EP0396572A1

EP0396572A1 - Compact multi-purpose exercise apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP0396572A1
Application number: EP88910248A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Lawrence A. Bernstein
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-10-15
Filing date: 1988-10-11
Publication date: 1990-11-14
Also published as: AU2722088A; WO1989003237A1; EP0396572A4; JPH01101982A

Abstract

Dispositif d'exercice multi-usage compact comprenant deux bras de longueur réglable (22 et 24) que l'on fait pivoter ensemble à une extrémité et dotés de poignées d'angle (26 et 28) ou d'actuateurs réglables, à leurs extrémités opposées. On a prévu un membre à résistance hydraulique (34) au point de pivot des deux bras dont on peut régler la force sensiblement constante et qui est sensiblement indépendant de la vitesse à laquelle les poignées sont actionnées l'une par rapport à l'autre. La force est fournie par une auge Pelton inversée (98), comprenant un membre à ressort dans la trajectoire de l'écoulement du fluide hydraulique que l'on fait se déplacer afin de réduire la résistance de l'écoulement hydraulique avec la vitesse accrue de l'écoulement de fluide hydraulique. Le fluide hydraulique est dirigé vers l'ensemble à auge Pelton inversée (98) par une vanne (46) rotative dans une chambre (95) remplie de fluide hydraulique, à mesure que l'on fait tourner les bras (22 et 24) l'un par rapport à l'autre. Les deux bras du dispositif d'exercice se composent de quatre sections télescopiques (22-1 à 22-4) à détentes (112), actionnées par le pouce et montées à ressort, fonctionnant dans des ouvertures dans les sections de bras télescopiques internes, destinées à les maintenir à n'importe quelle extension voulue comprise entre environ 0,30 et 1m de longueur. Au lieu de poignées simples situées aux extrémités libres de chacun des bras, on peut monter des doubles poignées (134 et 136) ou des étriers pour un fonctionnement facile avec les pieds ou les chevilles d'une personne, on peut encore utiliser des roues à galets (132) afin de faciliter les exercices de type consistant à ramer.Compact multi-use exercise device comprising two arms of adjustable length (22 and 24) which are pivoted together at one end and provided with angle handles (26 and 28) or adjustable actuators, at their ends opposite. A hydraulic resistance member (34) is provided at the pivot point of the two arms, the force of which can be adjusted to be substantially constant and which is substantially independent of the speed at which the handles are actuated relative to one another. The force is supplied by an inverted Pelton trough (98), comprising a spring member in the path of the flow of the hydraulic fluid which is made to move in order to reduce the resistance of the hydraulic flow with the increased speed of hydraulic fluid flow. The hydraulic fluid is directed to the inverted Pelton trough assembly (98) by a rotary valve (46) in a chamber (95) filled with hydraulic fluid, as the arms (22 and 24) are rotated. one over the other. The two arms of the exercise device consist of four telescopic sections (22-1 to 22-4) with detents (112), actuated by the thumb and mounted with spring, operating in openings in the internal telescopic arm sections, intended to keep them at any desired extension between about 0.30 and 1m in length. Instead of single handles located at the free ends of each of the arms, double handles (134 and 136) or stirrups can be fitted for easy operation with a person's feet or ankles, wheels can also be used. rollers (132) to facilitate rowing type exercises.

Description

COMPACT MULTI-PURPOSE EXERCISE APPARATUS

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to exercise apparatus.

Background of the Invention

Many types of multi-purpose exercise devices have been proposed, and Nautilus and other large bulky and expensive machines are enjoying widespread popularity. However, many persons cannot afford the time or money to visit a health club where the large exercise apparatus is normally found, nor do they wish to set aside a large portion of their living quarters to accommodate such a large and costly apparatus. Accordingly, there is a significant need for a small or compact and versatile exercising apparatus.

With regard to prior patents in the exercise field, attention is directed to N. Wright U.S. Patent No. 4,226,415, granted October 7, 1980; to C. H. Stoecker U.S. Patent No. 4,171,802, granted October 23, 1979; and to R. Ruggles U.S. Patent No. 4,374,588, granted February 22, 1983. Of these patents, the Wright patent, No. 4,226,415 is typical of the large size, expensive exercise apparatus of the type mentioned hereinabove. On the other hand, the Stoecker and Ruggles patents are relatively smaller . units but suffer from the disadvan¬ tages that they are single purpose units, and are not adapted to many different types of exercising as required for a complete and balanced exercise program. In addition, all three patents are believed to include resistance arrangements which vary significantly in their resistance with the speed of actuation. This is a significant disadvantage, as it is desirable that a substantially constant resistance force be present despite variations in the speed at which the exercise device is operated. Accordingly, principal objects of the present invention include first, providing an exercise device which is both compact and versatile, permitting many different types of exercise to be performed; and, secondly, providing a device which has a substantially constant resistance force, despite variations in the speed of actuation of the two arms relative to one another.

Summary of the Invention

In accordance with one specific preferred embodi¬ ment of the invention, a compact, multi-purpose exercise device includes two telescoping arms which are pivoted together at one of their ends, and which are provided with handles at their other ends. Each of the arms is made up of telescoping sections, and detents are provided for locking the telescoping sections together to provide lengths of the arms varying from about one foot to about three feet. A hydraulic resistance unit is coupled to the ends of the arms which are pivoted together, and this hydraulic resistance unit provides substantially constant resistance to relative movement of the two arms despite changes in the speed of movement of the two arms relative to one another; and this is accomplished by a reverse Pelton bucket arrangement wherein the hydraulic fluid flow path of the hydraulic resistance unit is partially obstructed by a spring- biased element which moves backward against the spring pressure to reduce the hydraulic resistance, when higher velocity hydraulic fluid impinges upon the element.

In accordance with one broad aspect of the inven¬ tion, a compact multi-purpose exercise apparatus includes telescoping arms which are pivoted together at one end, and which are provided with handles at the other end, and have a resistance unit coupled to the pivoted ends of the two arms. In accordance with another broad aspect of the invention, an exercising apparatus includes two arms which are pivoted together and which has handles at the free ends of the arms, and is provided with a hydraulic resistance member having substantially constant resis¬ tance force with varying speeds of actuation of the two arms relative to one another. This hydraulic resistance unit may be implemented by a reverse Pelton bucket which includes a spring-biased member in the hydraulic fluid path, with the spring-biased member being movable to reduce the resistance, with increased force of hydraulic fluid flow impinging on the spring-biased element. The result is that with higher velocities, the movement of the Pelton bucket element serves to reduce the resis- tance and compensates for the normal increase in resistance as fluid is moved more rapidly through restricted passages.

Other features of the invention may include one or more of the following: !• Th reverse Pelton bucket element may include a sharply pointed member and in-curved bucket-shaped portions on either side thereof to receive and to respond to the jet of hydraulic fluid, to shift the Pelton bucket element. 2. The handles of the exercise device may be fully adjustable in their position from perpendicularity with the arms and substantial alignment with the pivot point of the units, to an orientation where they are substantially aligned with the arms. 3. Instead of single handles at the end of each of the arms, double handles or stirrups may be provided to facilitate actuation by the feet or the ankles.

4. As another alternative, rollers may be substi¬ tuted for the handles on one of the two arms, so that rowing or similar exercises may be more readily imple¬ mented. 5. The locking arrangements for holding the telescoping sections of the arms in fixed positions relative to one another may include thumb-operated detents associated with each of the outer telescoping sections, and openings in the inner sections, with closely spaced openings in at least one of the sections to permit substantially continuous adjustment of the lengths of the arms.

6. In accordance with- another feature of the invention, the ^■ two arms may be mounted in immediate proximity to one another and may have the hydraulic resistance unit mounted outside in one direction, and a display unit mounted on the other side of the pivot point of the two arms. In addition, a quick release mechanism may be provided for permitting prompt separa¬ tion of the components of the system for easy storage.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description and from the accom- panying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is an overall front view of a compact multi-purpose exercising device illustrating the principles of the present invention, with the two arms in the fully extended position;

Figure 2 is a side view of the exercise device of Fig. 1;

Figure 3 is a side view of the exercise device of Figs. 1 and 2, with the extendable arms in their fully telescoped or retracted position;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view through the hydraulic resistance unit which is mounted along the pivot axis of the two arms of the exercise apparatus shown in Figs. 1 through 3; Figure 5 is another cross-sectional view of the hydraulic resistance element, with the view of Fig. 5 being taken parallel to the pivot axis of the apparatus; Figure ^"6 is an enlarged view of the reverse Pelton bucket arrangement whereby substantially constant resistance force is provided despite variations in the speed of actuation of the arms of the exercise device;

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along Section 7-7 of Fig. 3, generally parallel to the pivot axis of the apparatus;

Figure 8 is an external view similar in orientation to the cross-sectional view of Fig. 7;

Figure 9 is an external view taken from the left of Fig. 8, and showing the force-adjusting mechanism to control the resistance encountered as the arms are being moved;

Figure 10 is a view through one of the arms of the exercise device of Figs. 1 through 3, showing the detents which hold the telescoping sections of the arms in fixed positions relative to one another;

Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the detents, taken along lines 11-11 of Fig. 10;

Figure 12 is a detail showing of one of the detents separate from the remainder ' of the exercise apparatus assembly?

Figure 13 shows a typical exercise using the exercise apparatus with the arms substantially fully telescoped or collapsed, and the handles oriented perpendicular to the two arms; Figure 14 shows a rowing exercise in which the arms of the exercise apparatus are partially extended, and in which one arm is provided with two handles, and the other arm is provided with rollers, to facilitate the rowing-type exercise; Figure 15 shows an arrangement using two handles on each of the two arms with the handles being cushioned for easy operation by the ankles of the user, and with the arms of the exercise apparatus in their partially extended position;

Figure 16 shows the exercise apparatus being employed with two handles on each of the two arms of the exercise device, and with the exercise arms in their partially extended position to facilitate a bicycle-type exercise, as illustrated;

Figure 17 shows a man using the exercise device in an intermediate extension range, and with the handles mounted perpendicular to the ends of the respective arms;

Figure 18 is a diagrammatic showing of the coupling of one of the handles to one of the arms of the exercise apparatus;

Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view of the quick release mechanism for the handles;

Figure 20 is a diagrammatic showing of a double handle arrangement; and Figure 21 is a cross-sectional view showing how stirrups and wheels are to be attached to the exercise apparatus.

Detailed Description Referring more particularly to the drawings, Fig. 1 is a front view of an exercise device illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention in which the two arms 22 and 24 are pivotally coupled together at their lower ends, and the rotatable handles 26 and 28 are secured to the free ends of the arms 22 and 24. Incidentally, the handles 26 and 28 may be substantially continuously variable in their orientation between the position shown in solid lines in Fig. 1 at 26, 28 and the positions shown in dashed lines at 30, 32. This may be accomplished by having separate tapped holes into which the handles 26 and 28 may be secured, or by having ratchet-type mountings for the two handles permitting substantially continuous adjustment and fixation at any desired angle.

Each of the arms 22 and 24 are made up of a series of telescoping sections designated 22-1 through 22-4, for the four sections making up the arm 22, and similar¬ ly designated by the reference numerals 24-1 through 24- 4 for the four sections making up the arm 24. Aligned with the pivot axis of the arms 22 and 24, at the lower end of the showing of Fig. 1, is the hydraulic resista¬ nce unit 34, and the housing 36 carrying the quick release actuator 38 one end of which appears to the lower right in Fig. 1.

Figure 2 is a side view of Fig. 1, and shows the arm 22, the handle 26 and an alternate position of the handle, designated by the reference numeral 30. Also shown in Fig. 2 are the force adjustment knobs and pointers 40 and 42 which permit varying of the level of the substantially constant force of the hydraulic resistance unit, as discussed in greater detail herein- below.

Figure 3 is a view of the apparatus of Figs. 1 and 2 taken from the opposite side of the showing of Fig. 2, and with the arm 24 being shown in its telescoped configuration.

Reference will now be made to Figures 4 through 7 of the drawings in which the hydraulic resistance element and its coupling to the two arms 22 and 24 will be considered. Initial attention will be directed to Fig. 7 in which the two arms 22 and 24, the hydraulic resistance unit 34, the housing 36 and the quick release actuator 38 may be noted. Now, referring to Figures 7 and 4, within the housing 34 is a rotatable vane 46 mounted on a rotatable shaft 48. The housing 34 is rigidly keyed to the inboard arm 22 by the reinforcing member 50. The inwardly extending keys are shown in dashed lines at 52, 54 in Fig. 7.

In a similar manner, the exercise arm 24 is reinforced by the member 56, which is in turn keyed to the rotating member 58 by inwardly directed portions of the arm 24 and the reinforcing member 56. The member 58 is keyed to the shaft 48 upon which the vane 46 is mounted by special configuration of the inwardly extending end 60 of the rotating shaft 58, such as a "D" or "double-D" cross-sectional configuration, and a correspondingly shaped recess 62 in the shaft 48. The quick release member 38 as shown in Fig. 7 includes the ball-bearings 64 which extend into an annular recess in the right-hand end of shaft 48. The spring 66 normally biases the quick release actuator 38 in the right-hand direction as shown in Fig. 7, so that the ball-bearings 64 hold the assembly in the indicated position. However, when the right-hand end of shaft 38 is depress¬ ed, with a person's thumb, for example, the ball- bearings 64 drop into the recesses 68, and release the member 58 from the shaft 48. Once this has been accomplished, the outboard exercise arm 24 may be removed from the assembly along with the shaft 58, and the inboard arm 22 may be slid off the outside of the housing 34.

It may also be noted that the left-hand end of the shaft 48, as shown in Fig. 7, is provided with a bearing 70 and an 0-ring seal 72 where it interfits with the inwardly directed protrusion 74 from the housing 34. The seal 72 may be made of 3 parts 72-1, 72-2, and 72-3, with 72-1 and 72-3 being ir the nature of O-rings as shown in Fig. 7 and wiper seal portion 72-2 extending along the edge of the vane 46 as shown in Fig. 4. The housing 34 is made up of two parts, and they are held together by a series of threaded fasteners 76, with two peripheral 0-rings 78 and 80 being provided to seal the housing and retain the hydraulic fluid within the housing 34.

Concerning another minor point, a resilient springy metal member 82 is provided with strain gauges 84 mounted on its upper and lower surfaces. The member 82 is deflected by a spring 86 coupled toward the outer end of the outermost telescoping section 24-4, so that, as the arm is extended, the member 82 is deflected and the reading from the strain gauges 84 will represent the length of the arms. This may be displayed on a display 88 as indicated in Fig. 1 and Fig. 8 of the drawings, for example. In order to attach the spring 86 toward the outer end of section 24-4, the section may be provided with a hole or groove. Now, with reference to Fig. 4, as the two arms 22 and 24 are shifted in their angular orientation relative to. one another, the vane 46 and the shaft 48 will rotate, forcing fluid to flow through one of the passageways 94, each of which are coupled to the hydraulic fluid reservoir 95 on both sides of the metal structure 96 which occupies about 90 degrees of the space within the housing 34.

One of the features of the present exercise apparatus is the arrangements whereby substantially constant resistance force is provided, notwithstanding varying the speed of actuation of the two arms relative to one another. This feature is accomplished by the use of a reverse Pelton bucket structure, which is shown in greater detail in Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings. As shown in Fig. 4, there are two Pelton bucket arrange¬ ments 90 and 92, and each of them is connected to both sides of the chamber divider 96 by the passageways 94. When the vane or ": .per" 46 is operative in one direc¬ tion, one of the reverse Pelton bucket devices is operative; and when the direction of movement of the wiper 46 is reversed by movement of the arms in the opposite direction, then the other of the two Pelton bucket assemblies becomes active.

With reference to Fig. 6 of the drawings, fluid is applied to the chamber 90 through channel 94-1, and is discharged to the other side of the member 96 through the other channel 94-2. As the fluid is driven by the wiper or vane 46, it enters the channel 94-1 at very high velocities and impinges on the reverse Pelton bucket element 98, pushing it in the left-hand direction as shown in Fig. 6, against the force of the spring 100. When the hydraulic fluid hits the element 98, the reverse Pelton bucket deflects the fluid, creating a reaction force proportional to the velocity. Accord¬ ingly, with relatively low velocity, the Pelton bucket element 98 remains relatively close to the seat 102, and a relatively high resistance is encountered for the hydraulic fluid flow from channel 94-1 around element 98 to channel 94-2. However, at significantly higher velocities, spring 100 will be compressed, the element ⁹⁸ will move back to the left, as shown in Fig. 6, and a significantly lower resistance path will be available between the input and output channels. This will counteract the normal significantly increased resistance encountered when an effort is made to force fluids through small passageways at high velocities. The result is that a relatively constant resistance force is encountered when the two arms of the exercise apparatus are moved relative to one another, either at high velocities or at relatively slow velocities. The level of force provided by the reverse Pelton bucket 98 is controlled by adjusting the tension of the spring 100 by shifting the position of the spring support member 104. The enlarged end 106 of the threaded support member 104 is keyed to a pair of slots 108 in the opening 90 containing the Pelton bucket assembly. By rotation of the control element 110, the

_^—. —_*___. -- ^~ position of the spring 100 may be adjusted to vary the force applied to the reverse Pelton bucket element 98, thus controlling the level of force required to move the arms 22 and 24 relative to one another. Incidentally, the Pelton bucket members may be individually adjusted so that a different force is encountered in moving the arms in one direction as compared with the opposite direction. In addition, it may be noted that, when the vane is moving in the opposite direction, so that higher pressure is present at channel 94-2, then at 94-1, with reference to Fig. 6, then the Pelton bucket element is forced up against its seat 102, effectively acting as a one-way valve and forcing the flow of fluid to the adjacent Pelton bucket channel 92 as shown in Fig. 4. If desired, of course, automatic valving arrangements may be provided to direct fluid through a single reverse Pelton bucket assembly for both directions of movement of the vane 46, thereby slightly reducing costs. Figure 8 is an alternative showing indicating the display which is provided on housing 36 in greater detail. More specifically, a liquid crystal or LED display 88 may be provided. The information shown on the LED display may include the following: At the top, an indication of the number of inches which is the adjusted extent of arm 24, with the other arm normally being extended to the same distance. The second indication is that of the amount of force required to move the arms relative to one another. The pulse rate is indicated in the next reading and this may be implemented by a separate pulse measuring attachment which may be clipped onto the ear lobe or to a finger, for example, of the person who is exercising. This attachment is, of course, optional. The lowermost indication on the display is the number of minutes during which the exercising has been continuing.

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ΠTUTS SHEET Incidentally, in Fig. 8 at the bottom of the display are calibration screw 47 and electronic display control buttons 49 and 51. Figure 9 shows an enlarged view of the housing 34 together with the adjusting knobs and pointers 40 and 42. As mentioned above, these control the tension applied to the spring 100 within the Pelton bucket assembly. The scales on the two pointers indicate the relative resistance required for operating the arms in one direction and in the other direction, respectively.

Figures 10, 11 and 12 show in some detail the detent arrangements for holding the telescoping sections of the arms in the desired fixed positions relative to one another. More specifically, as shown in Figs. 10 and 11, the three larger sections of the arm, 24-1, 24- 2, and 24-3, are provided with thumb-actuated detents 112, 114, and 116, respectively.

In reviewing the mounting arrangements for the thumb detents, it may be noted that the detent 112 is mounted in an open channel 118 on one side of the arm 24-1, and is mounted on a spring 120 with the head 122 of the detent 112 being accessible through an opening 124 through the outer wall of the arm section 24-1. Note that, with pressure applied to the head 22 of the detent 112, its end 126 is released from th detent opening 128 in the next inner telescoping section 24-2 of the arm 24, so that the inner sections of the telescoping arm may be shifted outwardly toward the position indicated in Fig. 1 of the drawings. After the detent 114 becomes exposed, it may also be depressed to release the next inner telescoping section of the arm, etc. It may also be noted that the inner detents such as detent 114 and 116, are normally located so that telescoping movement of the sections of the arm is not hindered.

MUVTS? G t~S __L~_ r -___?T >^' ~^' Incidentally, Fig. 12 is a showing of one of the detents 112 separate from the remainder of the assembly. Figures 13 through 17, are substantially self- explanatory, and show the versatility of the exercising device of the present invention. In Fig. 13, it may be noted that the arms 22 and 24 are adjusted to a length substantially equal to that of the forearms of the person using the exercise device, with the pivot point of the arms and the housing 34 being located at a position near the elbow which constitutes the pivot point between the forearm and the upper arm, thus facilitating normal exercise of the body. Similarly, in Fig. 15, an arrangement is shown in which the length of the arms is comparable to the distance between the knees and the ankle of the user. By using a constant resistance actuator, and arms adjustable to facilitate coincidence of the pivot points of the appartus and the body, linear resistance to muscle actuation is achieved, with resultant optimal muscle development without irregularly bulging muscles.

In addition, in connection with Fig. 15, it may be noted that dual handles are employed on each arm, with each of the handles being padded, to facilitate comfortable use of the device with pressure between the ankles and the handles.

Fig. 14 shows the exercise device set up using rollers 132 secured to the outer ends of the handles of the arm 22, while double handles are provided at the end of the arm 24. Fig. 16 shows the use of the exercise device with double handles 134 and 136 secured to the ends of the arms 22 and 24 in a manner similar to the arrangement of Fig. 15. Stirrups as shown in Fig. 20 could also be used. Figure 17 shows the exercise device being used by a man with relatively high power settings, to satisfy the need for a heavy exercising force. In addition, the extension of the arms 22 and 24 is somewhat greater than in the case of a number of the exercises being performed by the woman user.

Figure 18 is a diagrammatic showing of one arrange¬ ment for mounting the handle support member 152 at any desired angle on the outer end of the outermost telesco¬ ping section 22-4 of the arm 22. As shown in Figure 18, the ratchet-type surfaces 154 and 156 mate, and are held together by the quick release mechanism 158. The quick release mechanism 158 may be released, and the angle of orientation of the handle support 152 may be shifted to any desired angle, and then fixed back into position. The sleeve 160 is rotatably mounted on the shaft 152, so that, after the grip 162 is assembled on the sleeve 160 the grip may be rotated as the exercise apparatus is in use and tensioners by the knob 192, to control the twist resistance of the handles which shows a more controlled swing of the arms.

Incidentally, referring back to Figure 18, the threaded opening 164 is provided to accept a second handle, as shown in Figures 20 and 21.

The details of the quick release mechanism are shown in Figure 19. In Fig. 19, the hub 166, which is integral with the shaft 152, has an inwardly extending tubular member 168 which makes a close fit with the mating opening 170 at the end of the telescoping arm section 22-4, as shown in Fig. 18. A recess 172 extends outwardly from the opening 170, and two metal balls 174 which are mounted and retained in holes in the sleeve 168, are forced out into the recess 172 when the release member 176 is forced to the right by the biasing pressure from the spring 178. A flange 180 retains the member 176 as part of the handle assembly. When the member 176 is pushed inwardly, the balls 174 may move inwardly into the recesses or peripheral groove 182 in member 176, releasing the hub 166 from the telescoping arm member 22-4, and permitting adjustment of the angle of the handle, or the substitution of a different handle member.

Figure 20 is a showing of the handle assembly, with the hub 166 separate from the telescoping arm section 22-4. In addition, a second handle member 188, provided with a stirrup 190, formed of flexible plastic cloth, leather, or other material, and with both of the two handles 162 and 188 being held in place by the threaded members 192 and 194 which may be knurled on their outer surface for ease in screwing them into place on the outer ends of the handle rods, such as that shown at 152 in Fig. 18.

Figure 21 is a cross-sectional view showing the hub 166 having the handle support shaft 152 extending in one direction, with the sleeve 160 and the grip 162 concent¬ rically mounted on shaft 152. The cap member 192 holds the assembly together, with the stirrup 195 mounted as indicated in Fig. 21. A second handle shaft 196 is threaded into the internal threads 164 in hub 166, and s similarly provided with a sleeve 198 which may rotate on the shaft 196, and an outer grip or handle 200 mounted on the sleeve 198. A wheel 202 is mounted at the right-hand end of shaft 196, as shown in Figure 21, and is held in place by the cap, or tensioning knob 194. If desired, a set screw 204 may be provided to secure the tensioning knob 194 securely onto the shaft 196. It is to be understood, of course, that two wheels, or two stirrups may be employed, instead of the composite showing of Fig. 21. In addition, two handles may be secured to the end of the members. 22, as shown in Figures 15 and 16 of the drawings, in place of a single handle and a stirrup.

In conclusion, it is to be understood that the exercise apparatus embodiment as described hereinabove and disclosed in the accompanying drawings is illustra¬ tive of the principles of the invention. However, changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Thus, by way of example and not of limitation, the telescoping tubes forming the arms of the apparatus may be circular rather than rectangular; and alternative detent mechanisms and resistance units may be employed. Also, instead of a spring and strain gauges for sensing the extension of the arms, this may be accomplished by a digital optical encoder or a spool with a wire attached to the outer arm, for example. Also, the reverse Pelton bucket principle may be employed in other types of exercise apparatus to provide substantially constant resistance. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the preferred embodiment as shown in the drawings and described in detail hereinabove.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A compact, multi-purpose exercise apparatus having substantially constant resistance with variable speed of actuation, comprising: first and second intercoupled arms, pivotally interconnected at one end of each of said arms, said arms having adjustable orientation actuators mounted at the other ends of each of said arms; means for adjusting the length of each of said arms from about one foot to about three feet; hydraulic resistance means mechanically coupled to said two arms at their ends which are pivotally inter¬ connected to provide substantially constant resistance to relative pivotal movement of said arms with respect to one-another despite variations in the speed of actuation of said arms; said hydraulic means for providing constant resistance including a spring biased flow blocking means movable to reduce hydraulic fluid flow resistance with higher velocities of fluid flow when said arms are operated at high speed; and means for adjusting the resistance of said hydrau¬ lic resistance means.

2. A compact multi-purpose exercise apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said arms includes a plurality of telescoping intercoupled sections.

3. A compact multi-purpose exercise apparatus as defined in claim 2 further comprising thumb actuated locking detent means for holding said telescoping sections of said arms in fixed relative positions relative to one another.

4. A compact multi-purpose exercise apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein at least one of said tele¬ scoping sections is provided with a plurality of closely spaced openings for receiving a locking detent means secured to an adjacent telescoping section.

5. A compact multi-purpose exercise apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said locking means includes thumb actuated spring mounted detents mounted on outer sections of said arms and extending into openings or recesses in the underlying or inner telescoping sections of said arms.

6. A compact multi-purpose exercise apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said hydraulic constant resistance means is in the form of a reverse Pelton bucket-

7. A compact multi-purpose exercise apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said actuators are handles, and further including means for mounting said handles at different angles relative to said arms.

8. A compact multi-purpose exercise apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said actuators are pairs of handles mounted at the ends of each of said arms for actuation by the feet or ankles.

9. A compact, multi-purpose exercise apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein one of said actuators on one arm includes a pair of rollers, and the other of said actuators on the other arm is a double handle extending substantially perpendicular to said other arm on each side thereof, to facilitate the execution of rowing type exercises.

10. A compact, multi-purpose exercise apparatus having substantially constant resistance with variable speed of actuation, comprising: first and second exercise members movable relative to one another; actuator means for moving said exercise members by the person performing the exercise; hydraulic resistance means mechanically coupled to said two exercise members to provide substantially constant resistance to relative movement of said members with respect to one another despite variations in the speed of actuation of said members; said hydraulic means for providing substantially constant resistance inclu¬ ding a spring-biased flow blocking means movable to reduce hydraulic fluid flow resistance with higher velocities of fluid flow when said members are operated at high speed; and means for adjusting the resistance of said hydrau¬ lic resistance means.

11. A compact multi-purpose exercise apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein said hydraulic resistance means is in the form of a reverse Pelton bucket.

12. A compact, multi-purpose exercise apparatus comprising: first and second intercoupled arms, pivotally interconnected at one end of each of said arms, said arms having adjustable orientation actuators mounted at

^' the other ends of each of said arms; means for adjusting the length of each of said arms from a first predetermined length to a second length at least twice as great as said first predetermined length; resistance means mechanically coupled to said two arms at their ends which are pivotally interconnected, to provide resistance to relative pivotal movement of said arms; and means for adjusting the resistance of said resis¬ tance means.

13. A compact multi-purpose exercise apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein each of said arms includes a plurality of telescoping intercoupled sections.

14. A compact multi-purpose exercise apparatus as defined in claim 12 further comprising thumb actuated locking detent means for holding said telescoping sections of said arms in fixed relative positions relative to one another.

15. A compact multi-purpose exercise apparatus as defined in claim 14 wherein at least one of said tele¬ scoping sections is provided with a plurality of closely spaced openings for receiving a locking detent means secured to an adjacent telescoping section.

16. A compact multi-purpose exercise apparatus as defined in claim 14 wherein said locking means includes thumb actuated spring mounted detents mounted on outer sections of said arms and extending into openings or recesses in the underlying or inner telescoping sections of said arms.

17. A compact multi-purpose exercise apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein said resistance means is a hydraulic resistance unit and includes a reverse Pelton bucket.

18. A compact multi-purpose exercise apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein said actuators are handles, and further including means for mounting said handles at different angles relative to said arms.

19. A compact multi-purpose exercise apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein said actuators are stirrups mounted at the ends of each of said arms for actuation by the feet or ankles.

20. A compact multi-purpose exercise apparatus as defined ^• in claim 12 further comprising quick release means for separating said arms to permit compact storage of said apparatus.

21. A compact multi-purpose exercise apparatus as defined in claim 12 further comprising quick release means for securing said actuators to the ends of said arms.