GB2118849A

GB2118849A - Exercise bench

Info

Publication number: GB2118849A
Application number: GB08211931A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Herrod
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-04-24
Filing date: 1982-04-24
Publication date: 1983-11-09
Also published as: GB2118849B

Abstract

The bench, for use when practising swimming strokes out of water, comprises a main body support 7 on a stand 1, and a back/chest support 13 extending from one end of the main support and pivotable about a longitudinal axis of the main support. The back/chest support 13 is freely rotatable and provided with alternative surface profiles on opposite faces to suit practice in different strokes such as back stroke and crawl. The bench can be used with a pulley exercise machine. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Exercise bench This invention relates to an exercise bench especially suitable for use when practising swimming strokes out of water.

Exercise benches upon which swimming strokes are practised typically consist of a narrow table having provision at one end for the installation of a head-rest for practising certain strokes, and arranged to be usable in conjunction with pulley exercising machines which exert a drag on the arms approximating to the resistance due to water in swimming.

A problem with conventional exercise benches of this type is that adequate comfortable support is not given when practising strokes, such as back crawl, requiring support allowing substantial rotation of the upper part of the back and the shoulder blades.

This problem is overcome by the present invention, which provides an exercise bench comprising a main body support spaced from the ground by a stand, and a back or chest support extending from one end of the main support and pivotable about an axis extending longitudinally of the main support.

The backar chest support pivots from side to side at least sufficiently to accommodate movement of the back or chest swimming actions, e.g. through about 20a300 on each side of the vertical through the axis. Preferably the back or chest support is continuously rotatable, alternative surface profiles being provided on opposite faces for different types of stroke, e.g. back stroke or crawl. The support may be provided with resilient or spongy surface.

A head-rest may be provided at a position forward of the back or chest support. The headrest may be detachable and its position relative to the back or chest support may be varied both longitudinally and vertically.

The exercise bench of the invention is comfortable in prolonged practice of all types of swimming strokes.

Reference is made to the drawings, in which: Figures 1, 2 and 3 are respectively side elevation, top plan view and front elevation of a bench in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; and Figure 4 is a section on line A-A in Figure 2.

The bench comprises a stand 1 consisting of two columns 2 and 3 extending from a central tube 4 at the opposite ends of which are provided cross-bars 5 and 6. The main body support 7 comprises a central supporting tube 8 and crossmembers 9 and 10 supporting a board 11 having a layer of cloth-covered plastics foam 12 on the upper surface thereof. The board 11 narrows at one end thereof and the central supporting tube 8 is extended beyond the end of the board 11.

The back or chest support 1 3 comprises a tubular core 14 (Figure 4) containing a roller bearing 1 5 at each end thereof adapted to be received upon the extended portion of the tube 8.

Plastics foam padding 1 6 surrounds the core 14, the shape of the padding 1 6 providing alternative profiles on opposite faces of the support 13. A cioth cover is provided over the padding 16. A head-rest 1 7 is mounted on a rod 18 securable in a tube 19 by a locking screw 20, The tube 1 9 is mounted on a rod 21 which is supported in the end of the tube 8 and iockable by a locking screw 22. The longitudinal and vertical positions of the head-rest 1 7 relative to the support 1 3 may thus be varied to suit the individual using the bench, and the head-rest may also be removed when not required.

In use, the person wishing to exercise positions himself on the bench with his chest or shoulders on the chest or back support 1 3 and his head on the head-rest 17, if required. A pulley exercise machine is mounted on the front part of the stand such that the user's hands and arms can perform the necessary movements holding on to the hand grips of the machine while the appropriate resistance to movement is provided. The rolling movement of the chest and back support 1 3 follows the movement of the shoulder blades and thus does not give rise to friction while giving adequate support.

1. An exercise bench comprising a main body support spaced from the ground by a stand, and a back or chest support extending from one end of the main support and pivotable about an axis extending longitudinally of the main support.

2. An exercise bench according to Claim 1, wherein the back or chest support is arranged to pivot from side to side at least sufficiently to accommodate movement of the back or chest in swimming actions.

3. An exercise bench according to Claim 2, wherein the back or chest support is arranged to pivot through 20C on each side of the vertical through the axis.

4. An exercise bench according to any of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the back or chest support is continuously rotatable, alternative surface profiles being provided on opposite faces suitable for different types of stroke.

5. An exercise bench according to any preceding claim, wherein the support is provided with resilient or spongy surface.

6. An exercise.bench according to any preceding claim, which comprises a head-rest at a position forward of the back or chest support.

7. An exercise bench according to Claim 6, wherein the head-rest is detachable.

8. An exercise bench according to Claim 6 or 7, wherein the position of the head-rest relative to the back or chest support may be varied longitudinally.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Exercise bench This invention relates to an exercise bench especially suitable for use when practising swimming strokes out of water. Exercise benches upon which swimming strokes are practised typically consist of a narrow table having provision at one end for the installation of a head-rest for practising certain strokes, and arranged to be usable in conjunction with pulley exercising machines which exert a drag on the arms approximating to the resistance due to water in swimming. A problem with conventional exercise benches of this type is that adequate comfortable support is not given when practising strokes, such as back crawl, requiring support allowing substantial rotation of the upper part of the back and the shoulder blades. This problem is overcome by the present invention, which provides an exercise bench comprising a main body support spaced from the ground by a stand, and a back or chest support extending from one end of the main support and pivotable about an axis extending longitudinally of the main support. The backar chest support pivots from side to side at least sufficiently to accommodate movement of the back or chest swimming actions, e.g. through about 20a300 on each side of the vertical through the axis. Preferably the back or chest support is continuously rotatable, alternative surface profiles being provided on opposite faces for different types of stroke, e.g. back stroke or crawl. The support may be provided with resilient or spongy surface. A head-rest may be provided at a position forward of the back or chest support. The headrest may be detachable and its position relative to the back or chest support may be varied both longitudinally and vertically. The exercise bench of the invention is comfortable in prolonged practice of all types of swimming strokes. Reference is made to the drawings, in which: Figures 1, 2 and 3 are respectively side elevation, top plan view and front elevation of a bench in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; and Figure 4 is a section on line A-A in Figure 2. The bench comprises a stand 1 consisting of two columns 2 and 3 extending from a central tube 4 at the opposite ends of which are provided cross-bars 5 and 6. The main body support 7 comprises a central supporting tube 8 and crossmembers 9 and 10 supporting a board 11 having a layer of cloth-covered plastics foam 12 on the upper surface thereof. The board 11 narrows at one end thereof and the central supporting tube 8 is extended beyond the end of the board 11. The back or chest support 1 3 comprises a tubular core 14 (Figure 4) containing a roller bearing 1 5 at each end thereof adapted to be received upon the extended portion of the tube 8. Plastics foam padding 1 6 surrounds the core 14, the shape of the padding 1 6 providing alternative profiles on opposite faces of the support 13. A cioth cover is provided over the padding 16. A head-rest 1 7 is mounted on a rod 18 securable in a tube 19 by a locking screw 20, The tube 1 9 is mounted on a rod 21 which is supported in the end of the tube 8 and iockable by a locking screw 22. The longitudinal and vertical positions of the head-rest 1 7 relative to the support 1 3 may thus be varied to suit the individual using the bench, and the head-rest may also be removed when not required. In use, the person wishing to exercise positions himself on the bench with his chest or shoulders on the chest or back support 1 3 and his head on the head-rest 17, if required. A pulley exercise machine is mounted on the front part of the stand such that the user's hands and arms can perform the necessary movements holding on to the hand grips of the machine while the appropriate resistance to movement is provided. The rolling movement of the chest and back support 1 3 follows the movement of the shoulder blades and thus does not give rise to friction while giving adequate support. CLAIMS

7. An exercise bench according to Claim 6, wherein the head-rest is detachable.

9. An exercise bench according to Claim 6, 7 or 8, wherein the position of the head-rest relative to the back or chest support may be varied vertically.

10. An exercise bench, substantially as described with reference to or as shown in the drawings.