AU670396B2

AU670396B2 - Exercise device

Info

Publication number: AU670396B2
Application number: AU75941/94A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Ted Kluska
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-08-16
Filing date: 1994-10-20
Publication date: 1996-07-11
Anticipated expiration: 2014-10-20
Also published as: AU7594194A

Description

EXERCISE DEVICE Field of the Invention The following invention relates to an exercise device. More particularly, though not exclusively, the invention relates to a device for treatment of lower back problems.

Disclosure of the Invention There is disclosed herein an exercise apparatus comprising: a support member; an arm comprising a proximal end connected to the support member such that, in use, the arm can rotate in a substantially vertical plane about a first axis of rotation, the arm further comprising a distal end having a handle connected thereto so as to rotate about a second axis of rotation and by which a user can rotate the arm, the proximal end of the arm further comprising means by which the distance between the first and second axes of rotation can be adjusted.

Preferably, the arm is pivotally connected to the support member by an intermediate member.

Preferably, the means of adjusting the distance between the first and second axes of rotation comprises a slot in the arm through which bolts pass to connect the arm to said intermediate member.

Preferably, the support member comprises a post secured to a base upon which S: 20 the user can stand.

Preferably, the distance between the first axis of rotation and the base can be adjusted by means of a slot in the support member through which bolts secured to the intermediate member pass.

Alternatively, the support member can be bolted or otherwise secured to a fixed 25 structure such as a wall or door frame.

Preferably, the handle comprises a handle bar rotatably supported upon a boss affixed to the arm at said second axis of rotation.

Preferably, the handle bar comprises a pair of hand grips at respective opposed ends thereof.

Preferably, the handle bar is adapted not only to rotate, but also to pivot in any plane passing through said second axis of rotation. Typically, such adaptation is brought about by a loose connection of the handle bar to the boss.

Brief Description of the Drawings Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: RFig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an exercise apparatus having a user shown thereon in phantom; [N:\LIB111]00379:JCC Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view of another exercise apparatus affixed to a door frame; Fig. 3 is a schematic plan view of the apparatus of Fig. 1; and Fig. 4 is an. elevational view of an intermediate member forming part of the apparatus of Fig. 1 or Fig. 2.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments In Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings there is schematically depicted an exercise apparatus 10. The apparatus 10, typically fabricated from mild steel, comprises a post 11 welded or otherwise attached to a base 12 upon which a user (shown in phantom) can stand. The post 11 is typically fabricated from hollow square section. The upper end of the post 11 comprises a slot 13 in both opposed faces. The slot 13 serves as a means by which an intermediate member 14 (better shown in Fig. 4) can be bolted to the post 11. The height of the intermediate member above the base 12 can be adjusted by sliding these bolts along the slots 13.

The intermediate member serves to rotatably secure an arm 15 to the post 11.

Arm 15 at its proximal end comprises a slot 16 affixed to the intermediate member in a manner similar to that by which the intermediate member is secured to the post 11.

:oooI The arm 15 is adapted to rotate in a substantially vertical plane with the axis of rotation A passing through the centre line of the intermediate member 14. The radius of arm S 20 can be adjusted by loosening the bolts which pass through slots 16 and sliding the arm 15 therealong.

At the distal end of the arm 15, there is secured a boss 17. Boss 17 supports a handle 18 which can rotate freely about a second axis B passing through the centre line of the boss 17.

25 As shown in Fig. 3, the handle 18 can also pivot out of its main plane of rotation by angle c which is typically about 200. That is, the handle 18 can pivot in any plane which passes through the second axis D throughout a fixed angle. This is brought about the fact that h ,dle 18 is loosely connected to the end of boss 17 as shown. The handle 18 com" es a handle bar having a pair of laterally opposed hand grips thereon.

S 30 In use, the difference between axes A and B can be adjusted to set the radius of rotation of boss 17. Similarly, the height of axis A above the base 12 (or floor as shown in Fig. 2) can be adjusted.

Once appropriately set up for a particular user, an exercise, particularly useful for therapy of the lower back, can be performed. The handle 18 can be grasped by the user who can effect turning of the arm 15 both clockwise and anti-clockwise, typically or 100 times each way. The movement of the handle 18 as indicated by angle a compensates for the fixed length of the user's arms as the arm 15 rotates. Whilst cc [N:\LIBII]00379:ICC might typically be zero at the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock positions of arm 15, angle a might be maximum at the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions.

Whilst the apparatus disclosed herein is not intended as a muscle builder, it is believed to be therapeutic especially in the lower back of the user.

The apparatus depicted in Fig. 2 is essentially identical to that of Fig. 1. Instead of providing a post 11 upon a base 12, the support member can comprise a bent piece of flat bar 20 having slot 13 provided therein. Part 20 can be bolted to a door frame as shown for example.

As shown in Fig. 4, the preferred means of pivotally connecting the arm 15 and the post 11 (or bar 20 in Fig. 2) is shown. The intermediate member 14 comprises a pair of plates 24 and 25. Plate 24 is adapted to be secured to the post 11 or member whereas the plate 25 is adapted to be secured to the arm 15. Member 14 comprises an external pipe section 21 welded or otherwise secured to the plate 25. Welded or otherwise secured to the plate 24 is an internal shaft 22 having a flange 23 at its distal end. Flange 23 fits within a widening portion of external pipe 21. By this arrangement, plate 25 can rotate relative to plate 24. Plates 24 and 25 are provided with bolt holes 26 as mentioned earlier. Bolts can pass through apertures 26 to further plates 27 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

It should be appreciated that modifications and alterations obvious to those skilled in the art are not to be considered as beyond the scope of the present invention. For example, rather than the provision of slots 13 and 16 as depicted, the height of axis A and the distance between axes A and B could be adjusted by means of a hollow square section surrounding the upper end of post 11 being connected by a bushing 14 to a similar hollow square section surrounding the proximal end of the arm 15. These 25 square sections could be provided with internally threaded apertures through which bolts pass which can be tightened down upon the outside surface of the post 11 and arm moe [N:\LIBII]00379:JCC

Claims

1. An exercise apparatus comprising: a support member; an arm comprising a proximal end connected to the support member such that, in use, the arm can rotate in a substantially vertical plane about a first axis of rotation, the arm further comprising a distal end having a handle connected thereto so as to rotate about a second axis of rotation and by which a user can rotate the arm, the proximal end of the arm further comprising means by which the distance between the first and second axes of rotation can be adjusted.

2. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein the arm is pivotally connected to the support member by an intermediate member.

3. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the means of adjusting the distance between the first and second axes of rotation comprises a slot in the arm through which bolts pass to connect the arm to said intermediate member.

4. The exercise apparatus of any one of the preceding claims wherein the support member comprises a post secured to a base upon which the user can stand.

The exercise apparatus of claim 4 wherein the distance between the first axis of rotation and the base can be adjusted by means of a slot in the support member through which bolts secured to the intermediate member pass.

6. The exercise apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the support member is bolted or otherwise secured to a fixed structure such as a wall or door frame.

7. The exercise apparatus of any one of the preceding claims wherein the handle comprises a handle bar rotatably supported upon a boss affixed to the arm at 25 said second axis of rotation.

8. The exercise apparatus of claim 7 wherein the handle bar comprises a pair of hand grips at respective opposed ends thereof.

9. The exercise apparatus of claim 7 or claim 8 wherein the handle bar is S: adapted not only to rotate, but also to pivot in any plane passing through said second S 30 axis of rotation, such adaptation being brought about by a loose connection of the handle bar to the boss. An exercise apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated 20 May, 1996 Ted Kluska Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON FERGUSON [N:\LIBII]00379:JCC EXERCISE DEVICE ABSTRACT Disclosed is an exercise device designed for therapy of the lower back. The device (10) comprises a post (11) either secured to a base (12) or adapted to be affixed to a wall, door architrave or other fixture. Pivotally secured to the post (11) is an arm at the distal end of which there is provided a handle (18) having a pair of hand grips. By grasping the hand grips, a user can rotate the arm (15) throughout 3600 in either direction. The radius of the arm (15) can be adjusted by means of a slot (16) therein. Furthermore, the vertical height of the centre line of the pivot axis can be adjusted by means of a slot (13) in the post (11). S o*~ o [N:\LIBII]00379:JCC