US3858874A

US3858874A - Push-pull type of exercising device

Info

Publication number: US3858874A
Application number: US334902A
Authority: US
Inventors: Benjamin Weider
Original assignee: INTERNAX HOLDINGS Ltd
Current assignee: INTERNAX HOLDINGS Ltd
Priority date: 1973-02-22
Filing date: 1973-02-22
Publication date: 1975-01-07
Anticipated expiration: 1992-01-07
Also published as: JPS5025329A; IT1017539B; DE2404970A1; AU6831774A; GB1425444A; BR7401288D0

Abstract

A body exerciser comprising a pair of flexible lines, each has at one end a loop to be grasped by a hand of a user and a stirrup at the other end for holding the line tensioned by a person''s foot. Each stirrup includes two loops, one engaging the bottom of a foot of a user and the other engaging the ankle of a user. Each line passes over a pulley which is secured by hooks to a member which in turn is connected to a fixed support. In use of the exerciser, an arm is moved simultaneously with the leg, the hand and foot being attached by the line so that the tension in the line is between the hand and foot so that the exertion of one member is balanced against the other.

Description

United States Patent 91 Weider [54] PUSH-PULL TYPE or EXERCISING DEVICE [75] Inventor: Benjamin Weider, Quebec, Canada [73] Assignee: lnternax Holdings Limited, Nassau,

[4 Jan. 7, 1975 Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-William R. Browne Attorney, Agent, or FirmHerzig & Walsh [5 7] ABSTRACT A body exerciser comprising a. pair of flexible lines, each has at one end a loop to be grasped by a hand of a user and a stirrup at the other end for holding the line tensioned by a persons foot. Each stirrup includes two loops, one engaging the bottom of a foot of a user and the other engaging the ankle of a user. Each line passes over a pulley which is secured by hooks to a member which in turn is connected to a fixed support. In use of the exerciser, an arm is moved simultaneously with the leg, the hand and foot being attached by the line so that the tension in the line is between the hand and foot so that the exertion of one member is balanced against the other.

3 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is a simplified body exerciser of a unique construction and configuration which makes it possible for a person to do a large number of particular exercises without tiring; whereas otherwise, the average person would be able to do only a small fraction of this number.

In the preferred form of the invention as described herein, it takes the form of flexible lines or cords, each of which passes over a pulley secured to a fixed support. At one end of each of the lines is a hand grip; and at the other end, there is a foot grip or stirrup constructed so that the foot can hold that end of the line. Each of the lines is grasped at one end with a hand and is held with the foot in a stirrup at the other end. This configuration enables the person using the exerciser to do a number of particular exercises without tiring with the tension in the line being between the hand at one end and the foot at the other end of the same side of the body.

In use, a person lies on the floor, grasping the hand grips at the ends of lines, with the other ends of the lines being held by the feet sitrrups. This makes it possible to pull the arms forward while the legs are raised at the same time. As stated, the tension in the lines is between the hand and foot at opposite ends'of the line. This construction of the exerciser makes it possible to realize a number of purposes and to achieve particular objects without tiring, among them being the following.

A person using the exerciser may do about 500 leg raises and other leg raise motions or exercises at one time without pause; whereas without the exerciser, an average person can only do about leg raises without tiring. By bringing the arms forward and the legs up, the user exercises the total upper body including his lower body and mid section all at one time. Further, because of the many repetitions done in continuous rythmic fashion, the heart and lungs are stimulated, helping to strengthen the heart, lungs, and total respiratory system. Additionally, the internal organs are massaged and stimulated. The abdominal muscles are strengthened, helping to prevent rupture and collapses of the abdomen and also to help indigestion and the elimination of gas. Because the exerciser lies on the floor there is less strain on the heart than there is from jogging or other standing motions. Because of the simple movement of the arms and legs, no strains or tears of ligaments can occur. By exercising the total body at one time and bringing into play at the same time the total respiratory system, the exercises possible with the device will become one of the most natural and healthful forms possible. The achievement and realization of all these results constitutes objects of the invention.

Further objects of the invention reside in realizing an exerciser which is simple, light in weight, economical, and which is capable of being used anywhere. Thus the objective is realized of exercise sessions not being missed when traveling, when the person is short on time, and by reason of the availability of the device of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further objects and additional advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and annexed drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view ofa preferred form of the invention;

FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 are illustrative views showing basic, preferred exercising movements undertaken in the utilization of the device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In FIG. 1, the invention comprises a triangular, flat plate 10 which may be made of

plastic having holes

12, 14, and 16 at its apices or corners. Numeral 20 designates a length of line or cord which may preferably be nylon. Numeral 22 designates a cylindrical plastic plug having three axial bores in it. Cord 20 is passed through hole 12 in plate 10 and through one of the axial bores in plug 22. A loop 26 is formed with the end of the line being brought back through another of the axial bores in plug 22 to form loop 28 with the end of the line then inserted through the third axial bore with a knot 30 formed in the end of it. Loop 26 may be looped over a door knob 32, as shown, as an exemplary way of attaching or securing plate 10.

Numerals 40 and 42 designate typical pulleys mounted in yokes having attaching

hooks

44 and 46 which are hooked through

holes

14 and 16 in plate 10.

Numeral 50 designates a length of nylon cord which passes over pulley 40 and having at one end a loop 52 preferably encased in plastic tubing 54 to form a hand grip. At the other end of line 50 there are formed two

loops

56 and 58, the end of line 50 forms the loop 56. Its end is secured to an intermediate part of the line by way of a band or holding member 60. Loop 58 is formed by a length of the cord having its ends suitably secured to line 50 by fasteners or

bands

62 and 64.

Loops

56 and 58 form a stirrup adapted to being held by a persons foot, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 through 6.

The other line 50' islike line 50, and it passes over pulley 42. It has a similar hand grip 52' at one end and stirrup formed by loops 56 and 58' at the other end.

FIGS. 2 through 6 illustrate basic uses or preferred exercising movements to be made using the exercising device. These particular basic movements are calculated to bring about achievement and realization of the objects as set forth in the foregoing.

Preferably, the user lies on the floor as illustrated in FIG. 2, grasping the hand grips in his hands and having the stirrups at the other end of the line engaging his feet as shown.

FIG. 3 illustrates basic movements in which the persons arms are moved forwardly while lying on his back and the legs are raised. As may be seen, the tension in the lines is between the left hand and left foot and between the right hand and right foot. This enables the person to do many leg raises as described in the foregoing without tiring, thus making possible results not otherwise attainable. Of course, this movement as illustrated is subject to variations by way of the person bending the elbows in various degrees, that is, at various angles. Similarly, the knees may be bent in various degrees. Bending of the knees while raising the two legs together is illustrated in FIG. 5.

FIG. 4 illustrates another basic fonn of exercise, wherein the respective arm and leg on each side of the body is actuated independently. The left arm has been swung forward while the leg raise is undertaken with the left leg while the other leg is outstretched and on the floor as shown. Again, many variations can be made in the basic exercise.

As mentioned in the foregoing, FIG. illustrates a variation of the basic exercise wherein the leg raises are executed with both legs at the same time but the knees are simultaneously bent as shown.

FIG. 6 illustrates a variation analogous to that of FIG. 4 wherein the movements are executed separately by the left arm and leg and right arm and leg with the knees being bent again as illustrated in FIG. 5. Variations can also be made in this set of basic exercises as well.

Certain inherent characteristics of the invention will be apparent from the foregoing description and the illustration of utilization of the invention. It is to be noted that

loops

56 and 58 are attached to line 50 near its end. To utilize the loops, the foot need only be inserted into them as illustrated in the figures. It is to be noted as shown in the figures that when the leg is extended, loop 56 or 56 which is underneath the foot opposite the instep, it is in a position to hold and apply tension to the line. This is true also when the foot is in the position as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 with the knee bent. On the other hand, when the leg is in an upright position as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, then the loop which is around the ankle is primarily in a position to hold the line and tension it. Both loops are secured directly to the line so their purposes as described can be accomplished. It is to be observed that throughout the movements of the arms and legs, the lines are held at one end by the foot by way of double loops so that tension can be maintained in the lines. Of course, the user can increase the tension in the lines and thus augment the strenuousness of the exercise by applying a force or resistance to the ends of the lines with the arms and/or legs.

From the foregoing description, those skilled in the art will readily understand and appreciate the nature of the exerciser, its utilization, and the specific manner in which it achieves and realizes all of the objectives as set forth in the foregoing.

The foregoing disclosure is representative of a preferred form of the invention, and it is to be interpreted in an illustrative rather than a limiting sense, the invention to be accorded the full scope of the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

1. An exercising device comprising: first flexible line means having a single loop at one end adapted for engagement by a persons hand two loops at the other end adapted for engagement by a persons instep and ankle, and second flexible line means having a single loop at one end adapted for engagement by the persons other hand and two loops at the other end adapted for engagement by the persons other instep and ankle; and pulley means providing a support for both said line means passing thereover whereby the line means may be tensioned by way of movements of the persons respective hands and feet when engaging their associated loops, said pulley means being adapted for attachment to a fixed support, the two loops for each foot being oriented so that the instep loop tensions its line means when a users legs are extended horizontally and the ankle loop tensions the line means when the user's legs are vertical.

2. A device as in claim 1, including a member, wherein said pulley means includes pulleys attached to said member, and means for securing said member to a fixed support.

3. A device as in claim 2, wherein said member is in the form ofa plate having holes therein, said pulleys including hooks hooked into said holes, and said securing means includes a line attached to said plate at another hole in said plate.

Claims

1. An exercising device comprising: first flexible line means having a single loop at one end adapted for engagement by a person''s hand two loops at the other end adapted for engagement by a person''s instep and ankle, and second flexible line means having a single loop at one end adapted for engagement by the person''s other hand and two loops at the other end adapted for engagement by the person''s other instep and ankle; and pulley means providing a support for both said line means passing thereover whereby the line means may be tensioned by way of movements of the person''s respective hands and feet when engaging their associated loops, said pulley means being adapted for attachment to a fixed support, the two loops for each foot being oriented so that the instep loop tensions its line means when a user''s legs are extended horizontally and the ankle loop tensions the line means when the user''s legs are vertical.

3. A device as in claim 2, wherein said member is in the form of a plate having holes therein, said pulleys including hooks hooked into said holes, and said securing means includes a line attached to said plate at another hole in said plate.