expansion spring connected between the other pair of ends of said levers.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said base includes a journal block adjustably supported from said base for adjustment in both a vertical direction and in a horizontal direction generally normal to a plane containing the axis of oscillation of said mount, said pedal crank assembly being journaled from said journal block.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said base includes an elevated seat spaced to the side of said upright from which said one pair of ends of said levers project, said journal block being disposed between said upright and said seat.

10. The combination of claim 1 wherein said apparatus includes a speedometer head including a rotary input shaft, means drivingly connecting said pedal crank assembly to said rotary input shaft.

11. An exercising apparatus comprising a base including front and rear ends, said base including operator''s position defining means at said rear end, an upright supported at its lower end from the front end of said base, a mount supported from an upper portion of said upright for oscillation relative thereto about a horizontal transverse axis, a pair of levers pivotally supported from said mount for oscillation about generally parallel axes disposed substantially normal to said axis, means connected between said levers yieldingly biasing one pair of corresponding ends of said levers away from each other, said one pair of ends including hand grip means adapted to be gripped by the hands of the user of said apparatus, said levers each including a base end portion and a free end portion lengthwise extendable and retractable relative to the corresponding base end portion, said base end portions being pivotally supported from said mount and said free end portions supporting said hand grip means.