US1456031A

US1456031A - Physical-culture apparatus

Info

Publication number: US1456031A
Application number: US498352A
Authority: US
Inventors: Molby Walter David
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1921-09-03
Filing date: 1921-09-03
Publication date: 1923-05-22
Anticipated expiration: 1940-05-22

Description

May 22, 1923.

W. D. MOLBY PHYSICAL CULTURE APPARATUS 2 sheets-sheet 1 Filed Sent. 3. 1921 May 22, 1923.

W. D. MOLBY PHYSICAL CULTURE APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed sem. 3. 1921 WJZMOZ'? www M minima:

Patented May 22, i923..

WALTER nAvi'D r/roLBY, or BALDWIN CITY., KANSAS,

PHYSICAL-CULTURE ArrAitAtrUs.l

Application filed September 3, 1921. SerialiNo. 498,852.

To @ZZ whomv 2f 'may concern.'

Be it known that l, lWALTER DAviD MOLBY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Baldwin City, in the county of Douglas and State of Kansas, have invented certain newA and useful improvementsl in Physical-Culture Apparatus; and I dohereby declarefthe following to be a full, clear, and exactl de- 'scription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled inthe art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The presentinventionrelates to exercising or f physical-culture apparatus.

object of the present invention is to )rovide an au )aratus of this character adapted for individual use and which is adapted to place'thebody under tension from head to foot, and which is designed to support the body under tension of its own weight. 1 y

The invention further aims at the provision of'an apparatus of this character which is relatively light in weight,vwhich is of knock down construction, and which is adjustableaccording to the heightof personsusing the apparatus. K y

A. further object is to provide an apparatus of this character with a resilient frame having spaced apart uprights and independ` ent devices for attachment to the head and feet for supporting the body under tension of its own weight and to permit of the yielding of the frame incident to vibration of the body and to thus absorb shock which is detrimentalY and injurious.

The invention has for a still further object, the provision ofaphysical-culture apparatus of this type wherein provision is made for easing up tension on the neck and head of the user when desired and for completelysupporting the body at times of rest,

the apparatus permitting of various contor-r tions. revolutions and swinging of the body in taking exercises when suspended in the apparatus.

With the foregoing and other objectsin view. the invention will be more fully ldescribed hereinafter, and will be more particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto.

In the'drawings, whereinlike symbols' re- -fer to-lilre or corresponding paritsthroughout :the `several views, .l

Fig. 1'is'a perspective view of a physical'- culture apparatus constructed laccording to the present invention andV illustrating a person suspended therein;

Fig 21s a top plan view of the saine with the person removed;

Fig. 3 is a view-similarIu to Fig. 1, showing f the body support detached;

Fig. 8 is a top plan view, partly.V in seotion, of the chinstrap 'or support; l

Fig.v 9 is a transverse section taken through the same on the linev 9--9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary top plan view of the adjustable footrbar, showing the sup(- porting member therefor in dotted lines; and,

Fig. 11 ,is a transversel section taken through thev same.l Y f Referring to the drawings by numeral@I the apparatus comprises a 'resilientfframe yformed 'of' a pair'of' bow sections 15 and 16" which are arranged with straight intermediate portions adapted to. rest up'on the'ground and with curved orA rounded upstandin'g ends providing resilient standards adapted to flex toward and from each otheras will hereinafter be pointed out. of the bows 15 and 16 are provided with complemental bearing headsv 17l forming hinge sections and the heads'll ateach end ofV the'frame are adapted to fit one against the other' and are heldin such relation by hinge bolt 18 which is clamped co-axially through the sections 17 by-.a Vnut 19 `or. the like. The bolts 18 in the opposite endsi of theframe are inca-axial alignment, or substantially so, and the inner. ends -of the. bolts are arched downwardly to form 'hooks l20 for pivotally supporting the head and foot sections of the apparatus.`

Each of the bows 15 and 16 isppreferably formed in three sections, a main doorl sec* tion which is substantiallystraight, and opposite end curved seotions'vl-L and 16..i which are' preferably sookete'd upon their resp'ieotive floor sections '15 and 16." This construc- 'lhe free endsvtion admits of the quick'iknocking down of these sections for transportation-fand the` socketslprovidemeans for .holding they bofwi sections` together .under weight of the occu-y pant or user of the devicei Thehead section comprises ayoke 21 of Ufshape curved to the configuration of the Mounted upon the yokeu21-is` a flexible head' engage over the adjacent hook 'i`or pivotally@suspending;v the yoke-21 on theghook.

frame ,23' ott-suitabley fabric meshing,` which forms a pocket to receivejthe back Aof the.

headY forsuppo'rting it iin' the yoke. 21. The

free ends of the yoke-21 are yturned out-" -wardly awa-y from each-other to form handies 24e4 extending fromthe sides of the head section and which are adapted vto be grasped by theluser-forsupporting the bodyv and relieving the head and neck from tension. Y

yllhe'head. isvheld in the pocket 23 by a in Figsfdand 9, comprises astra-p portion ranged to swing inwardly andvdownwardly` pivotally connected at its free endstas at26, t0 lthe opposite sides of the yoke 21, and arvto'the'open end of *they yoke to engage beneath the chin forsupporting the head'.l The strap `25 .is preferably nrovidedfinits 'closed end with a pneumatic cushion 270i sufli'cient y length to t engage-,beneath the chin and against the sidescf the `jaw boneto prevent `tlle `directcontact of the' strap125 withthe s in.

,-:The foot attaching section comprises .a chain 28,A orl other suitable. flexible device which may be connected by a swivel eye 29 detachablyto the other hook 20 of the frame.

`The ehain28 presents a'longitudinalirow of rings or loops--for'adjustably receiving there-f in a hoo k ,30 whichsmay beadjustedv in' various positions with respect toits distance 'from the said hook 20. Thehook 30 is oscilr.la'torily connected upon al cross arm 31 which ext-ends transverselyoi the chain 28- and bef yonjd the opposite sides thereof. Thel `hook 1 30 maybe connectedy in any suitable manner tothej cross arm 31 which will permit the hook 30 to oscillate 'withthe rocking motion of the ieetwhile lthe entirel device .is revolve ling, and so that the hook'130 may be quickly engaged'fandvreleased i relatively to the con* necting chain 28.

cro'ss'bar'Blcari-ies upon its opposite ends stocks 32 adapted to receive and sup f of-xthe side pieces 32 and beingV arched. up#

port the feet of the user 'for suspendingfthe lower end of tliebody by the/feet Asbest shown in Figs. 6 and A7, each foot stock com` .prisesravpair of sidenmembersin the form of ystrapswhich` are ,stitched'together :at theirE lower'endsfalonga line'of stitching 33, the

linefoi" stitching-33 extendingtransversely for the bottom of the foot and for snugly andl comfortably engaging;y the foot The -upper ends of the side members 32 are'preferably overturned'. on crease lines extending substantially 450 to v'form later'- ally projecting lugs 34e which have apertures 35y therein through which theaend portions 36 of .the cross bar 31 pivotally connect. A locking strap 37 is attached toone of the side members 32 and is of sufficient length to extend over the spaced upper ends, of the 'p side membersand is adapted to be secured.v in

positionby suitable fasteners 38 or the like` thus flexible and conform readilyy to the feet and'A thus provide a relativelycomfortable foot, hold which .is also -very secure.

any suitable angle from the body portionof the halter 32 for the purpose of gripping the foot or ankle and lfor securely maintaining the footin thehalter. f

lf desired, the` apparatus may be pro- Of t course the--securing-strap 37f1nay extend at chin strap 25 which, as shown particularly vided with a body supportor rest 39 in the form of ahainmock or other suitable flexible sheet. This support `,3,9 is gathered at the head: end and provided with abinding strap iO'fcontaining/loops l1 which may be threaded over the handles 24h` to support the head endof the'hamm'ock 39 upon the yoke 21. The hammock 39 is provided `withparm loops i2 at opposite edges'v and through which, as shown in Fig. 1, thearmsvof the .user lmaybeinserted for supporting the bodyf y toa more or less extent byexerting down-f y ward pressure upon the-loops 42. The foot end of the `hammock 39 is provided at oppol site edges with :longitudinal extensions a5 which are `secured at their' free ends toa bow 16 so vas-tosupport'the:footend of the hammock. The loo-ps 42 at'opposite sides of thehammock or support 39 are so arranged, l

as shown inFigs. 1 and 2, that the forearms y l maybe inserted through the loops with the" latter'engaging the forearms a short.disA

tance'belowv the elbows, in such position thel y forearms may befswung downwardly; Vor

away .fromvv the shouldersv at. substantially l right'angles to draw upon thefloops 42 and' Vthus support the .body from. the hammock .120,v i

39 and relievethe neck and head from all strain. This is'well known to 'bathe most' comfortable and efficient means ofrelieving the body of strain and supporting the'body without placing the muscles under undue.

tension. l

The centra-l portion 49 of the hammock body is reduced in width and extends beneath the chain 28 and may be attached to the bow i6 as shown. To remove the lhammock support 39 from `the apparatus; it yis only necessary to slip the hook 47 from the swivel -eye 29 and `to remove the loops el from the handles 2l. :lis shown in Fig. 3, the support 39 is removed and the chain 28 is shown as beingree at its end and used only vlor cr 1ryingthe footengaging stocks The side rmembers or sections l5 and 16 of the trame are held from spreading apart beyond a pre-determined distance by flexible straps 50 which are conveniently secured at preferably opposite ends of the trame for bracing the bows against separation.

In use, the person desiring to use the apparatus places feet inthe stocks 32 and securest-he retaining straps v3'? over the vfeet tov securely hold -the feet in the stocks. The head is placed in theyoke 2l-and in a position to rest in the support or pocket 23. The chin strap 25'is now swung down over the tace and engaged beneath the chin for holding y'the head in the head rest. During the operation and use `of the device, the operator may grasp the handles 24 and elevate the upper end of the body upon the handles so as to relieve the head and neck from such strain-as is imposed-on them incident to supporting the body.

When the hammock is used, as shown in l and 2, the body rest entirely in the hammock 'during the operation of attaching ones Seli" in the frame and may also be used for supporting` the body in a state of rest when the user is fatigued. It is apparent that with the device shown in Figs. l and 2, the body may be swung, revolved or twisted in various Ways to obtain the desired result oi bringing into play various normally little used muscles and also for stretching the body and performing other operations of exercise.

It is also apparent from F ig. 3 that when the hammock or support 39 is removed, the body has greater freedom. of action and the movements of the body may be more easily observed. The hammock or support 39 is divided into various strips or sections 45 and 49 to provide ample yroom through which the feet and legs may project for fastening the feet in the stocks and for performing the various exercises.

lt is apparent that the apparatus is very light in weight, is resilient in so iar that the uprights at the ends of the 'frame are tree to flex toward and trom each other, and the device may be quickly and easily collapsed into small space and packed out of the way or may easily be transported.

It is obvious that various changes and modications may be made in the details of construction and design oi"- the above specifically described embodiment ot this invention without departing 'from the spirit thereof, such changes and modilications being restricted only by the scope of the following claims:

lWhat is claimed is:

l. In `physical culture apparatus, a trame having ,resilient vspaced upright end portions, and freely pivoted means carried by said end portions lfor engaging the opposite extremities ol the body ot the yoperator tor suspending his body between said upright portions and permitting the free twisting bending and turning of the body by the exercising contortions ot the operator.

2. In physical culture apparatus, a 'pair of upright spaced supports, a :head engaging member freely pivoted on one support, a foot engaging member, and means adjustably and freely pivotally connecting the vfoot engaging member to the 'other support..

whereby lto 4adapt said apparatus to operators of different lengths'and permit the tree turning and twisting ot the operatorwhen suspended in the supports.

3. In physical culture apparatus-,fa 4trame having resilient spaced apart supports, a head engaging member freely pivoted onio'ne support, a foot engaging member adjust-ably mounted upon the other Vsupport and arranged tor free pivotal movement thereon,

said members being adapted v-to engage the opposite extremities `of the `body oit the operator for suspending the-body under tension of the weight of the operator, and a rest suspended between said head and footengaging members to receive the body of the operator and support the same when relieved of tension from said members.

t. In physical culture apparatus, a twopartbow frame, means for hingedly connecting adjacent ends of the two-parts of the frame together, a head section swivelly connected to one end of the frame, and having handles thereon for relieving the head of the tension of the body, a foot section swivelly connected to the other end of the trame, and a support detachably connected to said head and toot sections and having arm engaging straps, whereby said support may be used with and independently of said head and foot sections for supporting the weight ol' the body.

5. In physical culture apparatus, a frame having spaced upstanding supports, a head rest swivelled upon one of the supports and having a pocket portion adapted to receive the back of the head therein, a chin strap pivoted upon the head rest and arranged to swing down over the face and beneath the chain to hold the head in the rest and adapted to be swung upwardly tov 'free the head, foot engaging means mounted on the other upright of the frame,- and handles connected to the head rest for supporting the weight of the body and on the head and neck.

6, ln physical culture apparatus, a frame having space. supports, a head section `on relieving strain one support, a chain connected to the other foot engaging memberbeing adapted to sus-y pend the body of the operator between thel supports and a detachable hammock mounted at opposite ends upon the head rest and foot engaging member.

8. In physical culture apparatus, a collapsible frame, detachable foot and head eni gaging sections carried by the frame, said y ing and a detachable hammock support carried' head engagingsection having hand engagmeans for relieving the head ofstrain,

inthe frame for engaging beneath the body of the operatorand having arm engaging means for: relieving the body of its weight.

9, In physical cultureapparatuga -frame having spaced supports, a head rest mounted v on one support, a cross bar radjustably mounted on the other supportfor movement toward and fromthe head rest, and a pair of foot stocks pivoted uponk the cross bar forv clamping engagement with the feet whereby totsuspend the body ofthe operator i between said bar and the head rest. 10.` In physicalculture apparatus, a frame having spaced supports, a head portion mounted on one support, afoot engaging portion on. the other support, said foo-t engagingpo'rtion comprising a chain, across barA adjustably mounted on the chain for movement toward and from the head enga@- ing portion, and a pair of stocks pivotalll`r mounted upon the opposite ends of' the cross bar and adaptedrto engage the feet for susit f pending the body of vthe voperator between the cross bar'and the head engaging portion.

1l. In physical culture apparatus, a frame having spaced upri ht's, head and foot sections mounted -int e uprights adapted to respectively engage the head and the feet, a

hammock suspended between said head and foot sections adapted to support the body at times, anda pair of loops carried upon the opposite edges of Vsaid hammock 'near thesaid head section for receiving theforearms therethrough, lsaid loops extending away romsaid head section whereby swingin@ of the forearms downwardly `at substantiablly right angles to the `longitudinal a'Xis.

of the device is adapted to supportithe body inthe hammock kand relieve the head and neck from strain'.

y WALTER DAVID Monnr`