GB2173115A

GB2173115A - Multi-purpose physical exercise apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2173115A
Application number: GB08508768A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Gillard
Original assignee: TERRY OF REDDITCH Ltd
Current assignee: TERRY OF REDDITCH Ltd
Priority date: 1985-04-03
Filing date: 1985-04-03
Publication date: 1986-10-08
Also published as: GB8508768D0

Abstract

A multi-purpose exercise machine in the "rowing machine" mode has a seat 14 slidable along a track 12 and levers 22 movable against resistance elements 24. The elements are pivoted at 26 at the foot of a mast, and alternative pivot points are provided at 20 at the top of the mast which, in conjunction with various alternative seat or user-support arrangements enables a wider range of exercises to be carried out. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Physical exercise apparatus This invention relates to physical exercise apparatus.

EP 0095226 proposes an apparatus for use as a rowing machine (Figure 1) which can be turned through 90 so that the seat becomes a backrest and an additional seat is provided extending at right angles to the backrest, for other exercises to be undertaken.

The object of the present invention is to provide a simpler apparatus which does not have to be physically displaced from one position to another but which enables a wide range of exercises to be undertaken.

In accordance with the invention, multi-purpose exercise apparatus comprises a frame, a user support extending generally parallel to the frame, a lever handle to the frame, alternative mounting pivots on the frame allowing said handle to be located in different positions for different exercises, and an extensible resistance element connected at one end to the frame and at the other end to said handle.

As is well known in the art, the extensible resistance element can be a spring, an elastic cord, or preferably is in the form of a hydraulic piston and cylinder unit, arranged so that as the piston is displaced, oil flows from one side of the piston to the other through a restricted orifice which provides the resistance.

Preferably the lever, its pivotal mountings, and the resistance element, are all duplicated so that similar exercises can be undertaken using two arms or two legs according to the nature of the exercise.

The invention is more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic side elevation of an apparatus according to the invention in the first position for use; Figure 2 is a view of the same apparatus modified for a different range of exercises; and Figure 3 is a further view of the same apparatus modified for use with yet further exercises, Figures 4-7 are views showing further modifications.

Referring first to Figure 1, the apparatus comprises a simple frame 10 arranged to rest on the floor. Associated with the frame, and conveniently connected to it, is a second but detachable frame 12 providing a track mounting a seat 14 which can slide back and forth in the direction of the arrows A.

The apparatus may provided with footrests 16 or in a simpler version can be arranged to be used against a wall with the mast 18 upstanding from the frame 10 located against the wall. The wall can then provide a reaction surface for the user's feet when performing a rowing exercise.

Both the frame 10 and the mast 18 are provided with lugs 20 providing a pivotal mounting for a lever handle 22 connected to the resistance element 24 which is in turn pivotally carried on the bracket 26 at the junction of the mast and the frame.

In this position a user can perform a rowing exercise when seated on the seat 14 with feet against the rest 16 and hands grasping the inturned end parts of the handles 22 which are directed towards one another.

In Figure 2, the track and seat have been detached and the simple flat platform 28 located on the same frame, all of the parts being similarly arranged, and in this version, the apparatus is convenient for pull-over and parallel pull-over exercises where the user lies relatively flat on the board.

In Figure 3, the arrangement is varied from the Figure 2 version by transferring the handles to the upper lugs and the apparatus can then be used for shoulder press exercises and also those exercises known as curls, squats, bench press and shoulder exercises generally.

Figure 4 shows a more sophisticated version, suitable for use in more sophisticated exercises such as those known as straight leg pull-down, side leg pull-down, lateral pulls and leg pull-down on back. It will be seen that the frame is supplemented by a frame extension 40, a floor or skirting board clamp 42 is used to hold the end of the frame down, an additional spring or like element 44 is used to return the handle, and the mast is provided with an extension 46 and also with guide pulleys 48, 50. In Figure 4 a cord 52 extends over the guide pulley 50 and is used to displace the spring units in carrying out the exercise.

In Figure 5, the arrangement of Figure 4 is modified using both pulleys. This may be used for the exercise known as rear leg raise, side leg raise, seated row exercise, and fore hand sports pull.

In Figure 6 the support bench 28 is carried in a raised position and an additional pulley 53 is used, and this makes the apparatus suitable for the exercises known as double leg extension, two arm curl and double leg curl. A further modification to the arrangment shown in Figure 5 is shown in Figure 7 in which a support board 70 is carried by the mast and upon which the user may lie when carrying out a further range of exercises.

It will be noted that in all cases the frame 10 remains flat on the floor. An additional advantage of the illustrated embodiments is that they can be packed particularly flat for ease of transport and storage.

1. A multi-purpose exercise apparatus comprising a frame, a user support extending generally parallel to the frame, lever handle pivoted to the frame, alternative mounting pivots on the frame allowing said handle to be located in different positions for differdnt exercises, and an extensible resistance element connected at one end to the frame and at the other end to said handle.

2. A machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lever handle, mounting pivots for the same, and extensible resistance element are all dupiicated.

3. A machine as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Physical exercise apparatus This invention relates to physical exercise apparatus. EP 0095226 proposes an apparatus for use as a rowing machine (Figure 1) which can be turned through 90 so that the seat becomes a backrest and an additional seat is provided extending at right angles to the backrest, for other exercises to be undertaken. The object of the present invention is to provide a simpler apparatus which does not have to be physically displaced from one position to another but which enables a wide range of exercises to be undertaken. In accordance with the invention, multi-purpose exercise apparatus comprises a frame, a user support extending generally parallel to the frame, a lever handle to the frame, alternative mounting pivots on the frame allowing said handle to be located in different positions for different exercises, and an extensible resistance element connected at one end to the frame and at the other end to said handle. As is well known in the art, the extensible resistance element can be a spring, an elastic cord, or preferably is in the form of a hydraulic piston and cylinder unit, arranged so that as the piston is displaced, oil flows from one side of the piston to the other through a restricted orifice which provides the resistance. Preferably the lever, its pivotal mountings, and the resistance element, are all duplicated so that similar exercises can be undertaken using two arms or two legs according to the nature of the exercise. The invention is more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic side elevation of an apparatus according to the invention in the first position for use; Figure 2 is a view of the same apparatus modified for a different range of exercises; and Figure 3 is a further view of the same apparatus modified for use with yet further exercises, Figures 4-7 are views showing further modifications. Referring first to Figure 1, the apparatus comprises a simple frame 10 arranged to rest on the floor. Associated with the frame, and conveniently connected to it, is a second but detachable frame 12 providing a track mounting a seat 14 which can slide back and forth in the direction of the arrows A. The apparatus may provided with footrests 16 or in a simpler version can be arranged to be used against a wall with the mast 18 upstanding from the frame 10 located against the wall. The wall can then provide a reaction surface for the user's feet when performing a rowing exercise. Both the frame 10 and the mast 18 are provided with lugs 20 providing a pivotal mounting for a lever handle 22 connected to the resistance element 24 which is in turn pivotally carried on the bracket 26 at the junction of the mast and the frame. In this position a user can perform a rowing exercise when seated on the seat 14 with feet against the rest 16 and hands grasping the inturned end parts of the handles 22 which are directed towards one another. In Figure 2, the track and seat have been detached and the simple flat platform 28 located on the same frame, all of the parts being similarly arranged, and in this version, the apparatus is convenient for pull-over and parallel pull-over exercises where the user lies relatively flat on the board. In Figure 3, the arrangement is varied from the Figure 2 version by transferring the handles to the upper lugs and the apparatus can then be used for shoulder press exercises and also those exercises known as curls, squats, bench press and shoulder exercises generally. Figure 4 shows a more sophisticated version, suitable for use in more sophisticated exercises such as those known as straight leg pull-down, side leg pull-down, lateral pulls and leg pull-down on back. It will be seen that the frame is supplemented by a frame extension 40, a floor or skirting board clamp 42 is used to hold the end of the frame down, an additional spring or like element 44 is used to return the handle, and the mast is provided with an extension 46 and also with guide pulleys 48, 50. In Figure 4 a cord 52 extends over the guide pulley 50 and is used to displace the spring units in carrying out the exercise. In Figure 5, the arrangement of Figure 4 is modified using both pulleys. This may be used for the exercise known as rear leg raise, side leg raise, seated row exercise, and fore hand sports pull. In Figure 6 the support bench 28 is carried in a raised position and an additional pulley 53 is used, and this makes the apparatus suitable for the exercises known as double leg extension, two arm curl and double leg curl. A further modification to the arrangment shown in Figure 5 is shown in Figure 7 in which a support board 70 is carried by the mast and upon which the user may lie when carrying out a further range of exercises. It will be noted that in all cases the frame 10 remains flat on the floor. An additional advantage of the illustrated embodiments is that they can be packed particularly flat for ease of transport and storage. CLAIMS

3. A machine as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein a second and detachable frame provides a track and the user support is a seat slidable on the track.

4. A machine as claimed in any of claims 1 - 3 wherein the frame includes a mast upstanding from the frame, and the mast provides one(S) of the- alternative mounting pivots for the lever handle (S).

5. A machine as claimed in claim 4 wherein a frame extension is provided and one or more pulleys are provided on the mast so that a cord may be connected to the lever handle and extend via the pulley (S) to the opposite side of the mast.

6. A machine substantially as described with reference to any of Figures 1 - 6 of the accompanying drawings.