GB2133706A

GB2133706A - Exercising device

Info

Publication number: GB2133706A
Application number: GB08301635A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Eric Baldwin
Original assignee: SPENBY Ltd
Current assignee: SPENBY Ltd
Priority date: 1983-01-21
Filing date: 1983-01-21
Publication date: 1984-08-01
Also published as: GB8301635D0

Abstract

The device comprises a frame 2, one end of which is detachably secured to a support 3, and a sliding seat 4 by means of which a user propels himself up and down the frame. Handlebars 11, a pivotally mounted foot rest 12 with strap 14 and a rope and pulley system 17, 18 with handles 19 enable the user to sit or lie in various different positions, to exercise different parts of the body. The support 23 has a series of rungs 25 with which the frame 2 may selectively engage, to vary the inclination of the frame. The support is collapsible for easy storage and transport. The seat is mounted on the frame via three sets of rollers. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Exercising device This invention relates to exercising devices.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an exercising device comprising a frame, a seat mounted on the frame for sliding movement along a path, and adjustable support means for supporting the frame on the ground at selectively variable inclinations thereto, the arrangement being such that a user may support himself on the seat, apply a force against the frame to cause the seat to slide along said path, and adjust the inclination of said path by means of said adjustable support means.

The frame may be of any suitable configuration, but may with advantage be of an open configuration, made from tubular steel. It may be elongate, and it may be provided at one or both of its ends with a hand or foot rest.

Rope and pulley means may be attached to the seat and to the frame, to enable the user to pull upon the rope to cause the seat to slide along said path.

There may be provided above a lowermost position of the seat a foot rest which is pivotally mounted on the frame and is provided with means for securing the feet in position on the foot rest.

The adjustable support means may with advantage be provided as a separate structure, to which the frame is selectively connectable. The seperate structure may be in the form of a ladder, affording a series of rungs to any one of which the frame may be selectively connected. The ladder may comprise two parts which are pivotally connected to one another, and are arranged to open out in the manner of a step ladder.

The seat may be provided with a plurality of pairs of rollers, which are mounted on rail members of the frame. Preferably, the seat has a pair of rollers at or adjacent each of its ends, and a further pair of rollers at or adjacent its centre. The or each pair of rollers may be mounted on an axle which is provided at its centre with an eccentric portion, which is secured to the seat, to inhibit rotation of the axle.

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an exercising device in accordance with the invention; and Figure 2 is a detail view of a seat thereof.

The illustrated exercising device 1 comprises a frame 2 and a support 3. The frame 2 is elongate and is of open configuration, being made of rectangular section tubular steel. The support 3 is also of open configuration, and is made of circular section tubular steel.

A seat 4 is mounted on the frame 2, for sliding movement along its length, from its lower end to its top end. To this end, the underside of the seat 4 is provided with three pair of rollers 5, one pair at each end of the seat 4, and one pair in the middle. Each pair of rollers 5 is mounted on an axle 6, which is journalled in brackets 7, one at each side of each roller 5. Each axle 6 is provided with a B-shaped crimp 8 at its centre portion, which is eccentric with respect to the axis of the axle 6. Each crimp 8 is secured to the underside of the seat 4, by means of a staple 9, or any other suitable means.

The rollers 5 engage elongate side members 10 of the frame 2, on which the rollers 5 are entrained by virtue of their shape, and also by the depending brackets 7. The provision of three pairs of rollers 5 affords an even distribution of weight, from the seat 4 to the frame 2, to assist easy sliding movement of the seat 4. The provision of the eccentric portion 8 on the axles 6 enables the axles 6 to be secured by the staples 9 against rotation, thereby reducing wear.

A pair of handle bars 11 is provided at the lower end of the frame 2. The handle bars 11 may serve either as foot rests or hand rests, depending on just how the exercising device is being used.

A further foot rest 12 is disposed towards the upper part of the frame 2, to which it is pivotally secured at 13. The foot rest 12 has a strap 14 which may be tightened around the feet when placed in the foot rest 12, to secure the feet firmly therein.

At the top end of the frame 2 there is provided a cross member 15, upon which there are mounted a pair of hooks 16. A respective pulley 17 is detachably mounted on each of the hooks 16. A respective end of a rope 18 passes around each pulley 17, and terminates in a respective handle 19. The centre of the rope is tied to an eye 20 which is mounted on the front end of the seat 4.

The support3 comprises two sections 20 and 21, which are pivotally connected together at 22. The two sections 20 and 21 may be folded flat, or as illustrated in Figure 1, they may be opened out and maintained in their open position by a pair of struts 23, each of which is pivotally mounted on the section 20, and may be selectively connected to the other section 21 by means of a bolt and butterfly nut 24.

The section 21 of the support 3 has a series of rungs 25, such that the support 3 is something like a small step ladder. The upper end of the frame 2 is adapted to engage upon the rungs 25, with the lower end of the frame 2 resting on the ground. Thus, by engaging the upper end of the frame 2 upon different rungs 25, the frame 2, and in particular the path of travel of the seat 4, will adopt a different inclination.

In use, a user sits or lies on the seat 4, and carries out an exercise by causing himself to travel upon the seat 4 repeatedly up and down the frame 2. This can be done in various different ways. For example, the user can either sit or lie on the seat 4, facing downwardly, and push himself up on the seat 4, against the handle bars 11, on which either his feet or hands may rest. Alternatively, he may pull upon the rope 18 to pull the seat 4 up the frame 2, either instead of, or as well as using the handle bars 11.

The cross member 15 of the frame 2 may be used as a foot rest, if desired.

As an alternative exercise, the user may sit on the seat 4 facing upwardly, and strap his feet into the foot rest 12. Then, an exercise may be performed by using only his legs to pull himself up on the seat 4.

This may be assisted with the rope 18, if desired.

Thus, it will be appreciated that the illustrated exercising device lends itself to many various types of exercise, for various different parts of the body. It will be appreciated that, the higher the upper end of the frame 2 is raised on the rungs 25, the more work a user will have to do in raising his weight on the seat 4. The illustrated design of the support 3 is particularly advantageous, in that it affords adjust mentofthe height of the upper end of the frame 2 in a simple but reliable manner. Moreover, for package and travelling, the support 3 may be folded flat, and as the frame 2 with its associated components is substantially flat already, this greatly facilitates packing and transport.Also, as mentioned above, the arrangement of the rollers 5 and axles 6 provides a simple but very efficient and reliable method of supporting the seat 4 upon the frame 2.

CLAIMS (Filed on 20.1.84) 1. An exercising device comprising a frame, a seat mounted on the frame for sliding movement along a path, and adjustable support means for supporting the frame on the ground at selectively variable inclinations thereto, the arrangement being such that a user may support himself on the seat, apply a force against the frame to cause the seat to slide along said path, and adjust the inclination of said path by means of said adjustable support means.

2. An exercising device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the frame is of an open configuration.

3. An exercising device according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the frame is of tubular steel.

4. An exercising device as claimed in Claim 1,2 or 3, wherein the frame is elongate.

5. An exercising device according to Claim 4, wherein the frame is provided at one or both of its ends with a hand or foot rest.

6. An exercising device according to any preceding claim, wherein rope and pulley means are attached to the seat and to the frame, to enable the user to pull upon the rope to cause the seat to slide along said path.

7. An exercising device according to any preceding claim, wherein there is provided above a lowermost position of the seat a foot rest which is pivotally mounted on the frame and is provided with means for securing the feet in position on the foot rest.

8. An exercising device according to any preceding claim, wherein the support means is provided as a separate structure to which the frame is selectively connectable.

9. An exercising device according to Claim 8, wherein the separate structure is in the form of a ladder, affording a series of rungs to any one of which the frame may be selectively connected.

10. An exercising device according to Claim 9, wherein the ladder comprises two parts which are pivotally connected to one another, and are arranged to open out in the manner of a step ladder.

11. An exercising device according to any preceding claim, wherein the seat is provided with a plurality of pairs of rollers, which are mounted on rail members of the frame.

12. An exercising device according to Claim 11, wherein the seat has a pair of rollers at or adjacent each of its ends, and a further pair of rollers at or adjacent its centre.

13. An exercising device according to Claim 11 or 12, wherein at least one of the pairs of rollers is mounted on an axle which is provided at its centre with an eccentric portion which is secured to the seat, to inhibit rotation of the axle.

14. An exercising device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. Thus, it will be appreciated that the illustrated exercising device lends itself to many various types of exercise, for various different parts of the body. It will be appreciated that, the higher the upper end of the frame 2 is raised on the rungs 25, the more work a user will have to do in raising his weight on the seat 4. The illustrated design of the support 3 is particularly advantageous, in that it affords adjust mentofthe height of the upper end of the frame 2 in a simple but reliable manner. Moreover, for package and travelling, the support 3 may be folded flat, and as the frame 2 with its associated components is substantially flat already, this greatly facilitates packing and transport.Also, as mentioned above, the arrangement of the rollers 5 and axles 6 provides a simple but very efficient and reliable method of supporting the seat 4 upon the frame 2. CLAIMS (Filed on 20.1.84)

1. An exercising device comprising a frame, a seat mounted on the frame for sliding movement along a path, and adjustable support means for supporting the frame on the ground at selectively variable inclinations thereto, the arrangement being such that a user may support himself on the seat, apply a force against the frame to cause the seat to slide along said path, and adjust the inclination of said path by means of said adjustable support means.