US181836A

US181836A - Improvement in gymnastic apparatus

Info

Publication number: US181836A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1876-09-05
Anticipated expiration: 1893-09-05

Description

UNITED STATES PATENT Orino PETER GRAHAM, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN GYMNASTIC APPARATUS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 181,836, dated September 5, 1876; application filed April 19, 1876.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, PETER GRAHAM, of Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Gymnastic Apparatus, of which the following is a specilication, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

The invention relates to an improved gymn'astic apparatus; and consists in the devices hereinafter specificallyY described, the object being to afford a means of obtaining healthful exercise.

Figure l is a side elevation of a device embodying the elements of the invention. Fig. 2 is a view of the wheel. Fig. 3 is a front view ofthe body.

In the accompanying drawings, A represents a pair of bars, properly spaced and sustained at suitable intervals by the legs or standards B. At the rear end of the bars-A is secured the box or body l), containing the seat E, and having below, and in front thereof, an elastic foot-rest, which consists of the tongued brace-board F, operating horizontally and parallel with the bars A in the guide-slots t in the cleats H, and ofthe inclined foot-rest I, secured to its rear edge. This foot-rest is provided with the sill M, and depends downward and rearward, having secured directly to it one end of the strips b, the other being secured at a suitable point nearer the rear end ofthe body, the object being to give elasticity to the foot-rest, which by these means is held in contact with the feet, allowing the limbs vto be extended when the cords are wound up,

as hereinafter described, and also pressing the limbs back to their initial positionwhen the tension of the cords is relaxed, thus communicating a heathful movement to the lower portion ofthe body.

The box D may be dispensed with, if desired, a seat, suitably raised, being employed,

and the brace-board mounted in properly-constructed standards.

Near the opposite or front end ofthe bars Athe wheelP is mounted in bearings, and has constructed on its axles L the spools t', about which is secured the cord N, having on its end an elastic medium, such as a coiled spring or a strand of india-rubber, which is lettered m, and may be connected with a handle, bar, or other suitable means of exerting tension. At regular intervals in the outer rim or periphery of the wheel are provided vthe apertures d, by means of which the weights e are removably attached to the wheel by riveting, bolting, or otherwise, to give additional 'the cord is wound up in the opposite direction, the momentum of the wheel extending the arms of the operator, and the brace-board being pushed forward when the cord is being drawn from the spools, the legs are likewise extended. A second movement of the hands toward the body reverses the motion of the wheel, and at the same time gives it more momentum.

It is obvious that the body is well exercised,

since every successive movement of the cord y will produce a corresponding extension of the arms and legs; and it is further obvious that unless the elastic medium was employed, the .operator would be forced to loosen his grasp or be dragged from the seat, but by means of the elastic material the tension is gradually Vexerted and overcome.

I claiml. In a gymuastic apparatus, the wheel P, provided with removable weights, arranged to be secured upon or adjacent to its periphery, substantially as expressed.

2. In a gymnastic apparatus, the foot-rest I, arranged to slide in the cleats H, and provided with the elastic strips b, substantially as described.

3. In a gymnastic apparatus, the combination of the seat E, foot-rest I, Wheel P, and cords N, substantially as specified..

4. Ina gymnastic apparatus, the wheel P, mounted upon an axle provided with spools or receptacles to receive the cords N, as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing improvement in gymnastic apparatus as above described, I havel hereunto set my hand this 17 th day of April, 187 6.-

PETER. GRAHAM.

Witnesses:

G. GURNEY PoULToN, J. B. ENGLIsH.