GB2341806A

GB2341806A - Rope-pulling exercise

Info

Publication number: GB2341806A
Application number: GB9922621A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Savage
Original assignee: MAKO CREATIVE Ltd
Current assignee: MAKO CREATIVE Ltd
Priority date: 1998-09-25
Filing date: 1999-09-27
Publication date: 2000-03-29
Anticipated expiration: 2019-09-27
Also published as: GB2341806B; GB9820796D0; GB9922621D0

Abstract

Exercise apparatus comprises a frame, an endless loop of rope or the like supported on the frame and to be pulled by a user of the apparatus, and means for applying a restraining force to the loop. The loop can extend in a generally horizontal direction and the exercise can simulate a tug of war.

Description

TITLE: An Exercise Apparatus 2341806 DESCRIMON This invention relates to

exercise apparatus and, m particular, to gymnasium equipment.

Gymnasium equipment takes many different forms including exercise bicycles, rowing machines and treadmills for running. In addition there are numerous machines which involved exercising against weights. Each piece of equipment in a gymnasium is generally aimed at exercising different combinations of muscles in the body but no single piece of gymnasium apparatus is specially aimed at exercising the hand grip and fore-arms in combination with the upper body muscles U triceps, biceps, abdominals and the latimus-dorsals.

An aim of the present invention is to provide gymnasium equipment which may be used to exercise some or all of the aforesaid muscles.

A traditional form of exercise is rope climbing although modern gymnasium or fitness rooms seldom have sufficiently high ceilings to install a climbing rope and hence such a rope is rarely seen in modern gymnasiums or fitness rooms.

A further aim of the present invention is to provide a piece of equipment which will enable the exercise of climbing a rope to be performed.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided exercise apparatus comprising a frame, an endless loop supported for continuous circulation and means for applying a restraining force to said loop.

2 Said loop may be formed, at least in part, by rope, chain, strapping or the like. Preferably, the loop is formed of rope.

In use, a restraining force is applied to the loop and the loop is pulled, against the restraining force exerted onto the loop, by the person exercising.

In one embodiment of the invention, at least one part of the loop is located substantially vertically and the user pulls the loop downward. The action of pulling the loop downwards corresponds to that of climbing a static rope.

Conveniently, the apparatus may further comprise a seat for a user and said seat preferably comprises a leg restraint such that, in use, the action of pulling the loop does not result in the user being lifted from their seating position. The leg restraint preferably comprises a pad under which the user positions his or her knees.

In an alternative arrangement, a substantial portion of the loop is substantially horizontally and in this arrangement the user pulls the rope in a substantially horizontal direction.

In this particular arrangement, the apparatus preferably comprises a seat and spaced therefrom a footrest. Preferably, the position of the seat with respect to the footrest is adjustable so as to accommodate different users.

In this arrangement the pulling action reproduces the action used in a 'tug of war'. Instead of the provision of a seat, the user may simply stand in the ground. Preferably, a non-slip surface is provided in which the user may strike a stance.

The loop may be supported for continuous circulation by a series of rollers, pulleys or the like.

It is preferred that the restraining force applied to the rope is adjustable so that 3 the restraining force applied to the loop can be increased or decreased to suit the user or any exercise programme being used. Hence, the apparatus can be adjusted to the fitness level/strength of the user. It is preferred that the means for applying said restraining force include an indicator so as to indicate the force applied to the loop. The indicator may simply indicate a relative force applied to the loop.

The means for applying a restraining force may take any convenient form. Hence, it is could simply comprise an adjustable mechanism for squeezing the loop. For example, the means may comprise two rollers in-between which the loop passes and the distance of separation between the rollers is adjustable so to adjust the force applied to the loop. Also, said means may comprises a bar at the end of a screw thread and which may be forced against another member with the loop located therebetween.

Alternatively, the loop may have a static resistance applied thereto. For example the loop, may pass through a series of rollers which have interchangeable gearing in order to vary the force necessary to overcome the resistance force. Resistance may be applied by connecting the loop to rotatable blades to provide air resistance or the blades may be in a water tank to provide water resistance.

In another preferred embodiment resistance may be applied by means of friction, such as by passing a portion of the loop around a bar or the like.

The apparatus may comprise means for measuring the length of the loop pulled by a user so as to give an indication of the 'height climbed'. Said measuring means may comprise a free running wheel over which the loop passes and means for measuring the number of revolutions of the wheel thereby enabling the calculation of 4 the length of loop pulled ie that which passes over the wheel.

Embodiments of the present invention win now be described, by way of example only, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention; and Figure 2 is a front view of the embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 shows a first restraining force applying means for use in apparatus according to the invention; Figure 5 shows a second restraining force applying means for use in apparatus according to the invention; and Figure 6 shows a third restraining force applying means for use in apparatus according to the invention; Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings, exercise apparatus 10 comprises a vertical frame 12 supporting two pairs of top pulleys 14 and two pairs of bottom pulleys 16. A continuous loop of rope 18 passes through each pair of pulleys 14, 16. Attached to the foot of the frame 12 is a seat 20 and a height adjustable padded knee restraint 22, whereby a user of the apparatus can sit on the seat and grip the rope.

At about a mid-height, the frame 12 has a means 24 for applying a restraining force to the rope, whereby the effort required to pun the rope downwards can be varied. The means 24 comprises a fixed roller 26 and a movable roller 28. The movable roller 28 is mounted in a carriage 30 (see Figure 4) which is slidable towards and away from the fixed roller 26 in order to increase or decrease the spacing of the rollers and hence the restraining force applied to the rope. The carriage 30 has a handle 32 extending therefrom towards the user of the apparatus for moving the carriage and hence the roller 28 to a desired position relative to the fixed roller 26. The handle 32 is a screw threaded bar rotatably attached to the carriage and which passes through a threaded hole of frame member 34. Rotation of the handle moves the carriage.

In use, the user of the apparatus sits on the seat 20 with his or her knees under the knee restraint 22 and adjusts the force applied to the rope using the handle 32. Then exercise is carried out by pulling down on the rope hand over hand, with both hands together or with one hand only, resulting in exercise for arms, chest and stomach muscles.

Turning to Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings, exercise apparatus 50 comprises a horizontal frame 52 having a platform 54 supported between spaced vertical end frames 56. The platform 54 has two further floor contacting supports 58 intermediate its ends.

Mounted on the platform 54 are a seat 60 and a footrest 62. The seat 60 has stem 64 movable longitudinally in a slot 66 of the platform to adjust the relative spacing of the seat and the footrest to suit the user of the apparatus.

Each end fi-ame 56 has a pair of spaced pulleys 68, 70 and an endless loop of rope 72 passes around the pulleys. Near the front of the platform a restraining force applying system 74 is mounted through which the rope 72 also passes. The system 74 includes means for adjusting the restraining force applied to the rope and a dial 76 6 is provided to indicate the force being applied.

The means for applying a restraining force can be of the type already described with reference to Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings or can be some other means, such as shown in Figure 5 in which the rope passes between a pair of pulleys 80, 82, one of which is fixed and the other is movable to adjust the spacing between them. Adjustment is by means of an arm 84 connected to axle 86 of the pulley 82, which arm can be moved along a slot 88 in a frame component 90. The arm has a screw threaded knob at its free end, which can be tightened up against the frame component to hold the pulley 82 in at a desired spacing from the fixed pulley 80. The system shown in Figure 5 can also be used with the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings.

In use, the user of the apparatus of Figure 3 of the drawings sits on the seat 60 with his or her feet on the footrest 62 and adjusts the position of the seat relative to the footrest for comfort. The restraining force applied to the rope is then adjusted as desired. The user then pulls on the rope hand over hand, with both hands together or with one hand resulting in exercise for arm, chest and stomach muscles.

Finally, in Figure 5 a simple restraining force applying system for a rope used in an apparatus of the invention, is shown. In this system a rope 90 is passed around a bar 92, so that friction created by rubbing contact of the rope against the bar will apply a restraining force. The bar 92 may be movable to increase or decrease the overall tension on the rope.

It will be appreciated that the type of restraining force applying system for the rope or other endless loop of material used in apparatus according to the invention 7 may be varied for various reasons, such as convenience of positioning for a particular apparatus and a desirable range of adjustment.

Claims

8 CLAIMS

1. Exercise apparatus comprising a frame, an endless loop supported on the frame for continuous circulation of means for applying a restraining force to said loop. 2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the loop is formed of rope. 3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one part in the loop is arranged to be substantially vertical for a climbing frame to be erected thereon. 4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, further comprising a seat. 5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, ftirther comprising a leg restraint. 6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the leg restraint comprises a pad supported on the frame, under which a user of the apparatus can position his or her knees. 7. Apparatus as claimed in claim I or 2, wherein a substantial portion of the loop is substantially horizontal. 8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a seat and a footrest spaced therefrom. 9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the spacing of the seat from the footrest is adjustable. 10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, fin-ther comprising a non-slip surface area on which the user may stand. 11. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the loop is supported by a series of rollers or pulleys.

9 12. Apparatus as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 11, having means for varying the restraining force on the loop. 13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the means for applying the restraining force includes an indicator of the force appliecL 14. Apparatus as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 13, wherein the means for applying a restraining force comprises an adjustable mechanism for squeezing the loop. 15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 14 comprising a pair of adjustable. spaced rollers for applying the restraining force. 16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 14 comprising a bar at the end of a screw thread and another member towards which the bar is urged to apply the restraining force to the loop between the bar and said other member. 17. Apparatus as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 13, wherein the restraining force is applied by means of a series of rollers through which the loop passes, the rollers having interchangeable gearing. 18. Apparatus as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 13 wherein the loop is connected to rotatable blades to provide restraining resistance. 19. Apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein the blades are in a water tank. 20. Apparatus as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 11, wherein the restraining force is applied by means of ffiction. 21. Apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein said resistance is provided by passing the loop over a bar.

22. Apparatus as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 21, further comprising means for measuring the length of loop pulled by the user.

Z 23. Apparatus as claimed in claim 22, wherein the measuring means includes a wheel rotated by the loop and means for measuring the revolutions of the wheel.

Z5 24. Exercise apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 or Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.