US3746339A

US3746339A - Spring resistant type exercising device

Info

Publication number: US3746339A
Application number: US00150649A
Authority: US
Inventors: J Cox
Original assignee: Compret NV
Current assignee: REEVES INTERNATIONAL Ltd A CORP OF
Priority date: 1970-06-11
Filing date: 1971-06-07
Publication date: 1973-07-17
Anticipated expiration: 1990-07-17
Also published as: CA939692A; CA940549A; IL36975A0; US3759514A; JPS5617104B1; MY7300399A; FR2097864A5; IL36976A0; FR2097863A5

Abstract

A physical exerciser having first and second elongated members so mounted as to permit the members to slide longitudinally relative to one another. First and second handles respectively are carried by the members on the ends thereof remote from one another. Resilient members are disposed between the members to resist movements of the handles towards one another. Pulling exercises are effected by pulling the rope lengths, positioned between the two handles, apart to cause the handles to move towards one another. Extension of the resilient members cause sliding movements of the members towards one another.

Description

United States Patent 11 1 Cox [ SPRING RESISTANT TYPE EXERCISING DEVICE [75] Inventor: John William Cox, London, England [73] Assignee: Compret N.V., Amsterdam,

Netherlands [22] Filed: June 7, 1971 21 Appl. No.: 150,649

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data June 11, 1970 Great Britain 28,426/70 Oct. 7, 1970 Great Britain 47,693/70 [52] U.S. Cl 272/82, 272/DIG. 5, 272/83 R [51] Int. Cl. A63b2l/02, A63b 21/00 [58] Field of Search 272/82, 83 R, 79 R,

272/DIG. 5, 79 C [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,633,908 l/l972 I Krauth.; 272/82 829.754 ",8/1906 Bailey 272/82 1451. July 17, 1973 2,132,862 10/1938 Pilates .1 272/83 R FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 968,180 8/1964. Great Britain 272/82 Primary Examiner-Anton O. Oechsle Assistant Examiner-William R. Browne Attorney-Karl W. F locks [57] ABSTRACT A physical exerciser having first and second elongated members so mounted as to permit the members to slide longitudinally relative to one another. First and second handles respectively are carried by the members on the ends thereof remote from one another. Resilient members are disposed between the members to resist movements of the handles towards one another. Pulling exercises are effected by pulling the rope lengths, positioned between the two handles, apart to cause the handles to move towards one another. Extension of the resilient members cause sliding movements of the members towards one another.

15 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PAIENTEBJUL 1 1:913 5 39 SHEU 1 UF 2 INVEN-TOR JOHN WILLIAM (0X KARL U Fzacn W ATTORNEY PAIENTED JUL 1 7 ma SHLEI 2 UF 2 SPRING RESISTANT TYPE EXERCISING DEVICE BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION This invention relates to a physical exerciser to be used for a large variety of physical exercises for training and strengthening the muscular system of the human body.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention there is provided a physical exerciser comprising first and second elongated members, mounting means to permit the members to slide longitudinally relative to one another, first and second handles respectively carried by the members on the ends thereof remotefrom one another and resilientmeans acting between the members so that the resilient means is extended upon sliding movement of the members when the handles are moved towards one another.

Preferably, the first elongated member is a first tubular member and the second elongated member is slidably mounted therein to provide a telescopic unit.

Preferably, the second elongated member extends freely within the first tubular member and a second tubular member is a sliding fit over the first tubular membet and is secured to the secondhandle.

Advantageously,the resilient means is connected between the inner ends of the first and second elongated members.

In one preferred embodimentthe second elongated member carries a'pulley towards its inner end and the firsttubular member is provided with a bush towards its inner end, the bush being apertured to receive the second elongated member as a sliding fit, the resilient means comprising a resilient cord which passes around the pulley and is secured at its ends to the bush.

In another preferred embodiment the firsttubular member carries at its inner end a bush apertured to receive the second elongated member and the latter carries at its inner end a flange received as asliding fit in the first tubular member, the resilient means being connected between the collar and the flange.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows, partially in section, a first physical exerciser having telescopically arranged tubes;

FIG. 2 shows an elevation of one of the handles of FIG.'1;

FIG. 3 shows schematically and partially in section, a second physical exerciser; and

FIGS. 4 and 5 show modifications to the physical exerciser of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS In the drawings like reference numerals indicate the same orsimilar parts.

Referring to FIG. 1, the physical exerciser includes inner tube 1 and outer tube 2 arranged as a telescopicallyslidable unit, the free ends of said tubes 1, 2 each being adapted frictionally to receive the spigot3 of its handle4. Thetubes 1,2 house resilient meanswhich resist axial compression of the telescopiallyslidable unit so that the physical exerciser may be employed for compression exercises. The spacing between the tubes l, 2 is exaggerated for simplification of the drawing, there being a sliding fit therebetween.

The resilient means comprises a so-called shockcord 5, which comprises a multiplicity of synthetic rubber yarns encased by a woven Terylene sheath, anchored at its ends 6 in diametrically opposed holes in a bush 7 secured tothe inner ends of the tube 1. The bush 7 is molded from plastics material and secured frictionally in the tube 1. It ispossible however for the bush 7 to be maintained in position solely by the tension in the cord 5.

The spigot 3 of handle 4 carried by the tube 2 mounts a rod 8 bifurcated atits inner end to receive a pulley 9 around which the shock-cord 5 is passed. A guide member 10 is attached to one of the bifurcated portions of the rods to inhibit disengagement of the cord 5 from thepulley 9. As shown the rod 8 is frictionally received in a socket 11 in said spigot 3.

It will be appreciated that the shock-cord 5 will resist axial compression of the tubes 1, 2 when the tubes are axially compressed by the user thereof.

The physical exerciser is adapted to provide expansion exercises by joining the handles 4 with an endless rope 12 comprising a plastics-coated steel cable. The rope enters the handle 4 through an aperture 13 and leaves the handleby a diametrically-opposed aperture 14. By pulling on the two standing parts of the rope transversely of the exerciser the telescopic unit is also compressed againstthe tension in the shock-cord 5.

Each of thehollow handles 4 is moulded from plas' tics material and includes finger grips constituted by depressions 15 therein and splines 16 forming a tight friction fit inthe free endof its respective tube 1, 2.

It will be appreciated that the telescopic unit essentially includes a first elongated member, the tube 1 and a elongated member, the rod 8. The tube 2 is not essential to the construction since the rod 8 is guided by the bush 7. It is however, advantageous in terms of the strength and the appearance of the exerciser to provide the tube 2.

It will be readily appreciated that the rope 12 may comprise two separate lengths between the handles'4. In either case, the lengths of rope 12 are, preferably, selected to ensure that when the exerciser is in its relaxed position the cord 5 remains under tension.

Referring toFIGf3 of thedrawing, there is shown a physical exerciser generally similar to that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprising a tube 1 carrying at its outer cated by chain lines 116 extends between and is se cured to the bush 7 and the flange 17. A rope 12 having two lengths extends'between the two handles 4. Once again the rope may be endless passing through the handles at apertures l3, 14 or it may be in two separate lengths secured tothehand grips. A further tube 2 may be secured to the (left hand)handle 4 (FIG. 3) to embrace the tube 1. The handles 4 of the physical exerciser shown in FIG. 3 are also provided with spigots 3 which are not shownin this simplified drawing.

In the physical exerciser shown in FIG. 1 the resilient member 5 comprises a number of strands of elasticated cord. In the modified physical exerciser described with reference to FIG. 3 the extensible resilient member 116 may be a single coil spring embracing the rod 8 and secured at its ends to the bush 7 and the flange 17. Alternatively, the member 116 could be a multiplicity of coil springs surrounding the member 8 and also secured to the bush 7 and the flange 17. Whatever the nature of the member 116, it is preferably so arranged in relation to the lengths of rope 12 that the member 116 remains in slight tension when these lengths are taut in the relaxed attitude of the physical exerciser.

FIG. 4 shows a modification of the physical exerciser of FIG. 3 in which chain lines 18 indicate compressible resilient means extending between the flange l7 and the closed end of the tube 1 adjacent the handle 4. The

resilient means 18 could be a single coil compression spring. Alternatively the compressible resilient means may comprise one or more concertina springs of resilient strip material. Yet still alternatively the space between the flange 17 and the closed end of the tube 1 could be wholly or partially filled with compressible material. Such compressible material could comprise a number of balls of rubber,.sponge rubber, or plastics material either solid or hollow.

FIG. 'shows a further modification of the physical exerciser of FIG. 3 in which a coil compression spring 19 is shown embracing the member 8 to act between the bush 7 and the closed end of the tube 2 adjacent the handle 4. Again it will be understood that the spring 19 could be replaced by one or more concertina springs as described above or a multiplicity of balls or blocks of compressible material of annular formation. In addition, FIG. 5 shows the resilient means 18 in the form of a coil spring embracing a rod 20 extending coaxially through the tube 1 from its handle 4 and having its forward end slidable within the member 8 which in such case is of tubular form. I

When the coil compression springs are employed it is advantageous to encase them in sleeves of plastics material. g y

In all the above arrangements it will be understood that the apparatus may be provided with a sliding scale performance meter by calibrating the exerciser by marking graduations onthe outer surface of the tube 1.

I claim;

l. A physical exerciser comprising a hollow tubular member open at one end, a first handle attached to the end of said hollow tubular member remote from said one end, an elongated member having a part extending into said tubular member through said open end and displaceable lengthwise within said tubular member, a second handle attached to the end of said elongated member remote from said part thereof, 'guide members guiding and supporting said elongated member for said lengthwise displacement, a resiliently extensible means being disposed within said hollow tubular member and connectcd to and extending between the open end of said hollow tubular member and said part of said elongated member extending into said tubular member and operable for resiliently opposing inward displacement of said elongated member into said tubular member, and limiting connected to and extending between said tubular member and said elongated member for limiting outward displacement of said elongated member with respect to said tubular member.

2. A physical exerciser as defined in claim 1, wherein the limiting means comprises a rope having two portions, each extending between the first and second handles.

3. A physical exerciser as defined in claim 1 wherein the elongated member extends freely within the tubular member and a second tubular member is a sliding fit over the first tubular member and is secured to the second handle.

4. A physical exerciser as defined in claim 1 wherein the guide members comprise a bush located at the end of the hollow tubular member remote from its handle, the bush being apertured to receive the elongated member, a pulley mounted on the end of the elongated member and wherein the resiliently extensible means comprises a resilient cord which passes around the pulley and which is secured at its ends to the bush.

5. A physical exerciser as defined in claim 4 wherein the resilient cord comprises a multiplicity of synthetic rubber yarns encased by a sheath.

6. A physical exerciser as defined in claim 4 comprising a guide member attached to the elongated member to inhibit disengagement of the resilient cord from the pulley.

7. A physical exerciser as defined in claim 1 wherein the guide members comprise a bush located at the end of the hollow tubular member remote from the first handle, a flange located at the end of the elongated member remote from the second handle, the bush being apertured to receive the elongated member and the flange being received as a sliding fit in the hollow tubular member, and wherein the resiliently extensible member is connected to and extending between the bush and the flange.

8. A physical exerciser as defined in claim 7 wherein the resilient member comprises a single coil spring embracing the elongated member.

9. A physical exerciser as defined in claim 7 wherein the resilient member comprises a multiplicity of coil springs which are disposed around a second elongated member.

10. A physical exerciser as defined in claim 7 further comprising an additional resilient member arranged between the flange and the first handle.

11. A physical exerciser as defined in claim 10 further comprising a further additional resilient member arranged between the bush and the second handle.

12. A physical exerciser as defined in claim 11 wherein each of the additional resilient members each comprises at least one coil spring;

13. A physical exerciser as defined in claim 7 further comprising a rod carried by the first handle said rod being received in an. aperture in the flange to protrude into the elongated member which is tubular.

14. A physical exerciser as defined in claim 7 wherein the displacement limiting member comprises a rope having two portions each of said portions extending between the first and second handles.

15. A physical exerciser as defined in claim 1 wherein the limiting .member comprises a rope which is endless and passes through the handles.

. i I t i 3 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENTNO. 3,746,339

DATED 3 July 17, 1973 INVENTOR(S) I John W. COX

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In claim 1, line 17, after "limiting",

W G F O 0 insert means Signed and Scaled this Thirteenth Day Of February 1979 [SEAL] Attest:

DONALD W. BANNER RUTH C. MASON Q Arresting Ojficer Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks

Claims

1. A physical exerciser comprising a hollow tubular member open at one end, a first handle attached to the end of said hollow tubular member remote from said one end, an elongated member having a part extending into said tubular member through said open end and displaceable lengthwise within said tubular member, a second handle attached to the end of said elongated member remote from said part thereof, guide members guiding and supporting said elongated member for said lengthwise displacement, a resiliently extensible means being disposed within said hollow tubular member and connected to and extending between the open end of said hollow tubular member and said part of said elongated member extending into said tubular member and operable for resiliently opposing inward displacement of said elongated member into said tubular member, and limiting connected to and extending between said tubular member and said elongated member for limiting outward displacement of said elongated member with respect to said tubular member.

12. A physical exerciser as defined in claim 11 wherein each of the additional resilient members each comprises at least one coil spring.

13. A physical exerciser as defined in claim 7 further comprising a rod carried by the first handle said rod being received in an aperture in the flange to protrude into the elongated member which is tubular.

15. A physical exerciser as defined in claim 14 wherein the limiting member comprises a rope which is endless and passes through the handles.