GB2131308A - Exercise device - Google Patents

Abstract

The device comprises a column 10 with a foot bar 14 at the bottom, a slider 18 slidably mounted on the column and a handle 20 on the slider. A flat tape 24, 124 either extends for part of the length of the column 10 and passes through a guide arrangement 140 attached to the slider 18 or extends from the slider 18 along the column (10) and passes through a guide system 61, 62 at each end of the column (10). Vertical movement of the handle 20 up and down the column 10 causes the tape to slide frictionally through the guide arrangement 140 or guide systems 61, 62 respectively. The tension in tape can be adjusted. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Exercise devices This invention relates to exercise devices.

According to one aspect of the present invention, an exercise device comprises base means adapted to be mounted or held at or near floor level, guiding means extending upwards from the base means and arranged to guide a handle for movement upwards and downwards relative to the base means, and means arranged to resist such upwards and/or downwards movements of the handle.

The base means might, for example, be screwed to the floor. However, in a preferred embodiment, the base means is a foot-rest on which the user may place his feet to hold the foot-rest firmly on the ground. This means that the device can be made portable, because it has no fixings holding it in one position. In one convenient mode of use, the user sits on a chair while holding the base means stationary with his feet.

Preferably the handle is adapted to be gripped by both the user's hands; by working the handle up and down against the opposition of the resisting means, the user can exercise his stomach and back muscles, the stomach muscles being in use during the downward movements, and the back muscles during the upward movements.

The resisting means may include a flexible elongate friction element, and tensioning means arranged in a point or zone of action to act on the flexible friction element to maintain a tension in the part of the friction element adjacent the point or zone of action, and a guide system which guides the flexible friction element, the arrangement being such that movements of the handle by a user of the device result in reciprocating movement of at least a portion of the flexible friction element in the general direction of its own length, and that any movements of the handle by a user of the device which result in movement of the flexible friction element against the said tension maintained by the tensioning means also result in frictional sliding of the friction element around at least one guiding element which forms at least part of the guide system.

Preferably, the flexible friction element is guided around the guiding means to form nearly a complete loop.

In a preferred arrangement, the tensioning means is connected on the one hand to an end of the loop not connected to the handle, and on the other hand to the handle. With such an arrangement, the tensioning means does not necessarily have to undergo any substantial changes in length; it simply has to maintain a tension, despite slight variations in length. With such an arrangement, there is a greater resistance to movement of the handle in one direction that the other. Conveniently, the tensioning means actually interconnects the two ends of the loop, and the handle is associated with a latching arrangement by which it may be selectively connected to one or other of the ends of the loop. This allows the greater resistance to act in either direction, at the user's choice.

In an alternative arrangement, two flexible friction elements may be used, each passing around its own guide system, while a single tensioning means may be used to maintain the tension in the parts of the two friction elements adjacent the respective points or zones of action of the tensioning means on the friction elements. For example, the tensioning means might simply be an elastic device connecting the respective ends of the two flexible friction elements.

In a further modified arrangement, the flexible elongate friction element remains generally stationary, but, with movements of the handle, the guide system moves, relatively to the friction element, to produce frictional sliding of the friction element about at least one guiding element which forms part of the guide system.

In another preferred embodiment the tensioning means is connected between the handle and the friction element and acts between the handle and the point of action of the handle on the friction element. Again, the tensioning means does not necessarily have to undergo any substantial changes in length but merely has to maintain tension despite slight variations in length.

Preferably, in this latter arrangement, there are two tensioning means, one connected between the handle and each end of the friction element. Thus, by adjusting the effect of the appropriate tensioning means on the corresponding friction element and the resistance to movement of the handle in the direction towards that end can be increased or decreased.

Thus, the invention may provide an exercise device which comprises first and second means, movable relative to one another, on which a user of the device can exert forces, and resisting means arranged in at least one mode of use of the exercise device, to resist movement of the first and second means towards one another, and in at least one mode of use of the exercise device, to resist movement of the first and second means away from one another.

Again, the invention may provide an exercise device which comprises first and second means which are guided for movement relative to one another along a predetermined path, and energy-dissipating resisting means arranged to resist movements of the first and second means towards and/or away from one another.

Other forms of resisting means than those described above may be used. For example, a hydraulic damping arrangement of some kind might be used. One way in which hydraulic damping might be achieved is to provide a flexible-walled pipe containing liquid, and sealed at its ends, and a wheel or roller arrangement which pinches the pipe, and is movable along the pipe with movements of the handle (or the first and second means). Thus, the liquid has to flow through the pinched pQrtion, and this absorbs energy.

In a modified version of this arrangement, the wheel or roller arrangement might pinch a solid elastomeric strip, so that energy is absorbed by hysteresis, and possibly also by friction. Yet another arrangement might use friction elements rubbing on an elongate guide along which the handle (or first and second means) are slidable.

The invention may be carried into practice in various ways, and some embodiments and modifications will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a front view of an exerciser embodying the invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the exerciser of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view, showing how the exerciser is used; Figure 4 is a side view showing the detailed arrangement of certain parts of the exerciser; and Figure 5 and 6 are side views showing two modified forms of exerciser.

Figure 7 is a simplified side elevation of a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 8 is a side view of the slider to a larger scale; Figure 9 is a front view of the slider; Figure 10 is a front view of the slider with the cover removed; Figure 11 and 12 are front and side views of the cover; Figure 13 is an isometric sketch of the friction element retainer; and Figure 14 is a rear view of the guide means showing the clamping arrangement.

The exerciser shown in the drawings has a frame consisting of an upright column 10, of square section tubing, which has telescoped into its lower end a column extension 12, also of square section tubing. The column extension 12 is fixed to a footrest bar 14, to form an inverted'T' shape, and a spring-loaded plunger 16 is provided at the lower end of the column 10 to lock the relative positions of the column and the column extension, by engaging in one of a row of holes in the column extension 12. A slider 18 fits around the column 10, and has a pair of handles 20 projecting from its opposite sides, in directions parallel to the foot-rest bar 14. Means, to be described in detail later, are provided to oppose movement of the slider 18 up or down the column 10.

Atypical mode of use is illustrated in Figure 3. As can be seen from this figure, the user sits on a chair, and places his feet on the foot-rest bar 14, while grasping the handles 20 one in each hand. Exercises can then be performed by moving the slider 18 up and down along the column, against the action of the opposing means mentioned above. During downard movements, the user exercises his stomach muscles, while during upward movements, he exercises his back muscles. If the user keeps his arms straight during these movements, as is illustrated in Figure 3, the column 10 will have to rock from its upright position, which is shown in full line in Figure 3, to a slightly inclined position, which is shown in chain-dotted line in Figure 3.

This rocking is possible because the foot-rest bar 14 is only of slender cross-section, so that it can easily turn slightly under the user's feet. Since there may be a tendency for the user's feet to rise off the foot-rest bar 14 when moving the slider 18 downwards along the column 10, toe-straps 22 are provided to ensure that the user's feet remain more or less in contact with the foot-rest bar.

In an alternative form (not shown) the bar 14 is replaced by a foot pad shaped to receive the feet of a user.

The column 10 is pivotally connected to the foot pad through preferably the pivotal movement is limited in a direction towards the user.

In the constructions shown in Figures 1 to 6, the means for opposing the vertical movement of the slider 18 includes a flat tape 24 of nylon webbing. The tape 24 extends upwards from the slider 18, on the side of the column 10 remote from the user, around an upper guide unit 26 mounted at the top of the column 10, then around a lower guide unit 28 mounted at the bottom of the column 10, and finally extends from the guide unit 28 upwards to the slider 18, again on the side of the column 10 remote from the user. At the slider, the two ends of the tape 24 are joined, so that the tape forms an endless loop, by a tensioning arrangement which is shown in detail in Figure 4. Each end of the tape is trapped between the two limbs of a folded metal plate 30, and secured in place by one or more rivets (not shown) extending through the plate.Near its folded edge, each plate 30 has two small holes, into which are hooked the ends of a pair of tension springs 32, so that the springs 32 interconnect the ends of the tape 24.

In operation, one or other of the ends of the tape 24 is linked to the slider 18 in a manner which provides substantially no elasticity, by a mechanism which will now be described in more detail.

The slider 18 is formed by a piece of square section tubing which fits around the column 10. The tubing has a lining of nylon webbing, to promote smooth sliding up and down the column 10. A detent 34 is movably mounted on the slider 18, and has upper and lower detent teeth 36 which can engage in oblong openings 37 formed in the plates 30. The detent 34 can be moved in the fore-and-aft direction relative to the slider 18; in more detail, the detect includes a strip portion which is bent into an oblong shape embracing the square tube of the slider 18. The longer sides of the oblong contact the side surfaces of the slider 18, and are received between upper and lower guides 38 attached to these side surfaces, so that the movement of the detent 34 is limited to the horizontal fore-and-aft direction. A compression spring (not visible in the drawings) is mounted between the front, shorter side of the oblong and the square tube of the slider 18, to bias the detent forwards, so that the detent teeth 36, which are positioned behind the column 10 (i.e. on the side of the column remote from the user) and are turned towards the slider 18, are normally biassed into contact with the slider. The vertical spacing between the detent teeth 36 is somewhat less than the vertical spacing between the oblong openings 37 in the plates 30 in which they engage, so that only one of the detent teeth 36 at a time can engage in the respective opening 37.The user can manually press the detent 34 to the rear against its biasing spring, so that the previously-engaged detent tooth 36 moves clear of the corresponding opening 37, and then the user can shift the slider 18 vertically relative to the tape 24, so that the other detent tooth 36 can be engaged in the other opening 37. The reason for this arrangement will become clear later.

Each of the guide units 26 and 28 includes a pair of side plates 40, between which is fixedly mounted a cylindrical guide 42. In addition, an adjustable cylindrical guide 44 is mounted between each pair of side plates, in such a way that it can be angularly adjusted about an axis eccentric to its own axis. A lever 46 is attached to each of the adjustable guides 44, to allow itto be moved to the desired position during adjustment, and a clamping knob 48 is provided to clamp the guide 44 in the desired position. As can be seen from the drawings, the effect of the guides 44 is to increase the total angle of wrap of the tape 24 around the guides 42 and 44 of each guide unit to a value greater than 180 ; the exact value of this total angle of wrap can be varied by adjusting the position of the guides 44, as described above.

In operation, the springs 32 will maintain an approximately constant tension T1 on one of the portions of the tape 24 connected to the slider 18. For example, if the upper detent tooth 36 is received in the upper opening 37, the part of the tape 24 running downwards from the slider will be controlled only by the springs 32, and the tension in this part will beT1. If the slider 14 is now moved downwards, the tape 24 will be forced to slide over the surfaces of the guides 42 and 44.The friction occurring between the tape and the guides of the guide units 26 and 28 will mean that the tension T2 in the part of the tape 24 running upwards from the slider 18 is greater than the tension T1; the ratio between these tensions is theoretically given by the formula

where > is the coefficient of sliding friction of the tape 24 around the guides 42 and 44, and e is the total angle of wrap of the tape around the guides of the guide units 26 and 28.

The force opposing downward movement of the slider 18 is the amount by which T2 exceeds T1.

Theoretically, this is T1 (e-1).

Conversely, when the slider 18 is moved upwards, T2 will be less than T1; the theoretical relationship is given by

Thus, in the case, the force opposing the downward movement of the slider 18 is the amount by which T1 exceeds T2; theoretically, this is

In other words, the force opposing upwards movement of the slider is theoretically greater than the force opposing downwards movement by a factor of e .

By disengaging the upper detent tooth 36, and engaging the lower detent tooth 36 in the lower opening 37, the relationship between the forces opposing movement of the slider 18 in two directions can be reversed, because now the tension in the part of the tape 24 running upwards from the slider will be maintained substantially constant by the springs 32.

In practice, the tension T1 may not be strictly constant during operation, because the webbing tape 24 may change its total length slightly as it is subjected to different tensions along the different parts of its length, but the variations in T1 will only by slight, because the elasticity of the springs 32 is much greater than that of the tape 24.

In an alternative arrangement, illustrated in Figure 5, the ends of the tape 24 are anchored directly to the slider 18 without the interposition of any springs such as 32, and without the user of any detents such as 34.

In its run from the slider 18, over the upper and lower guide units 26 and 28, and back to the slider 18, the tape is divided half-way along its length into two portions, which are interconnected by a tensioning arrangement. This tensioning arrangement comprises two tension springs 132, which, like the springs 32, hook into small holes formed in folded plates 130 riveted to the ends of the tape 24.

In operation, the springs 132 will maintain an approximately constant tension T1 on the connected parts of the tape 24. If the slider 18 is now moved downwards, for example, the tape 24 will be forced to slide over the surfaces of the guides 42 and 44. The friction occurring between the tape and the guides of the upper guide unit 26 will mean that the tension T2 in the part of the tape 24 running upwards from the slider 18 is greater than the tension T1; the ratio between these tensions is theoretically given by the formula

where 0 is now the total angle of wrap of the tape around the guides of the upper guide unit 26 only.

Similarly, the friction occurring in the lower guide unit 28 will mean that the tension T3 in the part of the tape 24 running downwards from the slider 18 is less than the tension T,; the value of T3 is theoretically given by

where + is the total angle of wrap of the tape 18 around the guides of the lower guide unit 28.

The force opposing downward movement of the slider 12 is the amount by which T2 exceeds T3.

Conversely, when the slider 18 is moved upwards, T3 will be greater than T1, and T2 will be less than T, and the force opposing movement of the slider 18 is the amount by which T3 exceeds T2.

Figure 6 illustrates a further alternative arrangement, in which a tape 124 of flat synthetic textile webbing extends from an upper anchorage 126, along the length of the column 10, on the side away from the user, to a lower anchorage 128. In the course of this run, the tape 124 passes through a guide arrangement 140 attached to the slider 18; this guide arrangement comprises three semi-cylindrical guides 142 which are rigidly mounted on the back of the slider, and two semi-cylindrical guides 144 which are mounted on an adjusting plate 146. As Figure 6 shows, the guides 142 and 144 together constrain the tape 124 to follow a zig-zag path, so that, if the slider 18 is moved up or down along the column 10, the tape 124 is forced to slide frictionally around the guides 142 and 144.To allow the total angle of wrap ofthe tape around the guides to be adjusted, the adjusting plate 146 can be moved towards or away from the slider 18 by means of an adjusting screw 148, which is itself carried in a yoke 150 attached to the rear of the slider 18, and embracing the adjusting plate 146.

At each of its upper and lower ends, the tape 124 is connected to the anchorage 126 or 128 by a pair of tension springs 152. Thus, if the user applies a downwards force (for example) to the slider 18, the tension in the upper part of the tape 124 will increase, with a resulting increase in the length of the upper springs 152, while the tension in the lower part of the tape will decrease, with a contraction in the length of the lower springs 152. When the ratio of these two tensions reaches a certain value, the tape 124 will begin to slip around the guides 142 and 144, absorbing energy as the slider moves.Similar events will take place if the slider is moved upwards; if the rates of the springs 152 at the top and bottom ofthe tape 124 are equal, the forces opposing upwards and downward movement of the slider 18 will be equal. if, on the other hand, the springs at one end (for example, the top end) are stiffer than those at the other (bottom) end, the force opposing downward movement will be greater than the force opposing upward movement. It might even be possible to eliminate entirely the springs 152 at one end. In cases in which the forces opposing movement in the two directions are not equal, it might be possible to make the column 10 reversible end for end with respect to the column extension 12, so that the larger resistance can be either upwards or downwards acting.

In a further modification of the arrangement of Figure 6, stops might be provided to limit the extension of the springs 152 at one or both ends of the tape 124. The effect of this would be that, once the springs 152 at one end had extended sufficiently for the stop to come into action, the tension in the part of the tape remote from the stop would remain more or less constant at a value determined by the springs 152 associated with this part of the tape, since the tape 124 cannot now shift lengthways. The tension in the part of the tape associated with the tape would now rise until the tape begins to slip around the guides 142 and 144; when this occurs, the resistance to movement will be higher than if no stops were provided.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 7 to 14, the means for opposing the vertical movement ofthe slider 18 again includes a flat tape 24 of nylon webbing and the slider 18 comprises a length of rectangular section tubing lined with nylon webbing and surrounding the column 10. The tape 24 extends between an upper guide unit 61 and a lower guide unit 62. Each guide unit 61,62 includes a small inner cylindrical guide 63 and a larger outer cylindrical guide 64. The tape 24 passes around each of the larger guides 63, over the two small guides 63 and its two ends are located at the slider 18.

Each guide unit 61, 62 also includes a clamping arrangement for clamping the guide unit 61, 62 to the column 10 as shown in Figure 14. The guide unit 61,62 includes a split rectangular section sleeve 81 surrounding the column 10. The sleeve 81 is tightened by means of a clamping bolt 82 which passes through a yoke 83 on one side of the split and a fixed nut 84 on the other side of the split. Thus, the guide units 61,62 can be clamped to the column 10 at any desired position, which ensures that the tape 24 can be maintained taught even after a certain amount of wear.

In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 7, the extension 12 is locked in position relative to the column 10 by means of a pin 85 which passes through the column 10 and through the appropriate one of a set of apertures 86 in the extension 12.

The slider 18 has a longitudinal aperture 65 through which the portion of the tape 24 between its ends passes substantially unhindered. This aperture 65 is defined by a cover 66 which fits over two side panels 67, 68 extending towards the user from the slider 18. The handle 20 extends through the two side panels 67,68.

The way in which each of the two ends of the tape 24 is located at the slider is shown in Figures 10 and 13.

Each end of the tape 24 which extends from the small roller 63 passes over a retaine 69 and back on itself where it is secured. The retainer 69 is a flat metal plate whose two ends are bifurcated. One 71 of the two fingers thus formed at each end is bent through 90" so that it is normal to the plane of the plate, while the other 72 remains undeformed, projecting outwards. The two undeformed fingers 72 are located in corresponding slots 73 in the side panels 67, 68 so that each retainer is slidably located between the two side panels 67, 68. Thus, the ends of the tape 24 are prevented from moving out of the slider 18 but are free to move inwards to a limited extent.

The tensioning means comprises a pair of tension springs 74,75, one associated with each end of the tape 24. Each spring 74,75 has one end attached to one retainer 69 and its associated tape end, and the other end attached to a tension selector 76, 77.

The tension selector 76 comprises a pin 78 having a head 79 and a widened section 91 through which the pin 78 extends. The spring 74 is attached to the pin 78 between the head 79 and the section 91. The end of the pin 78 is loosely located in a hole in the side panel 67, while the portion of the pin 78 between the spring 74 and the head 79 is located in one of a series of notches 92 formed in the other side panel 68. Thus, the tension exerted by the spring 74 can be varied by adjusting the position of the selector 76 which is achieved by selecting a different notch 92 for the location of the pin 78.

The construction of the selector 77 and the spring 75 and their operation on the other tape end are similar so that described above in relation to the selector 76 and the spring 74, though the notches are formed in the other side panel 67 and end of the selector is loosely located in the side panel 68.

In operation, theoretically, one of the springs 74,75 will exert an approximately constant tension on the portion of the tape 24 to which it is attached, depending on the direction of movement. Thus, for movement of the handle 20 downwards, the fingers 72, of the upper retainer 69 will engage the upper end of the slot 73 and so the spring 74 will have no effect while the spring 75 will exert a tension T1 on the portion of the tape 24,20 between the slider 18 and the upper guide unit 62.The tension in the portion of the tape 24 running upwards from the slider 18 will be given by T2 = Tleye where > is the coefficient of sliding friction of the tape 24 around the guides 63,64 and (3 is the total angle of frictional constant between the tape 24 and the guides 63,64 of both guide units 61,62. Thus the opposing downward movement is T2-T1 = T1 (e H - 1).

On the other hand, for movement of the handle 20 upwards, the spring 75 will have no effect while the spring 74 will exert a tension T3 (which, of course, may or may not be equal toT1) on that portion of the tape 24 between the slider 18 and the upper guide unit 61. The tension in that portion of the tape running downwards from the slider 18 will be given by T4 = The and so on.

It will therefore be appreciated that the resistance to movement of the slider downwards can be increased by increasing the tension exerted on the tape 24 by the lower spring 75. This is achieved by locating the pin 78 in a notch 92 which is further away from the tape end. Similarly, resistance to movement of the slider 18 upwards can be increased by increasing the tension exerted by upper spring 74.

Claims (9)

1. An exercise device comprising base means adapted to be mounted or held at or near floor level, guiding means extending upwards from the base means and arranged to guide a handle for movement upwards and downwards relative to the bease means, and means arranged to resist such upwards and/or downwards movements of the handle.

2. A device as claimed in Claim 1 in which the base means comprises a foot rest.

3. A device as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which the resisting means includes a flexible elongate friction element, and tensioning means arranged in a point or zone of action to act on the flexible friction element to maintain a tension in the part of the friction element adjacent the point or zone of action, and a guide system which guides the flexible friction element, the arrangement being such that movements of the handle by a user of the device result in reciprocating movement of at least a portion of the flexible friction element in the general direction of its own length, and that movements of the handle in at least one direction result in frictional sliding of the friction means around at least one guiding means which forms at least part of the guide system.

4. A device as claimed in Claim 3 in which the flexible friction element is guided around the guide system to form nearly a complete loop, and the tensioning means is connected on the one hand to an end of the loop not connected to the handle, and on the other hand to the handle.

5. A device as claimed in Claim 4, in which the tensioning means interconnects the two ends of the loop, and the handle is associated with a latching arrangement by which it may be selectively connected to one or other of the ends of the loop.

6. A device as claimed in Claim 3, which includes two flexible elongate friction elements, each passing around respective guide systems, and in which the tensioning means acts between respective points or zones on the two friction elements, which points or zones both lie on the side of the respective guide systems remote from the handle, as considered along the run of the respective friction element.

7. A device as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 3 in which the tensioning means is connected between the handle and the friction element and acts between the handle and the point action of the handle on the friction e!ement.

8. A device as claimed in Claim 7 in which there are two tensioning means one connected between the handle and each end of the friction element.

9. An exercise device constructed and arranged substantially as herein described, with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 to 4, or Figure 5, or Figure 6, or Figures 7 to 14 of the accompanying drawings.