US2949911A - Automatically operated body exercising table - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 23, 1960 G. J. KENNARD El AL 2,949,911

AUTOMATICALLY OPERATED BODY EXERCISING TABLE Filed May 12, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS. 65026! zflkimwvzp,

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AUTOMATICALLY OPERATED BODY EXERCISING TABLE Filed May 12, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 mm Q3 m A EW Mme 5 GE T. Z

AUTOMATICALLY OPERATED BODY EXERCISIN G TABLE George J. Kennard and Irene Kennard, North Hollywood, Calif., assignors to Victor A. Pufi and Margaret 11. Puff, both of Los Angeles, Calif. 7

Filed May 12, 1958, Ser. No. 734,695

4 Claims. (Cl. 128-25) This invention relates to an automatically operated body exercising table.

It is an object of our invention to provide a single table which is capable of use to exercise substantially the entire human body for the purpose of strengthening and improving the muscles, aiding the posture, facilitating the loss of excess body weight and generally adding to bodily health and well-being.

It is the primary purpose of our invention to provide a single exercising table which can be used to give an entire course of treatments to the entire body without requiring the user to transfer to other tables or devices and without requiring the use of any additional or supplementary equipment whatsoever.

With our improved body exercising table, it is possible for the user to receive a complete routine of exercises for the entire body automatically and in the proper sequence and duration. The services of an attendant to administer the exercises or to supervise the operation of the table are not required.

Our automatically operated body exercising table is accordingly particularly adapted for use in reducing and body building establishments for the administration of regular treatments leading to the loss of excess weight and improved bodily health. It is adapted for use by persons of either sex and of substantially any age and build of body.

It is also among the objects of our invention to provide a device of the class described which is simple and sound in construction so that it can be manufactured and operated at an economically feasible price.

It is a further object of our invention to provide such a device which is smooth, safe and quiet in operation so that the user is not mentally disturbed and can relax and receive the full benefits of the treatment being administered.

Our invention also comprises such other objects, advantages and capabilities as will later more fully appear and which are inherently possed by our invention.

While we have shown in the accompanying drawings a preferred embodiment of our invention, it should be understood that the same is susceptible of modification and change Without departing from the spirit of our invention.

Referring to the drawings,

Fig. l is a perspective view of our complete automatically operated body exercising table;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the same taken on line 2.2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the same taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a top plan View of the foot exercising portion taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the foot exercising portion taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the oscillating platform portion taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 2;

Patented Aug. 23, 1960 Fig. 7 is a sectional view of one of the platform oscillating eccentrics. taken on line 77 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the other platform oscillatirig eccentric taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 6 and showing 5 oscillation of the platform in phase with the other platform;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 8 showing oscillation of the platform out of phase with the other platform;

Fig. 9a is an exploded perspective view showing the structure which permits reversal of the oscillation phase of one of the platforms;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view of the entire table taken on line 1010 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 11 is an electrical schematic diagram of the table combined with plan views of the motors and moving parts.

A preferred embodiment which has been selected to illustrate our invention comprises a rectangular table base 10, which is greater in length than width. The base It is hollow and houses most of the mechanical and electrical components of our device. The base 10 has an elevated portion 11 at one end thereof upon the top of which are mounted the foot exercising portions of our device.

The top of the base 10 is covered by a movable table top 12, which comprises two parts which are secured together for simultaneous oscillatory movement and between which are disposed a pair of independently movable platforms 13 and 14, the operation of which will be discussed hereinafter.

The table top 12 is oscillated lengthwise with respect to the base 10 by means of a U-shaped yoke 15, the opposite upper ends of which are secured to a pair of bearings 16 disposed on the opposite sides of the table top 12 adjacent one end thereof. The upper ends of the yoke 15 are also pivotally secured to another pair of bearings 17 carried by the opposite sides of the top of the base 10. The bearings 17 act as fulcrums for pivotal movement of the yoke 15 to cause oscillatory movement of the table top 12 with respect to the base 10.

The bottom of the yoke 15 is connected to one end of a crank arm 18, the opposite end of which is connected adjacent the circumference of a plate 19 which is in turn secured to a large pulley 20. The pulley 20 is mounted on a rotatable shaft 21 which is rotatably journaled in a pair of bearings 22 which are mounted on a pair of supports 23 which are secured to the lower part of the base 10.

The large pulley 20 is connected by a belt 24 to a small pulley 25 which is mounted on a shaft 26 which extends across the width of the base 10 and which is rotatably journaled at its opposite ends in a pair of bearings 27 which are supported by the base 10. Also mounted on the shaft 26 is a drive pulley 29, which is driven by a belt 30, the opposite end of which is connected to a motor pulley 31, which is rotated by an electric motor 32. The motor 32 is mounted on the lower portion of the base 10 and is connected to a suitable source of electrical supply. The motor 32 is a twospeed motor and its electrical circuit includes a switch 33 whereby the table top 12 can be selectively caused to oscillate either slowly or rapidly.

The opposite end of the table top 12 is provided at its opposite sides with a pair of arms 34, which are rotatably journaled at their upper ends in a pair of bearings 35 carried by the table top 12 and at their lower ends in a pair of bearings 36 carried by the upper frame of the base 10.

Suspended beneath and supported by the table top 12 is another motor 37, which rotates a pulley 38 which 3 in turn drives a belt 39, which is connected to a larger pulley 40. The pulley 40 is connected to a shaft 41 which extends transversely to the table top 12 and which is disposed therebeneath under the above mentioned movable platforms 13 and 14. The shaft 41 carries a pair of circular cams 42 and 43, which are mounted eccentrically with respect to the shaft 41. The cams 42 and 43 are disposed between the bifurcated lower ends of a pair of arms 44 and 45. The upper ends of the arms 44 and 45 are secured to the bottoms of the platforms 13 and 14 respectively. The midportions of the arms 44 and 45 are secured to a shaft 96 which extends transversely beneath the table top 12 between the shaft 41 and the table top 12. The midportions of the arms 44 and 45 thus provide fulcrums whereby movement of the lower ends of the arms 44 and 45 results in oscillatory movement of the platforms 13 and 14.

As will be seen by reference to Fig. 7 of the drawings, rotation of the shaft 41 by the motor 37 causes the eccentrically mounted cam 42 to impart transverse movement to the bifurcated lower end of the arm 44 as the larger offset portion of the cam 42 engages the opposite sides of the lower end of the arm 44.

The motor 37 is reversible and we have provided means whereby reversal of the motor 37 is utilized to provide oscillatory movement of the platforms 13 and 14 in opposite directions to each other. This is achieved by means of the structure shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 9a of the drawings. As shown in Fig. 9a, the cam 42 is loosely mounted on the shaft 41 and is provided with a pin 46. The shaft 41 also carries a circular plate 47 which has a semi-circular portion 45 disposed on the side thereof adjacent the pin 46 of the cam 42. One side of the semi-circular portion 48 engages the pin 46 so that rotation of the shaft 41 causes rotation of the cam 42.

It will thus be seen that if the direction of rotation of the motor 37 is reversed, the direction of rotation of the shaft 41 will be reversed. The plate 47 will then rorate one half revolution before the opposite side of the semi-circular portion 48 engages the pin 46 to cause rotation of the cam 42.

The other cam 43 has no such structure and its platform 14 will oscillate in one direction while the platform 13 remains stationary. When the platform 13 begins to move, it will move in a direction opposite to that of the platform 14. The continuous oscillatory movements of the platforms 13 and 14 will then be 180 out of phase, so that they oscillate in opposite directions with respect to each other.

When the motor 37 is again reversed, the platform 13 will again be delayed and the direction of movement of the platforms 13 and 14 thereafter will be the same.

It is thus possible by reversing the direction of the motor 37 to selectively move the platforms 13 and 14 simultaneously in the same direction or simultaneously in opposite directions to each other. Needless to say, the resulting effects of such movements on the human body are substantially different.

The leg exercising portion of our device is operated by another motor 50, which is mounted on the bottom of the base 10. The motor 50 drives a pulley 51, which is connected by a belt 52 to a larger pulley 53. The pulley 53 is mounted on a shaft 54 which extends transversely across the base and which is journaled at its opposite ends in a pair of bearings 55 carried by the base 10.

Another vertically directed pulley 56 is carried by the shaft 54 and is connected by a twisted belt 57 to a horizontally directed pulley 58. The pulley 58 is connected to the bottom of a vertically extending shaft 59, which extends upwardly .into the elevated portion 11 of the base 10.

The shaft 59 is rotatably journaled in a pair of bearlugs 66 and is connected at its upper end to a leg exercising plate 61, which is mounted on the top of the elevated portion 11 of the base 10. A second leg exercising plate 62 is connected to the upper end of a vertically dilrected shaft 63, which is rotatably journa'led in a pair of bearings 64.

A third vertically directed shaft 65 is disposed adjacent the opposite side of elevated portion 11 and is rotatably journaled in a pair of bearings 66. The shaft 65 carries a circular gear 67 adjacent its midportion. Another circular gear 68 is carried by the shaft 63. A link chain 69 extends between and around the gears 67 and 68.

The shaft 59 carries a third gear 70. One side of the link chain 69 engages the gear 70 so that rotatory movement of the shaft 59 in one direction is translated into rotary movement of the shaft 63 in the opposite direction.

Extending upwardly from adjacent the circumferences of the leg exercising plates 61 and 62 are a pair of rods '71 and 72 respectively. Attached to one side of the rods 71 and 72 are a pair of open sandals 73 and 74 which are adapted to receive the feet of the user. The rods 71 and 72 are connected by a shaft 75, which is attached to the rod 71 and which is telescopically mounted at its opposite end within one end of a hollow tube 76 which is connected at its opposite end to the rod 72. When the shaft 59 rotates, it causes rotation of the plate 61 in one direction and the gear chain 69 causes rotation of the other plate 62 in the opposite direction. Since the rods 71 and 72 are offset from the centers of the plates 61 and 62, the sandals 73 and 74 rotate simultaneously and simultaneously move toward and away from each other.

A foot and hand bar assembly 80 is mounted on the top of the table top 12 adjacent the elevated portion 11. It includes a top leg rest 81, which is padded and which extends transversely across the table top 12. Beneath the leg rest 81 is a parallel circular hand bar 82, which is adapted to be grasped by the hands of the user while lying supine on the table top. The assembly 80 is adjustable longitudinally with respect to the table top 12 to accommodate users of different heights and is fixed in the desired position by wing nut 83 which extend through slots 84.

The table top 12 and platforms 13 and 14 are provided with suitable padding so that the body of the user can comfortably rest upon them.

The operation of our device is controlled by an electronic sequence timer 96 which is mounted beneath the elevated portion 11 of the base 10. The sequence timer is set into operation by rotation of a dial 91 which is mounted on the end of the elevated portion 11. An automatic leg timing control 92 is also provided for operation of the leg exercising portion of our device. The leg timing control 92 is operated by rotation of a dial to control the amount of time that the leg exercising port-ion of our device will operate. The sequence timer 90 and leg timing control 92 comprise suitable electrical circuits which are within the skill of the art and which achieve the results described herein.

The course of treatment with our table is begun with the user lying on the back with the shoulders resting on the movable platforms 13 and 14. The head is disposed toward the foot exercising end of the table. The arms are stretched out over the head and the hands grip the hand bar 82.

The sequence timer 90 is then turned on by rotating the dial 91 and the platforms 13 and 14 oscillate together for a period of eight minutes. This exercise acts to strengthen the shoulder muscles, straighten the shoulders, lift the ribcage and strengthen the muscles of the stomach and abdomen.

After the eight minute exercise period has elapsed, the platforms 13 and 14 automatically stop moving and a rest period of one minute is provided.

At the end of the rest period, the platforms 13 and 14 automatically begin to oscillate in opposite directions to each other for a period of eight minutes. This change is accomplished by reversing the motor 37, as described above. This exercise firms the muscles of the breast and arms and relieves strain and tension in the arms and shoulders.

After the eight minute exercise period has elapsed, the platforms 13 and 14 automatically stop moving and another rest period of one minute is provided.

At the end of the rest period, the table top 12 automatically oscillates for a period of four minutes. The speed of oscillation is preferably fast. The hands of the user may be removed from the hand bar and placed along the sides of the body during this exercise. This exercise increases the circulation and aids the body in eliminating Waste materials.

At the end of this exercise period, the table top 12 automatically stops and the first exercise sequence has been completed. The sequence timer 99 has now passed through one complete cycle.

The user then signals an attendant, who instructs the user to change to a leg exercising position in which the user lies on the back with the feet strapped in the sandals 73 and 74 and the knees flexed. The leg timing control 92 is then turned on for whatever period of time is desired. The amount of time preferably is about two minutes to start and ten minutes after the user has become accustomed to the leg exercises. The leg timing control 92 automatically provides whatever length of time is selected on its dial.

During the leg exercise the plates 61 and 62 rotate in opposite directions to each other, causing the sandals 73 and 74 to rotate inwardly and outwardly with respect to each other. The calves of the legs of the user are resting upon the padded leg rest 81 and are gently massaged as the sandals move. The leg exercise acts to strengthen the muscles of the calves and thighs, nor malizes the ankles, calves and knees, removes fatty pockets on the outside of the thighs and buttocks and tightens the inner thigh muscles. In doing so, it helps to narrow the hip and thigh measurements.

At the conclusion of this exercise, the user moves to another position for a second complete timing sequence. In this position, the hips are resting upon the platforms 13 and 14 and the legs extend loosely over the leg rest 31. The spine rests between the platforms and the pelvic bones are aligned with the top of the platforms 13 and 14.

The sequence timer 90 is then turned on to start another timing sequence which is identical in duration and table action with the previous sequence, but which is entirely different in its effects on the body due to the change in the position of the body of the user.

The first exercise of the second sequence, in which the platforms 13 and 14 oscillate together, lasts for eight minutes and acts to strengthen the lower spinal area, correct the posture and help to eliminate excess weight around the hips.

After this exercise is completed, a one minute rest period is provided. The next exercise, in which the platforms 13 and 14 oscillate oppositely to each other, lasts for eight minutes and acts to narrow the hips and flatten the stomach, as well as relieving muscular strain and fatigue in the sacral area.

After this exercise is completed, another one minute rest period is automatically provided. The next exercise is again the oscillation of the complete table top 12. The attendant has, however, changed the table top speed switch 33, so that the tabletop 12 oscillates more slowly, to provide four minutes of smooth and relaxed oscillation to complete and conclude the course of treatment.

It may be noted that the services of an attendant are required only to start each of the three sequences and to make certain that the body of the user is in the proper position.

We claim:

1. A body exercising table comprising an oblong base, a table top extending across the top of said base and mounted for longitudinal oscillatory movement with respect to said base, a substantially U-shaped y'oke disposed within said base beneath said table top, said yoke having a pair of upwardly directed arms disposed adjacent the opposite sides of said base and table top, the upper ends of said arms being pivotally secured to the opposite sides of said table top, the portion of said arms therebeneath being pivtally connected to said base to provide fulcrums for the pivotal movement of said arms, a crank arm pivotally secured at one end to the bottom of said yoke, the opposite end of said crank arm being pivotally secured to a pulley in offset relationship to the center thereof, and a first electric motor connected to and adapted to rotate said pulley, the rotation of said pulley resulting in reciprocal movement of said crank arm to pivot said yoke and cause said table top to us cillate with respect to said base, said table top having two parts, a pair of movable platforms disposed beside each other adjacent the center of said table top between said parts, a second electric motor mounted beneath and carried by said table top, a shaft mechanically connected to and rotated by said motor, a pair of eccentric cams carried by said shaft, a pair of vertically directed arms, each of said arms being connected at its upper end to one of said movable platforms, the mid-portions of said arms being pivotally mounted with respect to said table top, the lower end of each of said arms being hihircated, the bifurcations of said arms being disposed on opposite sides of said eccentric cams. the rotation of said shaft causing said cams to alternately engage the bifurcations of said arms to cause the pivotal movement of said arms and the oscillatory movement of said platforms with respect to said table top, means for oscillating said movable platforms simultaneously in opposite directions to each other, said means comprising a pin projecting from one of said cams, said shaft carrying a plate having a semicircular portion projecting therefrom, said plate being disposed so that said semi-circular portion faces toward said pin, one side of said semi-circular portion being adapted to engage said pin to cause the rotation of said cam in one direction, means for reversing the direction of rotation of said shaft, said semi-circular portion adapted upon rotation of said shaft in the opposite direction to rotate one half revolution until the other side of said semi-circular portion engages said pin, with the arm and platform connected to said cam remaining stationary, said cams thereafter rotating out of phase with each other to provide simultaneous oscillatory movement of said platforms in opposite directions with respect to each other, a third electric motor mounted within said base, a vertically directed pulley mechanically connected to and driven by aid third motor, a twisted belt extending at one end around said vertically directed pulley and at its opposite end around a horizontally directed pulley, a first vertically directed shaft connected at its lower end to said horizontally directed pulley, a plate mounted on the upper end of said first shaft, a second vertically directed shaft rotatably mounted within said base, a plate mounted on the upper end of said second shaft, a third vertically directed shaft rotatably mounted within said base, each of said shafts carrying a gear, a link chain extending between and around the gears on said second and third shafts, one side of said link chain being connected to the gear on said first shaft, whereby rotation of said first shaft in one direction results in rotation of said second shaft in the opposite direction to provide simultaneous rotation of said plates in opposite directions to each other, and foot receiving means carried by said plates.

2. The structure described in claim 1 and an electronic sequence timer electrically connected to said motors for automatically and sequentially oscillating said movable platforms simultaneously in the same direction for a fixed period of time, providing a short rest period thereafter, then oscillating said movable platforms simultaneously in opposite directions to each other for a fixed period of time, providing a short rest period thereafter, and then oscillating said table top with respect to said base for a fixed period of time to provide an automatically controlled sequence of exercises for a user lying on said table top.

3. A body exercising table comprising a base, a table top extending across the top of said base and mounted for longitudinal oscillatory movement with respect to said base, a first electric motor connected to and adapted to oscillate said table top, said table top having two parts, a pair of movable platforms disposed beside each other adjacent the center of said table top between said parts, a second electric motor mounted beneath said table top, a shaft connected to and rotated by said motor, a pair of ecentric cams carried by said shaft, a pair of vertically directed arms, each of said arms being connected at its upper end to one of said movable platforms, the midportions of said arms being pivotally mounted with respect to said table top, the lower end of each of said arms being bifurcated, the bifurcations of said arms being disposed on opposite sides of said eccentric cams, the rotation of said shaft causing said cams to alternately engage the bifurcations of said arm to cause the pivotal movement of said arms and the oscillatory movement of said platforms with respect to said table top, means for oscillating said movable platforms simultaneously in opposite directions to each other, said means comprising a pin projecting from one of said cams, said shaft carrying a plate having a semi-circular portion projecting therefrom, said plate being disposed so that said semicircular portion faces toward said pin, one side of said semi circular portion being adapted to engage said pin to cause the rotation of said cam in one direction, means for reversing the direction of rotation of said shaft, said semi-circular portion adapted upon rotation of said shaft in the opposite direction to rotate one half revolution until the other side of said semicircular portion engages said pin, with the arm and platform connected to said cam remaining stationary, said cams thereafter rotating out of phase with each other to provide simultaneous oscillatory movement of said platforms in opposite directions with respect to each other, and a third electric motor mounted within said base, a vertically directed pulley mechanically connected to and driven by said third motor, a twisted belt extending at one end around said vertically directed pulley and at its opposite end around a horizontally directed pulley, a first vertically directed shaft connected at its lower end to said horizontally directed pulley, a plate mounted on the upper end of said first shaft, a second vertically directed shaft rotatably mounted within said base, a plate mounted on the upper end of said second shaft, a third vertically directed shaft rotatably mounted within said base, each of said shafts carrying a gear, a link chain extending between and around the gears on said second and third shafts, one side of said link chain being connected to the gear on said first shaft, whereby rotation of said first shaft in one direction results in rotation of said second shaft in the opposite direction to provide simultaneous rotation of said plates in opposite directions to each other, foot receiving means carried by said plates, and an electronic sequence timer electrically connected to said motors for automatically and sequentially oscillating said movable platforms simultaneously in the same direction for a fixed period of time, providing a short rest period thereafter, then oscillating said movable platforms simulta neously in opposite directions to each other for a fixed period of time, providing a short rest period thereafter, and then oscillating said table top with respect to said base for a fixed period of time to provide an automatically controlled sequence of exercises for a user lying on said table top, and a leg exercise timing control electrically connected to said third motor and operable to automatically rotate said foot receiving means for any selected period of time.

4. A body exercising table comprising a base, a table top extending across the top of said base and mounted for longitudinal oscillatory movement with respect to said base, a first electric motor connected to and adapted to oscillate said table top, said table top having two parts, a pair of movable platforms disposed beside each other adjacent the center of said table top between said parts, a second electric motor mounted beneath said table top, means connecting said motor and said platforms for oscillating said movable platforms simultaneously in the same direction or in opposite directions to each other, a third electric motor mounted within said base, a vertically directed pulley mechanically connected to and driven by said third motor, a twisted belt extending at one end around said vertically directed pulley and at its opposite end around a horizontally directed pulley, a first vertically directed shaft connected at its lower end to said horizontally directed pulley, a plate mounted on the upper end of said first shaft, a second vertically directed shaft rotatably mounted within said base, a plate mounted on the upper end of said second shaft, a third vertically directed shaft rotatably mounted Within said base, each of said shafts carrying a gear, a link chain extending between and around the gears on said second and third shafts, one side of said link chain being connected to the gear on said first shaft, whereby rotation of said first shaft in one direction results in rotation of said second shaft in the opposite direction to provide simultaneous rotation of said plates in opposite directions to each other, foot receiving means carried by said plates, and a foot and hand bar assembly mounted on said table top adjacent to said foot receiving means, said assembly including a leg rest extending transversely across said table, said leg rest having padding on the upper surface thereof, a hand bar extending transversely across said table top beneath and parallel to said leg rest, means for longitudinal movement of said assembly to a selected position with respect to said table, and means for holding said assembly in such selected posit-ion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,542,351 Pease Feb. 20, 1951 2,591,212 Stauifer Apr. 1, 1952 2,666,429 Alexander Jan. 19, 1954 2,688,323 Miller Sept. 7, 1954 2,717,593 Murphy Sept. 13, 1955 2,819,713 Buck Jan. 14, 1958

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