US1916883A - Rowing machine - Google Patents

Description

M1 14, 1933. A. DE v. HARNETT ROWING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Jan. 21,

July 4, 3%33 DE v. HARNETT ROWING MACHINE Filed Jan 21, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented July 4, 1933 .UNETED STATES A. DE VERE HABNETT, 0F RACINE, H ISCONSIN ROWING MACHINE Application filed January 21, 1932.

This invention appertains to exercising machines of the type generally known as rowing machines.

One of the primary objects of the present invention is the provision of an exercising machine of the rowing type, which is so constructed, that all of the muscles of the body are scientifically exercised incident to the use of the machine, the machine being of such a character as to permit the use thereof in different manners, so that the various muscles of the body will be exercised and flexed in different ways.

Another prime object of my invention is the provision of an exercising machine, embodying a frame which can be placed h0rizontally on the floor and having independent hand grips connected with independent coil springs which are adapted to be flexed by the pull on the handles, with novel foot pedals or grips, to which the opposite ends of the springs are connected.

A further salient object of my invention is the provision of a horizontally disposed supporting frame having mounted thereon, a rolling seat, with sliding pedals or foot rests likewise mounted on the frame, having connected therewith one of the ends of the exercising springs, the other ends of the springs being connected with the independent hand pulls, means being provided whereby the foot pedals or rests can be anchored against movement, so that the machine can be used sub stantially in the same manner as a conventional rowing machine, the pedals when released being movable, so that a leg action can be obtained by sliding the pedals similar to the pedalling action of a bicycle.

A further important object of my invention is the provision of means whereby the pedals or feet rests can be held in different positions by the feet of the user of the machine, so as to effectively adjust the tension of the springs against which the person using the machine pulls.

A further object of my invention is the provision of novel means for forming the rolling seat, whereby the same can be held stationary on the frame and in an adjusted position, when the machine is being used Serial No. 587,891.

with the sliding foot pedals to obtain the pedalling action, or to obtain a combination pedal action and arm pull, with a side twist body action.

A further objectof the invention is the provision of novel means for forming the feet rests or pedals themselves, whereby only the balls of the feet will be supported on the pedals, so that the arch of the foot will be left free and whereby the feet can rock on the pedals or rests, so that the ankle and feet muscles will also be effectively exercised.

A still further object of my invention is to provide an exercising machine of the above character, which will be durable and eflicient in use, one that will be simple and easy to manufacture, and one which can be placed upon the market at a. reasonable cost.

/Vith these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and formation of parts, as will be hereinafter more specifically described, claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a top plan view of the improved exercising machine, showing the foot-pedals in their locked position, parts of the'view being shown broken away to illustrate structural features;

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the improved machine, with the pedals in their locked position;

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the rollseat, illustrating the construction thereof, whereby the seat can be held in an ad justed stationary position on the frame;

Figure 4 is a longitudinal section through the improved machine;

Figure 5 is a transverse section through the machine taken on the line 55 of Figure l, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 6 is a. transverse section through the machine taken on the line 66 of Figure 4:, looking in the direction of the arrows; and,

Figure 7 is a detailed fragmentary transverse sectional view illustrating the position of the seat on the frame when the same is held stationary against sliding movement.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the letter A generally indicates the improved machine, which comprises a horizontally disposed base frame 10, that can be formed of any desired material, such as wood or light metal.

This base frame includes the spaced parallel longitudinally extending side rails 11 and the intermediate rail 12, which is equally distantly spaced from the side rails 11. The opposite ends of the rails 11 and 12 are rigidly connected by transverse end strips or rails 13 and 14. The rear end strip or rail 14 can also carry upper and lower fastening strips or plates 15 and 16, and the strips 14, 15, and 16 combine to form a partial housing for the rear pulleys 17 the purpose of which will be later set forth. The front of the frame adjacent to the front end strip or rail 13,-likewise carries a bottom plate 18. These bottom plates 16 and 18 can be provided with rubber or similar pads 19 for engaging the floor so as to prevent the marring of the floor incident to the use of the machine thereon.

The inner faces of the side rails 11 and the opposite side faces of the intermediate rail 12 are provided with longitudinally extending grooves or raceways 20. The upper faces of the side rails 11 are provided with tracks 21, which normally receive the rollers 22 of the sliding seat 23 of the machine.

The sliding seat 23 of the machine is shaped to give a form-fit and the seat is normally freely movable fromone end of the platform to the other.

In some instances, however, it is desirable with the use of my machine to provide means whereby the seat can be held in an adjusted stationary position on the frame.

This may be accomplished in different manners, but in accordance with my invention, I provide the rear rollers 22 with elongated supported axles 24, whereby the wheels can be slid laterally, so that the same can be moved ofl of the tracks 21, as shown in Figure 7 ofthe drawings. The seat directly in back of the rear rollers carry pads 25 and when the rollers are slid laterally, these pads rest on the top faces of the side rails and hold the seat against movement. Obviously, the seat can be raised and moved to different adjusted positions on the frame to suit persons of different builds.

The front plate 13 can be reinforced, if desired, by the use of a metallic sheath 26 and this front plate or strip has bolted or otherwise secured thereto, the spaced hollow uprights 27. These uprights are preferably treated, so that the same will present a pleasing and attractive appearance to the eye. Each of the hollow uprights 27 have rotatably mounted therein adjacent to their opposite ends, upper and lower pulley or guide wheels 28 and 29. By referring to Figure 4, it will be noted that the pulley or guide wheels 28 and 29 are disposed at right angles to the plane of the rear pulley wheels 17.

Trained over the pulley wheels 28, 29 and 17, are the pull cords or cables 30. The upper ends of the cables or pull cords 30 extend forwardly from the upper ends of the hollow standards or uprights 27 and these forward ends of the cables have securely anchored thereto, the independent hand-pull grips 31. As shown, the pull cords or cables 30 extend through openings 32 in the front strip or rail 13 and the cables after passing over the pulleys 28 and 29, extend rearwardly of the machine and are then trained over the pulleys 17 and brought forwardly toward the front of the machine.

The terminals of the cables are securely anchored to the rear ends of relatively heavy contractile coil springs 32. The forward ends of the coil springs 32 are anchored, as at 33, to the bottom faces of the pedals or foot-rests 34. These pedals or foot-rests '34 are of a special construction and each pedal or rest is independent of the other, as can be clearly seen by referring to Figures 1 and 5 of the drawings.

These pedals 34 can be in the nature of a casting, if so desired, and each embody a hollow frame or housing having the spaced side walls 35, which are connected by the front and lower walls 36 and 37. The side walls are connected by a relatively narrow foot plate 38 which can be serrated or otherwise treated, so as to prevent the slipping of a foot thereon. The bottom'wall 37 can be curved arcuately to form a heel seat, if so desired. Particular stress is laid on the formation of the feet rests or pedals, and in use of the machine, the balls of the feet are rested on the narrow foot plate 38. This allows the rocking and bending of the feet and ankles during the use. of the machine, so that the feet and ankle muscles will be effectively exercised. i

As clearly shown in Figure 4 of the drawings,-the arch of the foot is left free and unsupported, which will allow the arch to obtain a much needed exercise not given in walking. The front ends of the foot rests or pedals 34 carry forwardly extending bolts 40, which likewise extend through openings formed in the front plate or rail 13.

' The forward ends of the bolts are provided with heads 41 in back of which are adapted to be swung the pivoted latches 42. Obviously, when the latches are swung down in the position shown in Figures 2 and 4, the footpedals will be held against movement, but that when the pivoted latches 42 are raised,

the foot-pedals are left free, to be effected by the contractile coil springs 32. The 0pposite sides of the foot-pedals 34 carry slides 44 which are mounted within the grooves or foot rests can be raceways formed in the side and intermediate longitudinal rails 11 and 12. If desired, these slides 44 carried by the pedals or provided with anti-friction rollers.

In the use of my improved exercising machine, when it is desired to use the same as a rowing machine, the rollers 22 of the seat 23 are placed in the tracks 21 of the side rails 11 and the feet rests or pedals 3% are anchored against movement.

The person now sits on the rowing seat 23, with the balls of his feet on the rests 88. The user bends forwardly and grasps the hand grips 31. In the initial exercising movement, the seat 23 is moved forwardly and the knees of the user are raised. The hand grips 31 can now be pulled rearwardly against the tension of the springs 32 and the legs are straightened out by sliding the seat- 23 rearwardly and the person can bend back, pulling on the hand rips.

These exercising positions which simulate rowing are repeated the desired number of times. By releasing the foot-pedals 3d, the same can be held in different positions by the feet of the user, so as to adjust the position of the springs and thereby govern the pull on the springs.

When the machine is to be used to obtain a bicycle pedalling action, the rear rollers 22 of the seat are slid inwardly toward one another off of the tracks 21, so that the pads 25 will rest on the tracks. This will prevent the rolling, of the seat,and the seat can be moved to the desired position best suited. to the height of the person using the machine. Likewise, the feet rests or pedals are released, so that the same can .slide freely in the raceways 20. First one hand grip and the other can be pulled, with alternate pushing of the feet. This will exercise both the legs and arms of the user and during the alternate movement of the arms and legs, the body is given a sidewise twist which exercises the waist and the abdomen. This movement in conjunction with the bending movement forms an effective means for reducing the stomach.

From the foregoing description, it can be seen that I have provided an exceptionally simple and durable exercising machine, in which a number of exercising motions can be accomplished, so that substantially all of the muscles of the body will be flexed.

VVit-h my preferred construction in mind, certain modifications readily suggest themselves, such as having the pedals connected together for uniform movement, or having the springs connected to the hand-pulls and the seat instead of the pedals.

Changes in details may be made without departing from the spirit or the scope of this invention, but what- I claim as new is:

1. An exercising machine of the rowing ried. by the frame, hand-pulls carriedby the frame, contractile coil springs, and means connecting the opposite ends of the contractile coil springs respectively tc the handpulls and foot-pedals.

.3. An exercising machine comprising a horizontally disposed body frame, a seat mounted on the frame, foot-pedals slidably mounted on the frame for longitudinal movement, hand-pulls associated with the ame, contractile coil springs, means connecting the opposite ends of the springs respectively to the foot-pedals and hand-pulls, and means for releasably holding the foot-pedals against movement relative to the frame.

4. In an exercising machine, a body frame, a seat slidably mounted on the body frame, independently slidable foot-pedals carriel by the forward end of the frame, hand-pull carried by the frame and normally arrange" above the foot-pedals, contractile coil spr means connectin the opposite ends of the springs respectively to the hand-pulls and foot-pedals, and means for holding the seat against sliding movement on the frame.

In an exercising machine, a body frame, independent foot pedals slidably mounted on the frame for longitudinal movement, a seat normally mounted for rolling movement on the frame longitudinally thereof, handpulls arranged above the foot-pedals, each of the hand-pulls being independent of the other, contractile coil springs, means con- .necting the opposite ends of the springs repedals slidably mounted on the frame, and

means connecting the opposite ends of the coil springs with the foot-pedals, whereby the tension of the springs can be adjusted by varying the position of the foot-pedals.

7. An exercising machine comprising a horizontally disposed body frame including longitudinally extending spaced side rails and an intermediate longitudinal rail, means connecting the ends of the longitudinal rails together, the inner faces of the side rails and the opposite faces of the intermediate rail being provided with longitudinal runways, foot-pedals arranged between theside rails and intermediate rail, guides carried by the foot-pedals slidably mounted in the runways, uprights secured to the front of the frame, contractile coil springsarranged below the foot-pedals, means connecting the forward ends of the springs to the footpedals, pull cables secured to the rear ends of the springs, guide pulleys carried by the rear end of the frame over which the pull vcables are trained, guide pulleys carried by the uprights receiving the pull cables, independent hand-grips connected Witlrthe cables, and meansfor releasably locking the foot pedals in position against movement.

8. An exercising machine comprising a horizontally disposed body frame including longitudinally extending spaced side rails and an intermediate longitudinal rail, means connecting the ends of the longitudinal rails together, the inner faces of the side rails and the opposite faces of the intermediate rail being provided with longitudinal runways, foot-pedals arranged between the side rails and intermediate rail, guides carried by the foot-pedals slidably mounted in the runways, uprights secured to the front of the frame,contractile coil springs arranged below the foot-pedals, means connecting the forward ends of the springs to the footpedals, pull cables secured to the rear ends of the spring, guide pulleys carried by the rear end of the frame over which the pull cables are trained, guide pulleys carried by the uprights receiving the pull cables, independent hand-grips connected with the cables, means for releasably locking the footpedals in position against movement, said means including headed bolts carried by the foot-pedals, and pivoted latches connected with the frame for engaging said headed bolts. i

9. In an exercising machine, a horizontally disposed frame including longitudinally 9 extending side rails having tracks on their upper faces, a seat on the frame having front and rear pairs of rollers for engaging in the tracks, certain of said rollers being shiftable laterally, and pads carried by the seat for engaging the trackway when the rollers are shifted laterally to hold the seat against sliding movement.

10. In an exercising machine, a horizontally disposed body frame including longitudinal side rails having tracks on their upper faces, a sliding seat, rollers connected with the seat for normally engaging in said traclrways, seat for certain of the rollers, rollers being slidable on the elongated axles, whereby the rollers can be shifted laterally beyond the rails, and friction pads carried by the seat for engaging the tracks when the rollers are shifted laterally.

11. In an exercising machine, a pair of independent foot-pedals, each of said pedals including a hollow body having side walls and a connecting bottom wall, a foot-rest connecting the side walls together QClJZlCGIlt to the upper ends thereof for receiving the ball of the foot of the user, and a heel rest carried by the bottom wall arranged in spaced relation to the foot-rest.

elongated axles carried by the said certam In testimony that I claim the foregoing I 7 have hereunto set my hand at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of WVisconsin.

A. DE VEBE I-IARNETT.

Images