US2580932A

US2580932A - Exercising device

Info

Publication number: US2580932A
Application number: US112259A
Authority: US
Inventors: Norman D Lantry
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1949-08-25
Filing date: 1949-08-25
Publication date: 1952-01-01
Anticipated expiration: 1969-01-01

Description

Jan. 1, 1952 N. D. LANTRY 2,580,932

- EXERCISING DEVICE Filed Aug. 25, 1949 Patented Jan. 1, 1952 -UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 6 Claims.

This invention relates in general to exercis-- .ing devices, and in particular to a device adapted to assist in developing certain muscles of the bodyand for removing excess weight. g Y

One of the principal objects of the invention is to provide a simple form of exercising device which may be economically manufactured thus making it available to persons of all classes.

Another object of the invention is to provide an exercising device which is simple in operation and which is so constructed as to be readily folded compactly for purposes of transportation.

A further object of the invention is to provide an exercising device which is designed to particularly assist in developing muscles in the legs. stomach and back.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an exercising device which is sturdy and light weight and is so constructed that it may be used not only in a public gymnasium. but also in the privacy of ones own home.

A further object of the invention is to provide an exercising device which is based primarily on the theory of non-balance. In this way the device is so constructed as to hold the body in check entirely by muscle action.

Still another and more specific object of the invention is to provide an exercising device which is capable of holding the lower part of the legs of a body in a fixed position and permit movement of allparts of the body above the knees.

Another specific object is to provide an exercising device which is adjustable for holding the legs below the knees in a fixed position at any desired angle from a plane perpendicular to the horizontal downwardly to approximately 80 from the perpendicular.

Other objects and advantages of the invention willbecome apparent from reading the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of thejexercising device embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the device;

' Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the device shown in Fig. 2 but illustrated in foldedposition.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing; and especially to Fig. 1, it will be seen that the device consists primarily of two base or supporting members 2 and 4. The forward end of each of the supports 2 and 4 is provided with a hin'g'e member 6 provided with a pivot pin 8 to which "a similar hinge member ID afllxed to the rear end-of each extension l2 may be pivotally secured.

The rear end of each of the main'supports 2-4 has a similar hinge member l4 mounted thereon and provided with a pivot pin l6. Rear extensions l8 likewise have hinge members afilxed to the forward ends thereof, each of which members 20 is pivotally mounted to the pivot pin I8.

I The hinge members 6-40 and l420 are so constructed as to permit the front and rear end extensions l2 and I8 to be folded downwardly in the manner shown in Fig. 3. When these end members are extended for use of the device, however, the rear ends of the extensions [2 abut the forward ends of the members 2 and 4, and in a similar manner the rear ends of the members 2 and 4 abut the forward ends of the extensions 18, so that further upward movement of these end extensions will be prevented.

The front extensions l2 and rear extensions I8 are preferably tied together by means of

transverse bars

22 and 24 to prevent any spreading of these members resulting from the strain thereon during the use of the device. The end extensions l2 and [8 thus provide additional supporting area for the device while it is in use and will prevent any movement or tipping of the device while a person is exercising thereon.

As stated previously the device is designed particularly to hold the legs below the knees in a rigid position while other parts of the body above the knees may be moved, whereupon development of the muscles in the legs, stomach and back may be accomplished. To this end each of the base supporting members 2--4 is provided with an arcuate substantially semicircular member 26 atthe inner edge thereof and with a similar semi-circular member 28 at the outer edge thereof. These inner and outer arcuate members 26 and 28 have a plurality of corresponding openings 30 therethrough for the reception of a suitable pin. Supporting bars 32 are pivotally secured at 34 at their lower ends to the outer edges of each of the main supporting members 2-4. Similar supporting bars 36 are pivotally mounted at their lower ends to the inner edges of each of'the supporting members 2 4. A band 38 is fastened at each side thereof to the inner and outer supporting

bars

32 and 36 thereby providing a support for the forward side of the leg portion below the knee. Straps 40 are also secured to the

bars

32 and 36 and extend rearwardly therefrom for the purpose of securing the leg rigidly. in place between the

bars

32 and 36 and against-the band 38.

If the person eusinggthc exercising device desires to perform-pertain exercises in an upright position, the person will stand with the feet reststomach and back. Exercising in this position develops only certain muscles. Other muscles may be exercised when different positions of the body are assumed, and for this reason the braces. which include the bars 3236 may be located at various angles to the vertical. Fig. 3 illustrate's thebrace in its lowermost position whereupon the person.

may strap the legs in these braces in the manner The device is simple in'construction-and may be folded very compactly as shown in Fig. 3 when it is desired to carry the device from home to office or gymnasium. Exercising devices of this general nature heretofore have the disadvantage of placing the 'weight'of the body on the bone structure, whereas the present invention overcomes this disadvantage by stressing more the muscular portions of the body.

Changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of parts from that disclosed herein without in any way departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of the attendant advantages thereof provided, however, that such changes fall within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows: 1. An exercising device of the character described comprising an elongated main supporting structure adapted to be positioned horizontally, bracing means mounted for angular adjustment' in a substantially vertical plane intermediate the ends of said structure and extending upwardly'therefrom and adapted torecei've and hold the legs of a -person,and means for maintaining saidbracing means in any position to which adjusted. I 2; An exercising device of the characterdescribed comprising an elongated main supporting structure adapted to be positioned horizontally, bracing means pivotally mounted to rotate 9 about a substantially horizontal axis on said structure intermediate the ends thereof and extending upwardly therefrom and adapted to re- 'ceive and hold the legs of a person, and means for maintaining said bracing means in any positionto which rotated.

'3. An exercising device of the character described comprising an elongated main support- "ingistructure adapted to "be positioned horizon- .tally, bracing means mounted "for angular ,ad- 'justment in a substantially vertical plane intermediate'the ends of said structure and extending upwardly therefrom and adapted to receive and hold the legs of a person, means for maintaining said bracing means in any position to which adjusted, supporting extensions on each end of said main supporting structure, and means mounting said extensions on said main supporting structure whereby said extensions may be folded and render the device compact for trans- ,portation.

4. An exercising deviceof the character described comprising a pair of spaced substantially parallel main supporting members, leg bracing means on each of said supporting members extending upwardly therefrom and pivotally secured thereto and including means for receiving and holding a leg of a person using the device, arcuate supporting. members rigidly secured to the inner and outer sides of each of said main supporting members, and means for adjustably securing said bracing means to said arcuate memjbers'invarious positions.

5QAn'exe'rcis'ingdevice of the character described comprising-a pair of spaced substantially parallel main supporting member's, legbraci'ng means on each of said supportingmembers extending upwardly therefrom and pivotally secured thereto and'includingmeans for receiving and holding a leg of a person using the device, arcuate supporting members rigidly secured to the inner and outer sides of each of said main supporting members, means for adjustably securing said'bracing means to saidarcuate members in various positions, supporting extensions on each end of said main supporting structure, and means mounting said extensions on said main supporting structure whereby said extensions may be folded and render the device compact for transportation. 6.'An exercising device of the'character described comprising a pair of spaced substantially parallel main supporting members, a substantially semi-circular element secured'to the inner and outer sides of each of said members and extending thereabove, a pluralityof openings in each of saidsemi-circular elements, a leg bracing member extending upwardly from and pivotally mountedon each of said main supporting members and including means for receiving and holding a leg of a person using the device, each of said bracing members bei'ng located between the ends of its corresponding semi-circular element,

and a pin adapted to be inserted in each side of each bracing member and through an opening in each of said semi-circular elements whereby said bracing members may be held in various adjusted positions.

NORMAN D. LANTRY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references areof record in the filev of this patent:

UNITED STATES .PAYI'ENTS