US3043293A

US3043293A - Exercising table for providing horizontal movement in a reversible

Info

Publication number: US3043293A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1962-07-10
Anticipated expiration: 1979-07-10

Description

July 10, 1962 G. s. RIDER 3,043,293 EXERCISING TABLE FOR PROVIDING HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT IN A REVERSIBLE ORBITAL PATH OR IN EITHER OF TWO RECIPROCABLE PATHS WHICH ARE PERPENDICULAR TO EACH OTHER 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 2, 1960 E mm ma WE E L m m Q a ATToQHe Y July 10, 1962 G. s. RIDER 3,043,293 EXERCISING TABLE FOR PROVIDING noarzonm, MOVEMENT IN A REVERSIBLE ORBITAL PATH OR IN EITHER OF TWO RECIPROCABLE PATHS WHICH ARE PERPENDICULAR TO EACH OTHER Filed May 2, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 4 a wel I 5 I00 i so i F 98 92 84 :2:

I. I 57 58 4 86 I l 39- [32 H: H4

i I l l r; x ll 48 v. .El I. as 70 72 74 i 76 so I I] 8 7e -42. i 46 44 I INVENTOR.

:r GRfl/Yl/ILZE 5. 'R/DEQ.

GLQQL' A C. W

ATTORNEY July 10, 1962 e. s. RIDER EXERCISING TABLE FOR PROVIDING HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT IN A REVERSIBLE ORBITAL PATH OR IN EITHER OF TWO RECIPROCABLE PATHS WHICH ARE PERPENDICULAR TO EACH OTHER 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 2, 1960 INVENTOR.

GQHHV/LLE 6.121052 ATToQNEY atenthhce 3,043,293 Patented July 10, 1962 EXERCISING TABLE FGR PRGVIDING HGRIZGN- TAL MGVER'IENT m A REVERSIBLE GRBITAL PATH? GR IN EITHER F TVJG RECIPRGCABLE ARE PERPENDICULAR TO EACH Granville S. Rider, 9001 Patrick Ave, Pacoima, Calif.

Filed May 2, 1960, Ser. No. 26,230 11 Claims. c1. 128--33) The present invention relates generally to the field of physical therapy devices, and more particularly to a power-actuated exercising machine particularly adapted for use in exercising the mid-section of a user when he is either sitting thereon, or occupies a reclining position with his mid-section supported on the invention and his legs and upper body portion resting on adjoining fixed supports.

Although numerous power-operated physical therapy devices have been devised and marketed in the past, the majority of these devices have had such operational disadvantages as being capable of reciprocating only longitudinally or laterally, or. if of a type that can reciprocate in both directions, it has been necessary for the user to dismount from the device in order to make a manual adjustment thereto to efiect a change in the reciprocal action thereof. Due to the limitations thereof relative to re-direction of movement of exercising devices available heretofore, the user has not received the full benefit attainable by use of oscillatiing power-operated exercising devices, and in addition has found them most inconvenient to use due to the necessity of dismounting therefrom to make the required adjustments above mentioned.

The primary object in devising the present invention is to provide a power-operated exercising device that permits the user thereof to select, while in a reclining position, any one of four difierent exercising movements to which he desires to subject a portion of his body, and to make this selection of movement during operation of the invention.

Another object of the invention is to provide a poweroperated device that is far more convenient to use and operate than equipment previously available, and which will more effectively exercise the body by subjecting the desired portion thereof to a variety of movements.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a therapeutic exercising device that is compact, easily stored when not in use, is of relatively simple mechanical structure, can be fabricated from standard, commercially available materials, sold at a reasonable retail price, and one which requires a minimum of maintenance attention.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred and certain alternate forms thereof, and from the accompanying drawings illustrating the same, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of the powerdriven physical therapy and exercising device shown disposed between two fixed body supports, with the midsection of the user resting on the invention;

FIGURES 2(a), (b), (c) and (d) are top plan views of the invention, showing the four directions of movement to which the same may be subjected at will by the user while resting thereon;

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the preferred form of the invention, with a portion of the upper bodysupporting member thereof cut away to expose the interiorly disposed driving mechanism;

FIGURE 4- is a vertical cross-sectional view of the invention taken on line 4-4 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of the device taken on line 55 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged top plane view showing the driving mechanism of the invention in a position to impart a counter clockwise rotary motion to the body-supporting member;

FIGURE 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a portion of the invention shown in FIGURE 6 taken on line 7-7 thereof;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of a portion of the invention shown in FIGURE 6 taken on line 8-8 thereof;

FIGURE 9 is a top plan view of the driving mechanism of the invention shown in a position to cause longitudinal reciprocating motion of the body-supporting member of the device as illustrated in FIGURE 2(c);

FIGURE 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the driving mechanism taken on line 10-10 of FIGURE 9';

FIGURE llis also a vertical cross-sectional view of the portion of the invention shown in FIGURE 9, taken on line l1-11 thereof;

FIGURE 12 is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuit used in supplying power to the driving mechanism a of the invention as well as in the control thereof;

FIGURE 13 is a side elevational view of a first alternate form of the invention; and 7 FIGURE 14 is a side elevational view of a second alternate form of the invention.

With continued reference, tothe drawings for the general arrangement of the invention, it will be seen to include a base A, from the edges of which side walls B extend upwardly to a position adjacent a flat, rigid bodysupporting member C on which the midsection *of the user D may rest, as shown in FIGURE 1.

Supporting member C is power-driven by a motor E, and is adapted to be rotated orbitally in either a clockwise or counter clockwise direction in a horizon-talplane, depending upon the direction of rotation of motor B, when a control mechanism F occupies a first position as shown in FIGURE 6. When motor E drives supporting member C in a counter clockwise direction relative to base A, the drive mechanism Y will occupy the position shown in solid line in FIGURE 6. However, if the direction of motor E is reversed and the control mechanism F is still in the first position, the drive mechanism Y will immediately assume the position shown in phantom line (FIGURE 6) and clockwise orbital movement relative to base A will be imparted to the supporting member C.

If the control mechanism F is moved to a second position, as shown in FIGURE 9, by means that will be described hereinafter, while supporting member C orbits in a counter clockwise direction, this orbital movement is immediately changed over to a longitudinal reciprocal movement, as shown in FIGURE 2(a). If the control mechanism F is moved to the second position (FIGURE 9) while the body-supporting member C orbits in a clockwise direction, this orbital movement motion is immediately changed to lateral reciprocal movement relative to base A, as shown in FIGURE 2(b).

Supporting member C is at all times maintained at an elevated position above, and movably parallel relative to base A, by a number of suspension assemblies H, the structural details of which are best seen in FIGURES 3, 4 and 5. Power from motor E is transmitted to a speed reduction unit K (FIGURE 3) from which a drive shaft I projects upwardly.

Referring now to the drawings for the detailed structure of the invention, it will be seen that four suspension assemblies Hare provided which are located underneath and adjacent the corner portions of the supportingmember C, as best seen in FIGURE 3. The supportingassemblies H are structurally identical, and accordingly only one of these assemblies will be described herein. Each assembly H includes a rigid body 10 in which a down wardly extending bore 12 is formed that is in vertical alignment with a counter bore 14 of smaller diameter and extends upwardly through the lower portion of body Iii. At the intersection thereof,

bores

12 and 14 define a circular, downwardly and inwardly tapering body shoulder 16 that rotatably supports a ball 18. A rod 20 is affixed to ball 18'and projects downwardly through counter bore 14. The transverse cross section of rod 20 is substantially lessthan that of counter bore 14. Two flanges 22 extend outwardly from opposite sides of body and have bores 7 formed therein through which screws 24 project into one of the side walls B to rigidly support body 10 in a fixed position relative thereto.

Rod has a second ball 21 afiixed to the lower end thereof, which ball rotatably engages a curved, inwardly extending shoulder 25 defined at the intersection of a vertical bore 26 and counter bore 28 formed in a second rigid body. 30, as best see'nin FIGURE 5. An elongate 30 (FIGURE4), and the top thereof terminates in a horizontal .flange 34. Flange 34 has an opening formed therein through which a screw, rivets, or other fastening means 36 project to engage the body-supporting member C. Bodies 30 and brackets 32 cooperatively serve to maintain supporting member C at an elevated position above second balls 21 as well as base A. Member C is preferably formed from a rigid sheet 38 of metal, or the like, having a flat upholstered body 40 affixed to the upper surface thereof, and on which the user D rests. The suswith the drive shaft J of the speed reduction unit extending upwardly therefrom and normally disposed relative to base A. A circular'cam 42 is eccentrically mounted on thenpper end of drive shaft] (FIGURES). The sides of cam .42.slidably and rotatably'engage the interior surface of a sleeve 44 that'isldisposed in a cavity 46 formed in the lower portion of a rigid body 48 which forms a part of the drive mechanism .Y. The upper surface of cam 42 slidably and rotatably engages a plate 50 of metal, such as brass or the like, that is disposed in cavity 46 and rests 7 against a surface 52 formed in body 48. i A relatively wide arm 54 projects from body 48, which arm has an extension 56 of considerably narrower width extending from, the outer extremity thereof. A second arm 57, preferably fabricated from steel plate, is pivotally connected to an outer portion of the first arm 54. This pivotal connection is effected by a screw or rivet 58 that engages vertically aligned bores formed in both arms. Second arm 57, as best seen in FIGURE 6, extends'to the left from screw 58 a sufiicient distance to support a rigid upwardly extending boss on the end portion thereof.

The length of the second arm 57 to the left of screw 58 is preferably such that when the longitudinal center lines in the first and second arms are in alignment, the longitudinal axes of body 48 and boss 60 are coaxially aligned. Boss 60 has a downwardly extending circular cavity 62 formed therein that pivotally supports an upwardly extending rod 64 which is threaded or otherwise afiixed to the supporting member'C, as shown in FIGURE 4. A longitudinally extending slot 66 is formed on the end portion of arm 57 to the right of screw 58, the purpose of which will hereinafter be explained in detail.

Body 48 (FIGURE 8) includes a horizontally disposed protuberance 68. A tapped cavity 76 is formed in protuberance 68 that is engaged by a threaded end 72 of a rigid bar 74 which acts as a. stop in the manner to be 7 4, described. Two identical

resilient wheels

76 and 76 are rotatably supported on the upper end portions of two

vertical shafts

78 and 78 respectively, as may best be rigid bracket 32 extends upwardly from one side of body I seen in FIGURES 3, 4, and 11. The lower ends of shafts 7S and 73 are afl'ixed tothe upper surface of base A by conventionalmeans. Shaft 78 is so positioned that wheel 76 is contacted by stop 74 when cam 42 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction. When stop 74 contacts wheel 76 it limits the position of driving mechanism Y to that shown in solid line in FIGURE 6. Conversely, when stop 74 contacts wheel 76' the position of driving mechanism Y is limited to that shown in phantom line in FlGURE 6. x

First arm 54 to the left of its junction with extension 56 (FIGURES 9 and 10) has a short longitudinally extending recess 86 formed therein. A slot 82 is formed in extension 56 that is in longitudinal alignment with recess and extends to the right of the junction between arm 54 and extension '56. A rigid elongate locking member 84 is slidably mounted on the upper surface of extension 56, and extends to the right therebeyond, as shown in FIGURES 8 and 10. A longitudinally extending slot 86 is formed in locking member 84, and a'screw 88 extends upwardly from the right-hand'extremity of extension 56 through slot 86. A compressed helical spring 90 encircles screw SS, with the upper end thereof hearing against a screw head 88a and the lower end against a washer 92. Washer 92 at all times tends to maintain the locking member 84 in slidable pressure contact with the upper surface of extension 56. V

A detent 94of greater thickness than locking member a 84 projects from the left-handend thereof (FIGURES 9 (FIGURE 6). Due to the tension of springs 100, they at all times tend to move lockingmember 84. to the left as shown in FIGURE 9, to cause the detent 94 to engage the recess 66 formed in second arm 57. However, the springs are prevented from so moving locking member 84 so long as it is substantially parallel to exten sion 56, for the right-hand portion of locking member 84 is heavied to define a catch 95 that removably engages the. right-hand end 5611' of extension 56, as best seen in FIGURE 10.

An engageable member'104'is vertically mounted on theright-hand extremity of locking member 84 as shown. Member 104 is preferably in the form of a screw 106, the threaded portion of which projects upwardly through a vertical bore in locking member 84. and is engaged by a nut 108. One-half of the head of screw 106is cut away to define a vertically disposed flat face 112 that is in transverse alignment with locking member 84. The purpose of the engageable member 104 will later become apparent. I

The control mechanism F includes an elongate rigid plate 114 having two identical longitudinally spaced slots 116 formed therein through which the upper portions of

shafts

78 and 78 extend. The resilient wheels 76 and 76' have

metal washers

118 and 118 aifixed to the upper surfaces thereof, and plate 114 is slidably supported on

washers

118 and 118.

Collars

120 and 120 are afiixed to the upper extremities of

shafts

78 and 78', which collars are of larger diameter than the width of slots 116 and 116', and prevent inadvertent displacement of plate 114 from the shafts.

Shafts

78 and 78' have two oppositely extending, magnetically attractable elongate

rigid members

122 and 122 connected thereto by cotter pins 124 and 124', or the like. Two identical solenoids 126 and 126' are longitudinally aligned on plate 114 and rigidly afiixed to opposite end portions thereof. Solenoids 126 and 126' are so disposed relative to

members

122 and 122 that when plate 114 is shifted to a first position as will later be described, member 112 is positioned substantially inside the solenoid 126 with the other member 122 then being substantially out of the solenoid 126 with which it is associated. A rod G, as shown in FIGURE 3, is rigidly connected to plate 114, which plate can be manually shifted to either the first or second position by use of rod G.

7 Plate 114 (FIGURE 3) has two transversely projecting end portions 130 and 130'. End portion 130 has an upwardly extending protuberance 132 thereon which may be a screw head or the like. End portion 130 also has an engaging member 134 extending thereabove that likewise may be a screw head, but one-half thereof'is removed to define a vertical engaging face 136 which is parallel to face 112 of engageable member 104 when the drive mechanism Y is disposed as shown in FIGURE 6. Extension 130 is likewise provided with a protuberance 132 and an engaging member 134' that has a fiat vertical face 136.

When the motor E is caused to drive cam 42 in a counter clockwise direction, and the control mechanism F is disposed in the second position shown in FIGURE 9, engagement between engageable member 104 and engaging member 134 is efiected. Such engagement causes locking member '84 to initially remain stationary while extension 56 moves to the left relative thereto. This relative movement, due to the downward pressure on locking member 84 by spring 99 and washer 92, causes catch 95 to engage the left-hand end 56a of extension 56 as shown in FIGURE 10. Member 84 and extension 56 are then removably locked together in longitudinal alignment, with second arm 57 (FIGURE 9) being free to pivot on screw 58 as first arm 56 is reciprocated by rotation of cam 42. Concurrent reciprocation of first arm 54 and pivoting of second arm 57 relative thereto imparts longitudinal reciprocating motion to body-supporting member C as shown in FIGURE 2(a).

If plate 114 is then shifted relative to extension 56 and locking member 84 to a first position where protuberance 132 is in longitudinal alignment with engageable member 104, the engageable member rides up on the protuberance and tilts the locking member 84 in a counter clockwise direction in a vertical plane relative to extension 56 (FIGURE 10). Catch 95-is thereafter disengaged from end 56a, and the tensioned springs 180 will move locking member 84- and detcnt 94 to the left sufficiently for the detent to engage recess 66 in second arm 57. Arms 54 and '57 are then removably locked together in longitudinal alignment, and when cam 42 is rotated in a counter clockwise direction, counter clockwise orbital motion is imparted to supporting member C as shown in FIGURE 2(d).

Leaving the control mechanism F in the first position shown in FIGURE 6 and causing motor E to rotate cam 42 in a-clockwise direction, will cause the first arm 54 and extension 56 to pivot to the position shown in phantom line. The engageable member 110 then rides backward ly and forwardly over protuberance 132 whereby the clockwise rotation of cam 42 imparts clockwise orbital motion to support C as shown in FIGURE 2(c). If control mechanism F is moved to the second position to bring engaging member 136' into longitudinal alignment with engageable member 104, when cam 42 rotate in a clockwise direction, the engaging and

engageable members

132 and 104 respectively immediately engage, and locking member 84 is moved relative to extension 56 to a position where screw 96 engages slot 82, as shown in :FIGURE 10. Detent 94 does not then engage slot or recess 66, and second arm 57 is free to pivot on screw 58 relative to first arm 54, whereby body-supporting member C is reciprocatedtransversely as shown in FIG- URE 2(b).

To prevent inadvertent twisting rotary movement of supporting member C in a horizontal plane relative to base A and side walls B, two longitudinallyaligned stub shafts and 140' are supported 'by bosses 142 and 142' respectively. Bosses 142 and 142' are afiixed to

plates

144 and 144 that are attached by

screws

146 and 146, or other fastening means, to the upper interior surfaces of two oppositely disposed side walls B.

A rigid, horizontally disposed ring 148 is provided, the interior diameter of which is considerably larger than the cross section of member 64 that extends upwardly therethrpugh as shown in FEGURE 4. The adjacent ends of two oppositely extending horizontal shafts 150 and 15%) are rigidly afiixed to ring 148, and the outer end portions of these shafts are journalled in bearings 152 and 152' which are rigidly afiixed. to the under side of supporting member C. Downwardly extending bifurcated members 154 and 154' are rigidly affixed to shafts 150 and 150' that pivotally and slidably engage stub shafts 1453 and 141).

Two tensioned

helical springs

158 and 160 are connected to flanges 34 adjacent the side wall B on which switches G are mounted. The opposite ends of

springs

158 and 160 are connected to the side wall B on which switches G are mounted and angularly disposed relative thereto as shown in FIGURE 3. These springs at all times tend to pull supporting member C to the right as shown so that there will be no inadvertent longitudinal movement or" supporting member C relative to base A and side walls B.

The diagram of the electrical circuits used with the invention is shown in FIGURE 12, and includes the switches G shown in FIGURES 1 and 3 that can be operated by the user D when in the reclining position illustrated. One of the switches G, referred to specifically in FIG- URE 12 by the notation G-1, is of the double-pole, double-throw type and the two

blades

164 and 166 thereof are connected by conductors 168 and 176 to the armature (not shown) of motor E. Two contacts -164a'and 166a of switch G-l can be engaged by blades :164 and 166 when the blades are in a first position. Contacts 164a and 166a are connected by conductors 1'72 and 174 to a source of domestic electrical energy. Switch 'G-1 also includes two contacts 164!) and 16611 that can be engaged by

blades

164 and 166 when in a second position. Contacts 16412 and 16617 are connected by conductors 176 .and 178 respectively to

conductors

172 and 174 at junction points 172a and 174a thereon. Extensions 172s and 176a of conductors 172 and 176 respectively, are connected to the field (not shown) of motor E.

Another one of the switches G, specifically identified in FIGURE 12 by the notation G2, is of the singlepole, double-throw type. The blade of switch G-IZ is connected by a conductor 178 to junction point 1726 on conductor 172. Blade 175 can be placed in engagement with either a

contact

180 or 182. Contact 180 is connected by a conductor 182 to one terminal of solemold 126, with the other terminal of this solenoid being connected by a conductor 184 to a contact 186 of a single-pole, double-throw switch 188 that includes a blade 19%). Blade 198 is connected by a conductor 192 to junction point 17412 on conductor 174. Contact 182 of switch G-2 has a conductor 194 extending therefrom to one terminal of solenoid 126'. The other terminal of solenoid 126' is connected by a conductor 196 to contact 1980f switch 1913. Switch 190, as can best be seen in FIGURE 11, is mounted on the upper end-of a bracket 2%, the lower portion of which is affixed to shaft '78. Switch 191) includes a rigid actuating member 202 that is adapted to pivot blade into engagement with either contact 186 or 198.

A longitudinally extending slot 284 is formed in the end portion 134) that is partially defined by two parallel 222 is partially defined by afiat surface 222a.

7 V 7 end edges 296 and 263. Actuating member 202 extends upwardly into the confines of slot 204. When the control ,mechanism F is in the second position (FIGURE 1), the

plate 114 has been advanced toward solenoid 126' as far as possible. As plate 114 completes its movement toward solenoid 126', slot edge 206; engages actuating member 292 to pivot it into a position wheretblade 196 is moved to engage contact 186, thus breaking the electrical circuit to solenoid 126', and preparing an electric circuit for completion to solenoid 126 when blade 175 of switchG-2 is moved into a position to engage contact 180. Of course, when solenoid 126 is energized to move control mechanism F includingplate 114 into the first position, the slot edge 208 at the completion of this movement will move actuating member 202 into a position to place blade 190 of switch 188 into engagement with contact 198. Solenoid 126' can thereafter be energized by moving blade 175 of switch G-2 into engagement with contact 182.

Reversal of direction of motor E to cause the first arm E to stop operating, and to assure reversal of direction.

of rotation of the motor when

blades

164, 166 are moved to another position. Thus, whilethe user Dis reclining on the invention as shown in FIGURE 1, he may, by manipulation of switches G-1 and G 2, cause the supporting member C to 'move in any one of the directions shown in FIGURES 2(a), (b), (c) or (d). A single-pole switch G-3 is preferably included inconductor 174. The switch G-S includes a blade 200 and contact 202, and when the switch is in the open position the invention is inoperative. v

A first alternate form of the invention is shown in FIGURE 13. In the first alternate form of the device, the supporting member C, base A, and suspension assemblies H are substituted for the supporting member C, base A and suspension assemblies H of the preferred form previously described. The supporting member C is rectangular, and has four cavities 210 extending upwardly from the lower surface thereof, located adjacent the corners of the member. Base A also has four cavities '212 formed therein that are in vertical alignment with cavities 210.

The suspension assemblies'H' each include an elongate rigid bar or rod 214 having two

balls

216 and 218 mounted on the ends thereof. Each ball 216 movably engages one of the cavities 212, and ball 218 the cavity situated directly therebelow. In this manner supporting member C is disposed above base A to permit the supporting member to move longitudinally, laterally or in a circular motion in a horizontal plane relative thereto. The balance of the first alternate form is structurally identical to the preferred form ofthe invention.

A second alternate form of the invention is illustrated in FIGURE 14. Two relatively wide identical strips 220 extend either transversely or longitudinally between the upper portions of side walls B" that are identical to side walls B. A supporting member C is provided 7 in which four identical shallow cavities 222 extend upwardly from thelower face thereof. Each of the cavities The cavities 222 are located near the corner portions of the supporting member C".

Similar cavities 224 are formed in strips 220, and are adapted to be vertically aligned with cavities 222.

Cavities 224 are partially defined by flat surfaces 224a.

Four identical balls 226 are provided which rollingly contact both surfaces 220a and 224a. Balls 226 serve to movably maintain supporting member C at a desired elevation above strips 220.

The operation of the invention has been described previously herein and need notbe repeated.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and therefore the invention is not limited by that which is shown in the drawings anddescribed in the specification, but only as defined in the appended claims.

I claim: a

1. In an exercising device: I

(a) a horizontal body supporting member;

(b) a base; I 1

(c) first means for movably supporting said body supporting member'at a substantially fixed elevation above said base;

(d) a reversible prime mover disposed at a fixed position relative to said base and located under said supporting member;

(e) a vertically disposed shaft driven by said prime mover;

(f) a circular cam eccentrically mounted on the upper end of said shaft;

(g) a rigid body having a cavity formed therein that is rotatably engaged by said cam; I

(h) a first horizontal arm extending outwardly from said body and disposed below said supporting member;

(i) a second horizontal arm having a recess formed in a first end thereof;

(j) second means for pivotally supporting said second arm from said first arm;

(k) third means for movably connecting said second arm to said body supporting member; 7

(l) a horizontal extension on said first arm projecting therefrom in a direction away from said first end of said second arm;

(m) a locking member;

(n) fourth means for slidably supporting said locking member for longitudinal and vertical movement only on said extension;

(0) fifth means for at all times urging said locking member toward said second arm to engage said recess formed therein; v

(p) sixth means for interlocking said locking member to said extension when said locking member is parallel thereto and said locking member is outof engagement with said recess;

(q) seventh means for reversing the direction of rotation of said prime mover;

(r) eighth means for stopping the rotation of said body, first and second arms, extension and locking member at a first position relative to said base when said prime mover rotates said shaft in a. counter clockwise direction and thereafter causing said body, first and second arms, extension and said locking member to reciprocate while in said first position;

(s) ninth means for stopping the rotation of said body,

first and second arms, extension and locking member at a second position relative to said base when said prime mover rotates said shaft in a clockwise direction and thereafter causing said body, first and second arms, extension and said locking member to reciprocate while in said second position; and

(t) control means for moving said locking member vertically to release saidv sixth means and to allow said fifth means to move said locking member to engage said recess as said body, first and second arms, extension and locking member reciprocate at said first or second positions and to move said locking member out of engagement with said .recess and return said locking member to said parallel position where said sixth means interlocks said locking member to said extension as said body, first and second arms, extension and locking member reciprocate at said first or second positions, with said reciprocation of said body, first and second arms, extension and locking member at said first and second positions when said locking member is not in engagement with said recess resulting in longitudinal and transverse reciprocal movement respectively of said supporting member relative to said base, with said reciprocation of said body, first and second arms, extension and locking member at said first and .sec- ,ond positions when said locking member is in engagement with said recess resulting in counter clockwise and clockwise orbital movement respectively of said supporting member relative to said base.

2. An exercising device as defined in claim 1 wherein said eighth and ninth means include:

:(a) vertical first and second shafts that project upwardly from said base adjacent said first and second positions;

(b) first and second resilient wheels rotatably supported on said first and second shafts at fixed elevations thereon, which device further includes;

() a horizontal rod that projects outwardly from said body, with said rod reciprocating against said first and second wheels when said body, first and second arm, extension and locking member are at said first and second positions.

3. An exercising device as defined in claim 2 which further includes:

(a) an engageable member on said locking member,

and said control means comprise:

(a) an elongate rigid plate having two longitudinally spaced slots formed therein through which said shafts project when said plate rests on said wheels;

(b) first and second engaging members disposed on first and second end portions of said plate, which engaging members are capable of engaging said engageable member when said locking member reciprocates at said first and second positions, with said engageable member when engaged by said first or second engaging member being prevented from reciprocating with said extension and as a result thereof said locking member is moved to a position on said extension where said sixth means interlock and said locking member is out of engagement with said recess; and

(c) first and second protuberances disposed on first and second end portions of said plate, which protuberances are capable of vertically raising said locking member relative to said extension when said locking member reciprocates at said first and second positions to contact said first and second protuberances, with said locking member when contacted by one of said protuberances moving to a position where said sixth means does not interlock and said fifth means moves said locking member to a position where said locking member engages said recess.

4. An apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said prime mover is an electric motor, said seventh means is a two-position normally open electric switch, and said apparatus further includes:

(a) an electric circuit connected to said motor and switch, with said switch when in a first position causing said circuit to supply electrical energy to said motor to cause said shaft to rotate in a counter clockwise direction, which switch when in said second position causes said motor to rotate in a clockwise direction.

5. A movement-imparting device as defined in claim 1 wherein rigid side walls are provided that extend upwardly from said base to a position adjacent said body-supporting member and said means for movably maintaining said body-supporting member at a desired elevation, comprising: four spaced rigid first bodies securely afiixed to said side walls at substantial distances above said base, each of which bodies has a downwardly extending bore and a counter bore of smaller diameter formed therein :10 that define a circular horizontal shoulder at the junction thereof; four first balls seated in said bores in said first bodies .and rotatably supported on said shoulders; four rods afiixed to said first balls, which rods extend downwardly through said counter bores in said first bodies; four second bodies, each of which has an upwardly extending lower bore and an upwardly extending counter bore formed therein that define a shoulder at the junction I thereof, with the lower portions of said rods-extending downwardly through said counter bores in said second bodies to enter said bores formed therein; four second balls affixed to the lower ends of said rods, said balls being disposed in said bores in said second bodies, with said body shoulders of said second bodies being movably supported on the upper surfaces of said second balls; four brackets extending upwardly from said second bodies to horizontally aligned positions above the upper edges of said side walls; and means for connecting the upper ends of said brackets to the under surface of said supporting member.

6. A movement-imparting device as defined in claim 5 which further includes position-stabilizing means for said load-supporting member which serve to prevent inadvertent pivotal movement of said load-supporting member in a horizontal plane relative to said side walls.

7. A movement-imparting device as' defined in claim 6 wherein said stabilizing meansincludes: two longitudinally aligned stub shafts aflixed to the interior surfaces of two of said side walls; two bifurcated membersthat are longitudinally spaced a distance less than that between the interior surfaces of said two side walls, which bifurcated members slidably and pivotally engage said stub shafts; shaft meanspthat rigidly joining said bifurcated members; and means for rotatably supporting said shaft means on the under side of said load-supporting member.

8. A mechanism adapted for use in selectively imparting a plurality of different movements to a movable load-supporting body, including: a prime mover; a shaft driven by said prime mover; a circular cam eccentrically mounted on one end of said shaft; a rigid body having a cavity formed therein in which said cam is rotatably mounted; a first arm extending outwardly from said body and normally disposed relative to said cavity; a second arm having a recess formed in a first end thereof; means for pivotally supporting said second arm from said first arm; means for movably connecting said second arm to said load-supporting body; an extension on said first arm projecting therefrom in a direction away from said first end of said second arm; a locking member; means for slidably supporting said locking member for longitudinal and vertical movement only on said extension and tend ing to hold said locking member in a position parallel to said extension; spring means for at all times urging said locking member toward said second arm to engage said recess formed therein to removably lock said first and second arms together; interlocking means on said locking member and said extension for maintaining said locking member in a position thereon when said locking member is in said parallel position wherein said locking member does not engage said recess formed in said second arm; means for vertically moving said locking member relative to said extension as said first and second arms are reciprocatedby rotation of said cam to cause said locking member to be moved by said spring means to said position where it engages said recess to lock said first and second arms together and change the motion of said load-supporting body from a first movement to a second movement; and means for moving said locking member on said extension from a position where it eugages said recess to a position where it is parallel to said extension with said interlocking means being engaged and the motion of said load-supporting body being changed from said second to said first movement.

9. A mechanism as defined in claim 8 wherein said looking member is provided with a rigid engageable member and said means for vertically moving said locking member relative to said extension comprises a rigid place said protuberance or said engaging'member in a position to be contacted by said engageable member as said first arm and extension reciprocate.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 973,770 Gates Oct. 25, 1910 1,970,233 Hertzberg Aug. 14, 1934 2,860,628 Staufli'er Nov. 18, 1958 2,908,271 Ware Oct. 13, 1959