US3079914A

US3079914A - Exercise machine

Info

Publication number: US3079914A
Application number: US161886A
Authority: US
Inventors: Bush Harold
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1961-12-26
Filing date: 1961-12-26
Publication date: 1963-03-05
Anticipated expiration: 1980-03-05

Description

March 5, 1963 BUSH EXERCISE MACHINE I Filed Dec. 26, 1961 INVENTOR. 59,9040 8051/ United States This invention relates to-an exercise machine and more particularly to a powered device operative to exert forces upon various portions of the users trunk. The therapeutic value of exercises such as lifting weights or chinning wherein forces are repeatedly applied to the participants arms and trunk is well recognized, and form an integral part of many calisthenics and body building programs. Previous machines have been devised for exercises such as rowing which allow the participant to perform arm and trunk exercises from a comfortable position. In these past machines, the participant has normally exerted the powering force which is absorbed in the devices mechanism. These machines are all passive in construction. The present invention is founded upon the concept that an active machine wherein the participant absorbs the powering force rather than generating it allows a wider variety of possible exercises as well as a fuller range of exercise force.

The present invention provides a basic rotary motion of a horizontal bar which the user may make contact with in a variety of ways so as to provide a range of exercising.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, which will be subsequently described in detail, the bar is supported in the horizontal plane and rotatably journaled at each of its ends to crank members which are rotated by an electric motor. The height of the bar mechanism is adjustable with respect to a user supporting base. The base takes the form of a plurality of rolls disposed in the horizontal plane with their axes parallel to that of the exercise bar. The bar is supported adjacent to one end of the rolls so that the participant may either support himself on the rolls or on the opposite side of the floor from the rolls. It is therefore seen to be the primary object of the present invention to provide an exercise device for use in connection with the arms and trunk which is simple in construction and capable of use in a variety of positions.

Other objects, advantages and applications of the pres ent invention will be made apparent by the following detailed description of two embodiments of the invention. The description makes reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the exercise device;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 taken along lines 22 of that figure;

FIG. 3 is a section through the gear mechanism taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a detailed view of an exercise bar which represents an alternative embodiment of the invention.

The exercise device is supported on a floor by a pair of base members disposed parallel to one another and joined, slightly inwardly of their ends, by a pair of transverse roll support members 12. A number of roll members 14 are disposed with their ends rotatably journalled in the members 12 in the rectangular space bordered by the members 10 and 12. These rolls 14 all have their axes parallel to one another and to the base members 10. The separation between the rolls 14 is just sufiicient to allow each to rotate independently.

A pair of vertical support members 16 are attached to the roll support members 12 adjacent to one of the base members 10 by a pair of brackets 18. At their upper ends, the vertical members 16 are joined by a cross member 20 so as to form a rigid framework.

The exercise bar comprises a circular rod 22 which is atent Egg journalled at each of its ends in bearings 24 which are afiixed to edges of disc shaped

crank members

26 and 28. The disc 28 is rotatably supported on an axle 30 which extends from an adjustable support bracket 32 wrapped about one of the vertical members 16. The bracket 32 is slidable along the vertical support 16 and may be adjusted to any position by a lock screw 34.

The disc 26 is attached to an axle 36 which is rotatable within a housing 38. A gear 40 is also attached to the axle 36 and is in mesh with a second gear 42 also supported within the housing. The gear 42 is connected to a shaft of an electric motor 44 that is supported on the housing 38. The housing 38 is movable vertically along support member 16 by means of an adjustable bracket 46 which may be fixed by a lock screw 48.

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternate form of exercise bar which may be used in connection with the present invention. A bar 50 is fixed between a pair of discs 52 which form the exact equivalents of the

discs

26 and 28 and are powered in the same manner. While the bar 50 is not rotatable with respect to the discs 52, it contains a pair of dished grip handles 54 which surround the bar and are rotatable with respect to it.

An exerciser may make use of the present invention in any of several ways. In one manner of use he may occupy a sitting position on top of the rolls 14 facing the bar 22 and grasping it with his palms in an upward position. The motor 44 is then energized by suitable circuitry (not shown) so as to cause the disc 28 to rotate at a lower speed than the motor 44 as a result of the reduction provided by the

gears

40 and 42. The resultant orbiting of the bar 22 about the centers of suspension of the discs .26 and 28 causes forces of alternating direction to be applied to the arms of the exerciser and to be transmitted through his trunk to the rolls 14. The frictional resistance of the rolls causes reaction forces upon the muscles of the ex erciser.

When utilizing the embodiment of FIG. 4, the exerciser graps the members 54 rather than the bar itself.

A wide variety of other exercise may be performed in connection with the apparatus of the invention. By way of example, the exerciser may either stand or sit on the floor on the opposite side from the vertical member 16 than the rolls occupy. He is then in a position to apply greater forces to resist the rotation of the exercise bar 22.

By adjusting the height of the

brackets

32 and 46 along the bars 16, the apparatus may be adjusted to various heights for the performance of different exercises and for the accommodation of exercising of difi'erent physical statures.

It is also within the contemplation of the present invention to provide adjustable speed or adjustable torque mechanism immediately adjacent the motor 44 and the exercise bar 22 or 50. Other variations on the apparatus may be made within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In an exercise machine, of the type described, in combination: a base; a pair of vertical support members extending upwardly from said base; a rotary drive mechanism adjustably fixed to one of said vertical supports; a first crank member rotated by said drive mechanism; a second crank member adjustably supported on the other vertical support; and a bar having its end-s afiixed to the two crank members so as to cause it to rotate about a center displaced from and parallel to its axis.

2. In an exercise machine, of the type described, in combination: a rectangular base; a plurality of rolls disposed with their axes parallel to one another in the horizontal plane affixed to said base; a pair of vertical support members rising from opposite sides of said base adjacent to the opposite ends of one of the extremely positioned rolls; a

3 rotary drive mechanism afiixed to one of said support members; a horizontal bar having its ends coupled to said support members; and means, driven by said rotary drive s ha aus n said. horiz n ba t or bo 'hc i nt is- ;3.,In an exercise machine, of the type described, in combination: a rectangular base; a plurality of rolls disposedwith their axes parallel to one another in the horilzonta'l plane afiixed to said base; a. pair of verticalsupport members rising from opposite sides of said base adjacent to the opposite ends of one of the extremely positioned rolls; a rotary drive mechanism afilxed to one of saidsupport members; a horizontal bar having its ends coupled to i horizontal axis; and a pair of grips rotatably aflixed to spaced points on said horizontal bar.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Vanderboss July 13, 1909 Clark Aug. 11, '19573 Berne Oct. 11, 1960'

Claims

1. IN AN EXERCISE MACHINE, OF THE TYPE DESCRIBED, IN COMBINATION: A BASE; A PAIR OF VERTICAL SUPPORT MEMBERS EXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM SAID BASE; A ROTARY DRIVE MECHANISM ADJUSTABLY FIXED TO ONE OF SAID VERTICAL SUPPORTS; A FIRST CRANK MEMBER ROTATED BY SAID DRIVE MECHANISM; A SECOND CRANK MEMBER ADJUSTABLY SUPPORTED ON THE OTHER VERTICAL SUPPORT; AND A BAR HAVING ITS ENDS AFFIXED TO THE TWO CRANK MEMBERS SO AS TO CAUSE IT TO ROTATE ABOUT A CENTER DISPLACED FROM AND PARALLEL TO ITS AXIS.