US1983911A - Exercising apparatus - Google Patents

Description

19341- 1 v. c. LUPPERT I 1,983,911

EXERC I S ING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 10, 1951 s Sheets-Sheet 1 DecQll, 1934. v Q LUPPERT 1,983,911

EXERC I S ING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 10, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ill Dec. 11, 1934. v. c. LUPPERT HXERCISING APPARATUS I Filed Dec. 10, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Dec. 11, 1934 1,933,,iill

smear orgies EXEROISING APPARATUS Valentine C. Luppert, Williamsport, Pa.

Application. December 10, 1931, Serial No. 580,138

14 Claims.

This inventionrelatesto improvements in exercising machines and more especially to a novel exercising device of the type including spring retracted winding rollers. 7

One of the objects of the invention; is to provide a machine of this type, including a pair of tapes which are woundbyspring action on wheels or pull ys, the construction being such that either tape may be-unwound independently of the other, or both; tapes may beunwound and wound simultaneously.

Another object is to, furnish such anmachine in which the springs that cooperate with the tape pulleys may be simultaneously adjusted for properly tensioning the same; so that the machine may be used by a ,child having little strength, or by amancf great strength.

A still further object is toprovide an apparatus of this character, wherein the springs and tape rollers are of unitary construction to permit the unit to be mounted on a wall, floor,.

or on a base which may form an exercising machine of the rowing-type.

Another object of the invention is to provide a spring unit for exercising machines, in which spring means may be employed incombination with each tape roller, each springof said-means having coils of substantially the same lengthas the shaft on which they are mounted.

A still further object is to provide an exercising machine of the rowing'type comprising improved means for retainingthe seat onthe I tracks and for preventing the tracks from spreading or moving toward one another.

With the foregoing objects outlined and with other objects in View which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in the novel features hereinafter described in detail, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and more particularly pointed out, in the appended claims.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the entire machine partly in horizontal section.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional, View on the linev 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a. transverse vertical sectional view of a detail on the line 44 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the spring assemblyor unit of the ma chine, taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 6 is avertical sectional, view of a detail on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view on a reduced scale, of the shell or cover of the spring assembly.

Fig. 8 is an end view of one of the tape rollers or pulleys.

Fig. 9 is an edge view of the same.

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 5, but showing a modification inwhich a single tape and roller only areused.

Fig. 11 isa perspective view of a modified form of cover-or casing for the spring unit.

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 5 of a modification.

Fig=13 is a view similar to Fig. 5, of a further modification.

Referring to the drawings, 15 designates one of my improved exercising machine spring units orassemblies. As best shown in Figs. 1, 3, 5 to- 9 inclusiva'such unit comprises a pair of circular-end plates 16 provided with oppositely directed armsl'l that may be detachably connected to a wall, floor or exercising machine base. As illustrated inv said figures, these end plates seatin semi-circular recesses 18 in the side bars 19 of abase, and the arms 17 are rigidly secured to said base by any suitable means which will-permit detachment of theunit from the base. For example, the base may be provided with threaded shanks 20 to receive wing nuts 21 which clamp thearms to'the'forward ends 01" the sidebars of thebase.

A cylindrical shell or cover 22 for the unit has its ends seated in circular grooves 23 in the end plates, and in this way thecover is vrigidly fastened to the end plates. Thelatter provides bearings 24 for a rotatable shaft 25 which has threaded endsprotruding through the end plates and provided with nuts 26. One end portion of the shaft is of angular formation as shown at 27, and this portion of the shaft is rigidly secured-bybne of the nuts to a crank 28 having a handle 29. The handle accommodates a spring-pressed plunger or latch 30 having a knob 31- at its outer end. The end of the plunger nearest the adjacent end plate forms a pin which may enter anyone of a series of cavities 32 which extend in a circular series around one face of one of the end plates.

Washers 33 are provided between the nuts and the end plates to prevent the nuts from accidentally unscrewing when the shaft is turned. Pulleys 34 are rotatably mounted on the shaft adjacent tothe end plates, and each pulley has a rim 35, alongitudinal slot 36, and a circular internal cavity 37. The slot of the pulley, among. other things, permits the anchor 38. of

a Wound tape 39 to be arranged within the cavity 37 while the tape itself extends through the slot, as best shown at 40 in Fig. 6. The opposite end of each tape is provided with a handle 41 as shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

The cavity of each roller receives one end of an outer coil spring 42, one extremity of which extends into the slot as shown at 43 for anchor ing this end of the spring to the pulley. The opposite end of the spring is anchored as shown at 44.- in the peripheral slot 45 of a collar 46 which is rotatably mounted on the shaft. A Washer 47 arranged between these collars permits either one of the same to rotate independent of the other.

For the purpose of preventing damaging or distortion of the spring 42 when the tape is unwound and the spring is wound, a stop tube 18 is arranged within the spring and has its ends seated respectively upon the bosses 49 and 50 of the collar and pulley.

In order to obtain maximum spring action, a second spring 51 is arranged within the tube and has one of its ends anchored to the collar as shown at 52, and its other end anchored to the fixed collar 5301, as shown at 53. An inner tube 54 prevents distortion of the inner spring.

As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the cover or casing 22 is notched at 55 to allow the tapes to be wound and unwound, and the springs arranged at one side of the washer 47 are right hand, and the springs arranged at the left are left hand. However, when the shaft 25 is turned by the handle 29, all of said springs may be simultaneously tensioned. Of course, if the device is to be used by a child, slight tension only is used, and as the strength of the individual builds up, greater tension can be placed on the springs by operating the handle 29 and placing the plunger pin in the proper hole of the end plate.

Regardless of whether such unit is mounted on a wall, ceiling, floor or other suitable supporting surface, it will be understood that when a pull is exerted on either one of the handles 41 and the tape 39 is unwound, its pulley 34 will act to wind the outer spring 42, and said spring in turn will rotate the collar 46 and cause winding of the inner spring 51, as the end 53 of the latter is prevented from turning by the fixed collar 53a which is rigidly secured to the shaft. Of course, When pull on the handle 41 is diminished, the spring tends to unwind and the tape is rewound on its pulley.

A spring assembly or unit of this kind is particularly applicable to exercising machines of the rowing type. For instance, if it is placed on the side bars 19 of such a machine, these bars may be rigidly connected by a cross platform 56, and an end bar 57 to form a suitable base upon which a seat 58 may reciprocate. In accordance with the present invention, the seat is provided on its under side with depending strips 59 and outer depending plates 60 in which the shafts 61 of suitable rollers 62 are journaled. Each of these rollers has an inner flange 63 to bear against the beveled edge 64 of the side bar or track. This feature prevents the seat from shifting laterally outwardly. Each bar also has a longitudinal outer groove 65 to receive the flange 66 at the lower end of the plate 60. This not alone prevents the bars from spreading apart, but prevents the seat from jumping the track as it is moved back and forth by the operator.

In operation, assuming that the operator is sitting on the seat 58 with his feet resting on the casing 22. If he moves his body and limbs in a manner similar to that of a person rowing, the tapes will be alternately wound and unwound, and at the same time, the seat will be moved toward and away from the spring unit.

Instead of using two tapes, as shown in Figs. 1 to 9 inclusive, all of the springs may act upon one tape. For example, as shown in Fig. 10, the shaft 25a is mounted and adjusted in the same manner as the one shown in Fig. 5, and in this instance, a pair of collars 531) are fixed to the shaft and mounted at opposite sides of a centrally disposed pulley 34a which is rotatably mounted on the shaft and acts as a spool for the tape 39a. In this instance, one end of each of the outer springs 42a is fixed to the central pulley and its other end is fixed to a collar 46a that rotates on the shaft. Inner springs 51a are also arranged about the shaft, and each of these springs has one of its ends anchored to the fixed collar 53b, and its other end anchored to the rotatable collar 46a. Spring stop tubes 48a and 54a may also be used with this modification. Obviously, with this form of the invention, the opening 55a in the casing 22a to permit the passage of the tape, must be arranged at the center of the casing.

If two tape pulleys or rollers are used, I may, instead of employing two springs for each pulley, employ a single spring as illustrated in Figs. 12 and 13. In this embodiment, the shaft 251) is mounted and adjusted in the same manner as in Figs. and 10, but here a collar 530 is fixed to the shaft as well as to a tube 4%. In this instance, each spring is of substantially the same length as the shaft, and the inner spring 51b has one of its ends secured to the collar and its other end secured to one of the tape rollers 3 11) which is rotatably mounted on the shaft. Another collar 531i is fixed to the tube, and the outer spring 42b has one of its ends secured to the collar 53d, and its other end secured to a tape pulley 340 which also rotates on the shaft. It will be obvious from the description of the construction illustrated in Fig. 5, that when the tapes of Figs. 12 and 13 are unwound and then wound, the pulleys will in turn wind the tapes and permit unwinding of the springs.

Where it is possible to employ a shaft of suflicient length, I can use single springs for each pulley, and each spring need only be about one-half the length of the shaft. For example, in Fig. 13, the shaft 250 has fixed thereto at its medial portion, a collar 53c. Springs 420 and 4211 are arranged at opposite sides of the collar, and their inner ends are fixed to the latter as shown at 425. The outer ends of the springs are secured to the tape pulleys 3le which are rotatably mounted on the shaft. In this embodiment also, a stop tube 48c may be employed to prevent distortion of each spring.

While I have disclosed what I now consider to be preferred embodiments of the invention in such manner that they may be readily understood by those skilled in the art, I am aware that changes may be made in the details disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention, as expressed in the claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

'1. An exercising device including a rotatable shaft, coil springs surrounding the shaft, one of said springs being wound from right to left and the other being wound from left to right, pulley means rotatably mounted on the shaft, said springs-closing;operatively connectedsto saidshaft and ;to "the pulley meansgfor:causingwinding of.

shaft, coil springs surrounding the shaft, one .of'

saidisprings being wound from right toleft and the other. beingwound from left to 'right,.pulley.

means rotatably mounted. on the shaft, said springs. beingoperatively connected to said shaft and. to the .pulley means; for causing windingof the. springs when thepulleymeans is turned in one direction,v tape means wound about the pul-. ley meansand adapted to .bepulledby the opere ator.for:rotating:the .pulleyimeans in said. direc-.

tion; means'forcircumferentially adjusting thev shaft :for simultaneously" andequally tensioning said springs, and meansxarranged between'the springs and the shaft for preventing: distortion of. "the ssprings when; the latter are wound.

3. An exercising device. including a. rotatable shaftcoil springs surrounding theshaft, one of said-springs being'wound fromright to left and.

the other being wound'fromrleft to right, pulley meansrotatably mounted on the shaft, said springs being operatively connected to said shaft and-tothe pulley means forcausing winding of the-springs when ,the'pulley means is turned in one direction, tape means woundabout the pulley means and adapted-to be pulled by the operator for rotating thelpulley means in said direction,;,and means for circumferentially adjusting theshaf-t forsimultaneously; and equally tensioningsaid springs, the last mentionedmeans comprising anplate in which the shaft rotates said plate havingv a circular .series of apertures, a handle fixed to the shaft, anda latch. engage.- able with any one of said apertures for latching the-handle to 1 said "plate.

4. An exercising device including a rotatable shaft, coil springs surrounding the shaft, one of said springs being wound from right to left and the other being wound from left to right, pulley means rotatably mounted on the shaft, said springs being operatively connected to said shaft and to the pulley means for causing winding of the springs when the pulley means is turned in one direction, tape means Wound about the pulley means and adapted to be pulled by the operator for rotating the pulley means in said direction, means for circumferentially adjusting the shaft for simultaneously and equally tensioning said springs, plates in which the shaft is journaled, and a casing joining the plates and surrounding the springs, shaft and pulley means, said casing being ported to permit the passage of said tape means.

5. An exercising device including a rotatable shaft, coil springs surrounding the shaft, one of said springs being wound from right to left and the other being Wound from left to right, pulley means rotatably mounted on the shaft, said springs being operatively connected to said shaft and to the pulley means for causing winding of the springs when the pulley means is turned in one direction, tape means wound about the pulley means and adapted to be pulled by the operator for rotating the pulley means in said direction, and means for circumferentially adjusting the shaft for simultaneously and equalshaft, said; springs being operatively con nected to said shaft and. to the pulley means. for causing. winding. of the springs when the pulley means is turned in one direction,

tapemeans wound about the pulley means and adapted.- to be pulled by the-operator for rotating the pulley means in said direction, and means for circumferentially adjusting the shaft for simultaneously: and equally. tensioningsaid springs, said pulley means. including a pulley provided with an annular cavity into which one end portionof one of the springs extends.

I17; an exercisingdevicev including a rotatable shaft, ,coil springs surrounding (the shaft, one ofsaidsprings being wound. from. rightto left and: the other being. wound from left to right, pulley means rotatably mounted on the shaft, said. springs being operatively connected-1 to said shaft. andto the pulley means, for causing. winding of the springs when the pulley means is turned in one direction, tape means-wound .aboutthe pulley means and adapted. to be pulled by the operator .for'rotating the pulley means insaiddirection, and means for circumferentially adjusting the shaftfor simultaneously and equally tensioning said springs,

of .said springs being-wound from right to left and the other being wound from left to right, pulley means :rotatably mounted on the shaft, said springs being operatively connected to said shaft and to the pulley means for causing winding of the springs when the pulley means is turned in one direction, tape means wound about the pulley means and adapted to be pulled by the operator for rotating the pulley means in said direction, and means for circumferentially adjusting the shaft for simultaneously and equally tensioning said springs, one spring being arranged at one side of the medial portion of the shaft, and the other spring being arranged at the opposite side of the medial portion of the shaft, each spring being substantially equalin length to half the length of the shaft.

9. An exercising device including a rotatable shaft, coil springs surrounding the shaft, one of said springs being wound from right to left and the other being Wound from left to right, pulley means rotatably mounted on the shaft, said springs being operatively connected to said shaft and to the pulley means for causing winding of the springs when the pulley means is turned in one direction, tape means wound about the pulley means and adapted to be pulled by the operator for rotating the pulley means in said direction, means for circumferentially adjusting the shaft for simultaneously and equally tensioning said springs, and inner springs arranged within the first mennected to tioned springs and forming a portion of the means for operatively connecting the first mentioned springs to the shaft.

10. An exercising device including a rotatable shaft, coil springs surrounding the shaft, one of said springs being wound from right to left and the other being wound from left to right, pulley means rotatably mounted on the shaft, said springs being operatively consaid shaft and to the pulley means for causing winding of the springs when the pulley means is turned in one direction, tape means wound about the pulley means and adapted to be pulled by the operator for rotating the pulley means in said direction, and means for circumferentially adjusting the shaft for simultaneously tensioning said springs, the tape pulley means comprising pulleys arranged at the opposite end portions of the shaft.

11. An exercising device including a rotatable shaft, coil springs surrounding the shaft, one of said springs being wound from right to left and the other being Wound from left to right, pulley means rotatably mounted on the shaft, said springs being operatively connected to said shaft and to the pulley means for causing winding of the springs when the pulley means is turned in one direction, tape means wound about the pulley means and adapted to be pulled by the operator for rotating the pulley means in said direction, and means for circumferentially adjusting the shaft for simultaneously and equally tensioning said springs, the tape pulley means comprising a single pulley arranged at the omedial portion of the shaft.

12, An exercising device including a rotatable shaft, coil springs surrounding the shaft, one of said springs being wound from right to left and the other being wound from left to right, pulley means rotatably mounted on the shaft, said springs being operatively connected to said shaft and to the pulley means for causing winding of the springs when the pulley means is turned in one direction, tape means wound about the pulley means and adapted to be pulled by the operator for rotating 'thepulley means in said direction, and means for circumferentially adjusting the shaft for simultaneously tensioning said springs, each spring being of substantially the same length as the shaft and being.

positioned one within the other.

13. An exercising device including a rotatable shaft, coil springs surrounding the shaft, one of said springs being wound from right to left and the other being wound from left to right, pulley means rotatably mounted on the shaft, said springs being operatively connected to said shaft and to the pulley means for causing winding of the springs when the pulley means is turned in one direction, tape means wound about the pulley means and adapted to be pulled by the operator for rotating the pulley means in said direction, and meansfor circumferentially adjusting the shaft for simultaneously tensioning said springs, each spring being of substantially the same length as the shaft and being arranged one within the other, and a stop tube positioned between the springs;

14. An exercising device including a rotatable shaft, coil springs surrounding the shaft, one of said springs being wound from right to left and the other being wound from left to right, pulleys rotatably mounted on the shaft and movable independently of each other, said springs being operatively connected to said shaft and to the pulleys for causing winding of the springs when the pulleys are turned in one direction, tapes wound about the pulleys, each tape having one of its ends secured to one of the pulleys, handles connected to the other ends of the tapes and adapted to be pulled by'the operator for rotating the pulleys in said direction, and means for circumferentially adjusting the shaft in a clock-wise or counter-clock-wise direction for simultaneously and equally tensioning or untensioning said springs.

VALENTINE C. LUPPERT.

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