US3608896A

US3608896A - Training devices for ballet and ice skating

Info

Publication number: US3608896A
Application number: US743903A
Authority: US
Inventors: Pierre Brunet
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1968-07-10
Filing date: 1968-07-10
Publication date: 1971-09-28
Anticipated expiration: 1988-09-28

Abstract

An exercise and training device for ballet and figure skating performers having pivotally interconnected front and rear panel members defining a narrow elongated slot therebetween for retaining the user''s feet in oppositely extending directions, and screw means for adjusting the spacing of said front member relative to said rear member. Once properly adjusted, the performer may stand between said panel members and be snugly gripped thereby to facilitate bending backwardly and forwardly for loosening and strengthening various muscles of the body. Such exercising is further facilitated by the fact that the performer''s feet may be moved laterally various distances during the exercising period.

Description

all

States Patent SKATING 9 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 272/57 D, 272/703 [51] int. Cl A63b23/04, A63b 69/00 151)] Field of Search 272/70, 70.3, 70.4, 57, 60; 101/297. 287, 298

|5o| References Cited 18,527 111/1857 Morse 1. 101/287 138.600 5/1873 Kelsey 101/297 195,247 9/1877 Atwater Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham Assistant ExaminerPaul E. Shapiro Attorney-Woodhzims, Blanchard and Flynn ABSTRACT: An exercise and training device for ballet and figure skating performers having pivotally interconnected front and rear panel members defining a narrow elongated slot therebetween for retaining the user's feet in oppositely ex tending directions, and screw means for adjusting the spacing of said front member relative to said rear member. Once properly adjusted, the performer may stand between said panel members and be snugly gripped thereby to facilitate bending backwardly and forwardly for loosening and strengthening various muscles of the body. Such exercising is further facilitated by the fact that the performer's feet may be moved laterally various distances during the exercising period.

PATENIEU SEP28 :sn

SHEEY E OF 2 INVENTOR. PU/V 7 TRAINING DEVICES FOR BALLET AND ICE SKATING BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to an exercising device and more particularly to a device which permits an individual to perform exercises by bending the trunk of the body backward or forward as the legs are held fixedly in a selected position.

The beginning student of ballet or figure skating is quick to realize that a great deal of exercise and training is required in the development and retention of the graceful and well formed backward and forward bending actions of the body. Numerous muscles previously unaccustomed to such actions must be taught to coordinate with other muscles. Several muscles, such as the biceps femoris, vastus externus, rectus abdominis and other must be strengthened and elongated.

In the past, various methods and devices have been proposed for muscular development. For example, directions, for many years, ballet students have exercised by bending forward or backward over a bar or rail. Although such exercising will develop the desired muscles if properly executed, there are rather substantial disadvantages, For example, there is no assurance that the student will retain a proper positioning of the legs during the period of exercise. Even though the student begins in a proper position, such as with the feet pointing outwardly in opposite directions,c8 the natural tendency of the body may soon cause the student to assume an incorrect position with the feet pointing at least somewhat in the same direction. Another device shown in a prior patent provides a means for exercising the legs by moving the feet to point in opposite directions. Although this device does stretch certain muscles, it does not provide a means especially adapted for exercising by the bending backward and forward of the trunk of the body while the feet are in this aligned position. This device also fails to permit lateral movement of the feed during exercising.

It is therefore highly desirable that an apparatus be provided for the exercising of ballet and figure skating performers which will retain the feet in a position wherein they each point in a direction away from the other and at the same time provide an apparatus which will hold the hips and knees in a proper relationship to each other. To the best of applicants knowledge, there has until the'present invention been no such apparatus devised.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION More specifically, the ultimate objective of the invention is to train the user of a device embodying the invention to artistically perform with grace, balance and control; if an ice skater, the spread eagles and related moves and if a ballet dancer, the seconde position a terre" and similar and related positions. This ultimate artistic objective can only be achieved by first attaining a certain physiological objective, namely, to be able to fully turn out both feet:

1. With ease and without strain,

2. When in an erect body position,

3. By outward rotation of the hip and not by foot movement,

4. With proper pelvic position, i.e., with rump tucked in and under,

5. With the entire base of both feet touching the floor, i.e., without inversion or eversion of the feet,

6. With slightly more of the weight on the outside of the feet than on the inside,

7. With the knees straight open and in line from hip to toe,

8. And achieving such positioning with distances varying from approximately 12 to 18 inches between the heels.

This invention "makes possible a carefully controlled exercise which permits the user to attain the above-stated physiological objective which, in turn, makes possible the achievement of the above-stated artistic objective. The device accomplishes the objective by promoting a conditioning of the hip joint and rendering flexible and elastic the associated leg and pelvic muscles, ligaments and tendons while developing a sense of balance. The feet, knees and pelvis are held fixed in a correct position and alignment thereby providing a carefully disciplined posture.

The user may remain locked in the device for increasing intervals of time, perhaps beginning with 5 minutes and gradually increasing to 30 minutes or more, thereby stretching, limbering, relaxing and releasing the various proper muscles, ligaments and tendons, which hold and control the leg attachment to the pelvis at the hip joint. The adjusting screw permits the user to regulate the amount of pressure applied at the knees, thus stretching and releasing the abductory muscles and permitting outward rotation of the hip joint.

Therefore, the specific objects of the present invention include:

1. To provide an apparatus for the exercising of ballet and figure skating performers whereby various muscles may be strengthened and elongated as said muscles are taught to operate in coordination.

2. To provide an apparatus, as aforesaid, in which the feet may be held in a position where they are pointing away from each other with the knees and hips retained in the proper position as the participant performs various exercises.

3. To provide an apparatus, as aforesaid, in which the participant need not be concerned about retaining the proper position during the period of exercising.

4. To provide an apparatus, as aforesaid, which can be entirely operated by a single individual without assistance.

5. To provide an apparatus, as aforesaid, in which the feet may be located at various distances from each other as the ex ercises are performed.

Various other objectives and advantages will be recognized by those involved in the development of ballet and figure skating performers upon reading the following description and examining the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of the ballet train ing device.

FIG. 2 shows a rear perspective view of the invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the invention taken along the line lll--III in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the invention similar to FIG. 3 with the device in a closed position.

FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of another modified embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the device of FIG. 5 taken along line Vl-Vl in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 shows a modified embodiment of the device suitable for use by an ice skater.

For the purpose of convenience in description, the terms upward," downward, leftward, rightwar and words of similar reference will refer to the structure of the invention and parts associated therewith as appearing in FIGS. 1 and 3. The terms inner, outer" and words of similar import will have reference to the geometric center of said apparatus and parts thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The ballet training device I0 is comprised of a base I1, a front surface member 112, a rear surface member 13, brace 14 and an adjusting means 16.

The base 11 comprises a substantially horizontal portion 17 and a short vertical leg 18. Leg I8 and rear member 13 may be secured to portion 17, such as by bolts w. Rear member 13 is constructed of sheet material and has disposed approximately in the center thereof a vertically elongated opening 20 for purposes hereinafter discussed. A plurality of holes 21 are disposed adjacent each side of opening 20.

The brace 14 is hingedly secured to the rear of member I3, such as by hinge 22. Said hinge 22 may be attached to rear member 13 by suitable means, such as bolts 23, and secured to brace 14 by similar means, such as bolts 24. The brace 14 may be mounted so that it may be positioned snugly adjacent rear portion 13 when the training device is being stored or transported and may be moved to a position with the lower end spaced from base 11 when the device 10 is in use. A suitable means 26, such as a rope or cord, may be provided for limiting the distance the lower end of the brace 14 may be spaced from base 11. A pair of holes 27 and 28 (FIG. 2) may be provided in member 13 through which cord 26 may extend, being secured therein, such as by knot 29 (FIG. 3). Cord 26 may also be secured relative to brace 14 to prevent upward or downward displacement, such as by

notches

31 and 32.

Front member 12 is pivotally mounted in respect to base 11. Outward displacement of the lower extremity of front member 12 is prevented, such as by

metal straps

33 and 34. In the preferred embodiment, said straps 33 and 34 are the sole means of retaining the pivotal relationship between front portion 12 and base portion 11. This provides for a very simple, yet effective, means of disassembling the training device for storage or transportation as will be hereinafter described.

Straps

33 and 34 may be secured by conventional means to front leg 18 such as by screws 36. Alternatively, member 12 may be mounted to base 11 by a pair of hinges. A vertically disposed elongated opening 37 is provided in front portion 12, said opening being similar to the opening in member 13. A plurality of holes 38 are located adjacent each side of opening 37. A pair of knee cushions or

pads

41 and 42 may be secured to the inner surface of member 12 such as by a suitable adhesive. Alternatively, knee cushions 41 and 42 may be mounted on screw members and/or adjustable swivel sockets such that cushions 41 and 42 can be properly positioned in accordance with the particular shape of the users knees. A strip 44 may be attached to base 11 if the person using the device requires a narrower slot for his feet.

Base 11, front member 12, rear member 13 and brace 14 may be constructed of any suitable material, such as wood, plastic or metal. Preferably, the rear member 13 has a vertical dimension such that the upper edge 43 of said member 13 will contact the participants body above the hips. The front member 12 may be slightly shorter than rear member 13.

The adjusting means 16 has a socket 47 which is mounted to front member 12 by a pair of bolts 48 which are secured in holes 38. The central opening 49 in socket 47 is aligned with opening 37 in front member 12. The adjusting means 16 also includes an internally threaded member 51, or nut, which is mounted to rear member 13 by a pair of bolts 52 which are secured in holes 21. The opening 53 in threaded member 51 is aligned with opening 20 in rear member 13 and opening 49 in socket 47. In order to provide a more secure mounting of socket 47 and threaded member 51, particularly if front portion 12 and rear portion 13 are constructed of a relatively soft material such as wood, a washer or metal plate 54 may be used. A screw 55 is rotatably mounted in socket 47 and threadedly engaged with member 51, as said screw extends through opening 37 in front member 12 and opening 20 in rear member 13. Screw 55 has a head 56 at one end including a handle 57. Said handle may be provided on the ends with rubber guards 58.

OPERATION Although the operation of the ballet training device 10 has been somewhat indicated above, it will be further detailed below in order to insure a more complete understanding of the device. A performer 59 may step into the training device 10 without assistance. The performer places his left foot into the device such that it is pointing in a leftward direction and then places his right foot into the device so that it is pointing in a rightward direction. In such position, as the performer is facing forward, he may, by bending forward, grasp the handle 57 in his hands. By rotating handle 57, the performer may cause front portion 12 and rear portion 13 to move closer together until the performers legs are snugly retained therebetween.

Once the performer is thus secured in the device 10 (FIG. 4), he may commence the exercises, such as extending his trunk backward and downward in a clockwise direction, thus lengthening and stretching the muscles in the front portions of his legs and body and permitting outward rotation of the hips. The performer may strengthen the muscles in the front portions of his legs and body by repeatedly lowering his trunk backward and then raising the trunk. The performer may also exercise a different set of muscles by doing similar exercises in the forward direction. If the front portion 12 and the rear portion 13 are properly adjusted so that they snugly retain the legs yet do not tightly retain them, the feet may be placed various distances apart as such exercises are being carried out. It should be noted that even though the legs are provided with some freedom in lateral movement, the foot, knee and hip will be retained in a proper relationship to each other. The performer may easily release himself from the exercising and training device by turning handle 57 in an opposite direction, thereby causing front portion 12 and rear portion 13 to move apart.

If one wishes to disassemble the device for storing or transporting, one may rotate handle 57 until screw 55 becomes disengaged from threaded member 51. The front member 12 can then be easily lifted from its position on base 11.

MODIFICATIONS The structure of the modified ballet-training device 10A (FIGS. 5 and 6) is similar to ballet training device 10 and the corresponding parts thereof will be referred to by the same reference numerals, however, with the suffix A added thereto. The ballet-training device 10A has a front surface member 12A, a rear surface member 13A, a brace 14A and a first adjusting means 16A. The brace 14A is in this embodiment fixedly attached at its upper end to rear surface member 13A by conventional means, such as bolts (not shown) and by block 61. The lower end of brace 14 is secured to rear surface member 13A by brace member 62. Ballet-training device 10A does not have a base member corresponding to base 11 of training device 10, but rather the user stands on the supporting surface such as a floor. The ballet-training device 10A includes a second adjusting means 63. The adjusting means 63 may be constructed substantially the same as adjusting means 16A and has a socket 64 which is mounted to front member 12A by conventional means such as bolts (not shown). The adjusting means 63 also includes an internally threaded member 66 mounted to rear member 13A by conventional means. A screw 67 which is rotatably mounted in socket 64 and threadedly engaged in member 66, has a head 68 at one end thereof for the purpose of adjusting said screw. The ad justment means 63 is disposed in the lower portions for adjustment of front surface member 12A and rear surface member 13A to provide adjustment thereof in accordance with the width of the feet of the particular user.

The ice-skating training device 108 (FIG. 7) is constructed similar to ballet-training device 10 and is comprised of a base 118, a front surface member 128, a rear surface member 133, a brace 14B and an adjusting means 168. Training device 108 is provided with a slot 76 in base 118 for reception of the blades 77 of the users ice skates. The brace 14B is fixed relative to rear surface member 13B rather than being collapsible and has a blade 78 similar to the blade of an ice skate disposed at its lower end for the support of the training device 108 on the ice. A pair of similar blades of which one appears at 79 is provided as part of vertical leg 188 for support of the forward portion of training device 108. The operation of the ice-skating training device 108 is substantially the same as the operation of ballet-training device 10 with the additional feature that the user may be put into motion on the ice during the period of exercising.

Any of the foregoing embodiments of the invention may, if desired, be provided with blocks 71 and 72 as illustrated in FIG. 6, to cause the feet 73 and 74 of the user to point slightly rearwardly and thereby to cause the hips to rotate still further in an outward direction.

Although particular preferred embodiments of the invention have been described hereinabove for purposes of illustration, it will be apparent that variations or modifications thereof which lie within the scope of the appended claims are fully contemplated.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

l. A training device for ballet and the like comprising:

front and rear wall means movable toward and away from one another and a base secured relative to at least one of said front and rear wall means, said rear wall means being retained in rigid relationship to said base and having a brace extending rearwardly therefrom for providing stability and for retaining said rear wall means in a preselected position with respect to a supporting surface, and said front wall means being retained in pivotal relationship to said base and said rear wall means;

means for retaining said front and rear wall means in spaced relationship to one another, said retaining means including adjustable means for controlling the pivotal movement of said front wall means;

said adjustable means being vertically adjustable relative to said training device and including an internally threaded member mounted relative to said rear wall means and a socket means mounted relative to said front wall means, a horizontal screw means rotatably retained in said socket means and threadedly engaged in said threaded member, and means mounted on the forward end of said screw means for rotating said screw means; and

said front and rear wall means including opposite surface means defining an elongated narrow slot therebetween for retaining the feet of the user in oppositely extending directions.

2. The device defined in claim 1 including a spacer strip disposed adjacent said rear wall means and upon said base.

3. The device defined in claim 2 wherein said front wall means is retained in pivotal relationship to said base by a plurality of straps, whereby said device may be disassembled by disengaging said horizontal screw means from said threaded member and subsequently lifting said front wall means from said base.

4. The device as defined in claim 1 including a pair of spacer blocks attached to said front wall means whereby the feet of the user are caused to point slightly rearwardly.

5. The device of claim 1 including a slot means in said base for permitting projection of ice skate blades therethrough and blade means for supporting said device on an ice surface.

6. An ice-skating training device comprising:

a base member having a downwardly extending blade for support thereof and a longitudinal slot for reception of the blade of an ice skate;

a rear surface member retained in rigid relationship to said base member and having a rigid, rearwardly extending brace with a support blade disposed at the lower end thereof;

a front surface member retained in pivotal relationship to said base member and said rear surface member; and

screw means for adjusting said front and rear surface members in spaced relationship to one another.

7. A training device for ballet and the like, comprising:

front and rear wall means movable toward and away from one another;

means for retaining said front and rear wall means in spaced relationship to one another and in a preselected position with respect to a supporting surface;

said front and rear wall means including opposite surface means defining an elongated narrow slot therebetween for retaining the feet of the user in oppositely extending directions;

said front and rear wall means respectively comprising front and rear panel members spaced opposite one another and extending approximately in a vertical direction, and a base member extending between and interconnecting the lower edges of said front and rear panel members whereby said base member in cooperation with the lower most portion of said front and rear panel members defines said elongated narrow slot; and

resilient pads secured to the inner surfaces of said front panel member and disposed for contact with the knees of the user.

8. A device according to claim 7 further including adjustment means for permitting selected pivotal movement of one of said panel members toward and away from the other of said panel members.

9. A device according to claim 8 wherein said adjustment means includes an elongated rotatable screw member interconnected between said panel members for permitting adjustment in the relative position therebetween, said screw member having a manually engageable handle disposed on one end thereof adjacent the external side of one of said panel members for permitting said screw member to be rotated by the user of the device when the users feet are positioned within said elongated slot.

Claims

1. A training device for ballet and the like comprising: front and rear wall means movable toward and away from one another and a base secured relative to at least one of said front and rear wall means, said rear wall means being retained in rigid relationship to said base and having a brace extending rearwardly therefrom for providing stability and for retaining said rear wall means in a preselected position with respect to a supporting surface, and said front wall means being retained in pivotal relationship to said base and said rear wall means; means for retaining said front and rear wall means in spaced relationship to one another, said retaining means including adjustable means for controlling the pivotal movement of said front wall means; said adjustable means being vertically adjustable relative to said training device and including an internally threaded member mounted relative to said rear wall means and a socket means mounted relative to said front wall means, a horizontal screw means rotatably retained in said socket means and threadedly engaged in said threaded member, and means mounted on the forward end of said screw means for rotating said screw means; and said front and rear wall means including opposite surface means defining an elongated narrow slot therebetween for retaining the feet of the user in oppositely extending directions.

6. An ice-skating training device comprising: a base member Having a downwardly extending blade for support thereof and a longitudinal slot for reception of the blade of an ice skate; a rear surface member retained in rigid relationship to said base member and having a rigid, rearwardly extending brace with a support blade disposed at the lower end thereof; a front surface member retained in pivotal relationship to said base member and said rear surface member; and screw means for adjusting said front and rear surface members in spaced relationship to one another.

7. A training device for ballet and the like, comprising: front and rear wall means movable toward and away from one another; means for retaining said front and rear wall means in spaced relationship to one another and in a preselected position with respect to a supporting surface; said front and rear wall means including opposite surface means defining an elongated narrow slot therebetween for retaining the feet of the user in oppositely extending directions; said front and rear wall means respectively comprising front and rear panel members spaced opposite one another and extending approximately in a vertical direction, and a base member extending between and interconnecting the lower edges of said front and rear panel members whereby said base member in cooperation with the lowermost portion of said front and rear panel members defines said elongated narrow slot; and resilient pads secured to the inner surface of said front panel member and disposed for contact with the knees of the user.

8. A device according to claim 7, further including adjustment means for permitting selected pivotal movement of one of said panel members toward and away from the other of said panel members.

9. A device according to claim 8, wherein said adjustment means includes an elongated rotatable screw member interconnected between said panel members for permitting adjustment in the relative position therebetween, said screw member having a manually engageable handle disposed on one end thereof adjacent the external side of one of said panel members for permitting said screw member to be rotated by the user of the device when the user''s feet are positioned within said elongated slot.