US3656745A

US3656745A - Pull-type frictional resistance exercising device with guide means

Info

Publication number: US3656745A
Application number: US34745A
Authority: US
Inventors: Edgar E Holkesvick
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1967-12-26
Filing date: 1970-05-05
Publication date: 1972-04-18
Anticipated expiration: 1989-04-18

Abstract

An exercising device for use with a length of rope and adapted to have one end thereof fastened to a support while the length of rope is pulled back and forth therethrough. The exercising device includes two elongated leg members to receive turns of rope therearound, a neck-like guide portion between the leg members for guiding the rope from one leg member to the other leg member, a retaining bar adjacent the other ends of the leg members to prevent the turns of rope from slipping off the device, and an attachment member on the end of the guide member for supporting the device. A member is also provided adjacent the other end for preventing the portions of rope from becoming entangled.

Description

United States Patent Holkesvick [15] 3,656,745 [451 Apr. 18,1972

[54] PULL-TYPE F RICTIONAL RESISTANCE EXERCISING DEVICE WITH GUIDE MEANS Inventor: Edgar E. Holkesvick, 1801 Smokewood,

Fullerton, Calif. 92631 Filed: May 5, 1970 Appl. No.: 34,745

Related US. Application Data Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 693,206, Dec. 26, 1967, Pat. No. 3,510,132.

U.S. Cl. ..272/79 A Int. Cl ..A63b 21/00, A63b 23/04 Field of Search i 82/ l 90; 272/79 A, DIG. 3;

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,472,510 10/1969 Holkesvick ..272/79 A UX Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-William R. Browne Attorney-Nilsson, Robbins, Wills & Berliner [57] ABSTRACT An exercising device for use with a length of rope and adapted to have one end thereof fastened to a support while the length of rope is'pulled back and forth therethrough. The exercising device includes two elongated leg members to receive turns of rope therearound, a neck-like guide portion between the leg members for guiding the rope from one leg member to the other leg member, a retaining bar adjacent the other ends of the leg members to prevent the turns of rope from slipping off the device, and an attachment member on the end of the guide member for supporting the device. A member is also provided adjacent the other end for preventing the portions of rope from becoming entangled.

12 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPR 18 1922 3, 656.745

INVENTOR.

EDGAR E. I IOLKESUICK,

BY HIS flTTORNEVS lf/msso v, Rosa/N5, M145 9 Baku/wk PULL-TYPE FRICTIONAL RESISTANCE EXERCISING- DEVICE WITH GUIDEMEANS CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This is a continuation-in-part application of the same inventor, with application Ser. No. 693,206, filed Dec. 26, 1967, now US. Pat. No. 3,510,132.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to the physical conditioning art, and more particularly to a novel Frictional Rer sistance Exercising Device adapted for use in the home and on the athletic practice field, and by amateur athletes as well as by professional athletes.

At the present time, many men and women-and boys and girls participate in team and individual sports, both on an amateur basis and at the professional level; To a certain extent, in due course an athlete's skill and timing, as such, tend to reach a peak and level off. Consequently, in many instances the main determining factors between competingathletes are physical strength and endurance, which can be improved upon or increased by physical conditioning or exercising.

Also, because an increase in physical strength and endurance depends to a considerable extent upon thefrequency with which the athlete exercises, it is advantageous to be able to exercise in a home as well as on the athletic field or in a gymnasium.

In addition, because variousaccessories can be used with exercising devices, e.g., a head harness, a shoulder harness, and a running harness, it is advantageous to be able to quickly interchange such accessories.

Businessmen who spend a great amount of their time at a desk in an ofiice are often adivsed by their doctors to exercise in moderation as often as possible, in order to improve their general health.

There are many types of exercising devices for sale and in i use at the present time, but many of these are large and cumbersome such that they can only be used in gymnasiums, whereas others are unduly expensive, and some are extremely limited in the types of exercises which one can perform with them.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel Frictional Resistance Exercising Device which is small in size so that it can be easily transported from one locality to another, and which can be used in a home or on an athletic field or in a gymnasium.

Another object is to provide such an exercising device which is sturdy and of rugged construction so that it can be used by strong professional athletes as well as by less welldeveloped amateur athletes.

A further object is to provide an exercising device for use with a length of rope, in which the rope and the handle or harness attached thereto can be easily and quickly removed'and replaced with another length of rope provided with a different type of handle or harness.

Yet another object is to provide such an exercising device which can be easily and quickly adjusted to vary the frictional resistance by even the most inexperienced person, and which is relatively easy to understand and use.

A further and important object of the present invention is to provide such an exercising device which is relatively inexpensive and which can be mass-produced.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of an adjustable exercising device constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, shown being used with two-handed handles and in combination with a floorboard to which it is removably attached;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged elevational view of the exercising device shown in-FIG. l;

FIG. 3is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the line 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view of the attachment end of the exercising device of FIG. 1, showing a slightly modified construction;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of a modified form of exercising device embodying the same general inventive concept; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the line 66 in FIG. 5. I

Referring to the drawings more particularly by reference numerals, and specifically FIG. 1, the numeral 10 indicates generally the preferred form of an adjustable exercising device embodyingthe teachings of the present invention, provided with a length of rope 12 which has a two-handed handle 14 removably attached at each end thereof, and which is used in combination with a floorboard 16 by an athlete A.

As shown in FIG. 2, the exercising device 10 includes a frame which is preferably cast from a lightweight, non-corrosive metal such as aluminum, and which is of generally U- shaped configuration with opposed, elongated, cylindrical leg portions 18 which have smooth outer surfaces and which are of a length to receive several turns of the rope therearound, and which are interconnected at one set of ends by a curved portion 20. At the other set of ends is a cross-wide extending cylindrical retaining bar portion 22 with a smooth outer surface which is preferably cast integral with the leg portions 18. The retaining bar portion is preferably straight, or-at least not concave on the inside so that the portions of rope 12 are not caused to move together and rub, as will be discussed more fully hereinafter.

A rigid guide-bar portion 24 extends crosswise between the leg portions 18 adjacent the curved end portion 20 to provide a hook-receiving eye 26 therebetween, for a purpose to appear. The guide-bar portion 24 is also preferably cast integral with the leg portions 18.

Extending inthe direction of the curved portion 20, is a cylinderical neck-like guide element 28 which is preferably cast integral with the guide-bar portion 24.

Parallel with the retaining-bar portion 22 and spaced therefrom a distance greater than the diameter of the rope 12, is an elongated cylindrical guard bar 34 which is preferably cast integral with the leg portions 18.

A generally C-shaped, disengageable barrier member 36- (FIGS. 2 and 3) which is preferably made of spring material, has one end thereof fastened to the retaining bar 22, as with a machine screw 38, and the other end thereof extends to and partially encircles the guard bar 34. As shown in FIG. 3, the free end of the barrier member is bent away from the guard bar to provide a finger-engaging portion 40.

The barrier member 36 divides the space between the retaining bar 22 and the guard bar 34 into two separate passageways for receiving the rope 12, so as to preventthe two portions of rope from rubbing upon one another or from becoming entangled.

However, when it is desired to insert a bight portion of the rope between the retaining bar 22 and the guard bar 34 prior to wrapping the rope around the leg portions (as will be described more fully hereinafter), it is only necessary to disengage the free end of the barrier member 36 from the guard bar 34 by lifting upwardly on the finger-engaging portion 40 and move the free end away from the guard bar. After the rope has been inserted, the free end of the barrier member is released, and the spring-like material from which the member is .formed, causes the free end to reengage the guard bar 34.

As shown in FIG. 1, one method of using the exercising device 10 is with a floorboard 16 which is preferably made from plywood and of rectangular configuration and large enough so that the athlete A can stand on it. Fastened to the center of the board 16, and projecting upwardly therefrom, is a hook 42 which is adapted to extend through the eye 26 (FIG.

To insert the rope 12in the exercising device 10 and adjust it prior to the usage thereof, the center portion of the rope 12 is doubled back upon itself to form a loop or bight and the loop first inserted between the retaining bar 22 and the guard bar 34, the barrier member 36 being temporarily disengaged, as described above. The loop is then enlarged and passed over the curved portion 20 of the frame, then passed through the opening between the guard bar 34 and the guide bar 24, and

this sequence repeated to provide the desired number of turns of rope 12 on each leg portion 18. Finally, the loop of the rope 12 is dropped around the neck-like guide element 28. The result is illustrated in FIG. 2.

As will be obvious from the description of the operation of the device hereafter, the number of turns of rope 12 around each leg portion 18 determines the amount of force which is required to move the rope through the device, and therefore the amount of exercise which results.

I As mentioned above, one method of using the adjustable exthat the athlete A, in effect, is grasping both portions of the rope 12 which are connected to the exercising device.

He then proceeds as follows:

First, while holding the handle and the trailing portion of the rope 12, the athlete A pulls upwardly against. the handle for approximately seconds. This is the isometric portion of the exercise.

Secondly, while releasing the holding pressure on the trailing portion of the rope and permitting it to slide through the fingers, his legs are straightened and the handle pulled upwardly until the athlete A is in the upright position. This causes the rope 12 to slide through the exercising device and is the beginning of the isotonic portion of the exercise. When the rope 12 is moved through the exercising device 10, it is pulled around one of the leg portions 18, over the guide element 28, around the other leg portion 18 and between the retaining bar portion 22 and the guard bar 34.

Thirdly, the trailing portion of the rope 12 is dropped, and

the handle 14 pulled upwardly to a position under the chin, as shown in FIG. 1. And fourthly, the athlete A rotates the handle 14 and pushes it upwardly above his head, at the same time going up on his toes.

If the length of rope between the two handles 14 is properly adjusted, at the end of the aforementioned exercise the handle 14 on the trailing end of the rope will have been pulled to adjacent the exercising device 10, whereby the athlete A can grasp the other handle 14 in the manner previously described and repeat the exercise, in which case the portion of the rope first pulled upon then becomes the trailing portion.

In this manner, the length of rope 12 is moved back and forth through the exercising device, and in actuality around the leg portions 18 and around the guide element 28.

It will be readily apparent that the more turns of rope there are on each leg portion 18, the harder it will be for the athlete to move the handle 14 upwardly. The suggested procedure is to start with a minimum number of turns and gradually increase the number as the persons strength increases.

With another method of using the subject exercising device, the adjustable exercising device 10 and the floorboard 16 are used with a shoulder harness (not shown) fastened to one end of a rope. This accessory is particularly useful to basketball players in helping to develop their leg muscles for jumping purposes.

In use, the athlete inserts his arms through the two loops of the shoulder harness and the free end of the rope is pulled through the exerciser 10 until the athlete is in a crouch position with knees bent and shoulders back and head up. With the exerciser adjusted to the proper resistance the athlete presses with his legs to reach the standing position. The athlete can hold the free or tailing end of the rope or it can be held by the coach who can thereby cause an initial high resistance, followed by a lesser resistance.

One outstanding advantage of the subject exercising device is the ease and speed with which ropes with different accessories attached thereto can be interchanged. Thus, the athlete can start out with the rope l2 and two-handed handles as shown in FIG. 1 and easily change over to a shoulder harness which is fastened to a different length of rope. To accomplish this result, the athlete merely removes the loop of the rope 12 from engagement with the guide element 28, passes the loop over the curved portion 20 of the frame, and pulls on both portions of the rope adjacent the retaining bar 22 and the guard bar 34 until the bight or center of the rope engages the barrier member 34. The barrier member is then disengaged from the guard bar 34, and the rope 12 removed from the exercising device.

He then grasps the alternate rope (with the harness attached thereto), forms a loop or bight in it, inserts it between the guard bar and the retainer bar and loops it over the curved portion 20 and around the leg portions, as previously described.

A modified form of exercising device is shown in FIG. 4, wherein the leg portions 18, the guide bar portion 24 and the curved end portion 20 are the same but the short neck-like guide element 28 is replaced with a stud 30 which has a roller 32 rotatably mounted thereon. The operation of the devices shown in FIGS.2 and 4 are very similar; the main difference being that there is less friction at the guide element when the roller 32 is used and accordingly, substantially all of the frictional resistance is achieved at the leg portions 18.

In FIG. 5 there is shown a further modified exercising device 110, shown connected to a hook 50 which is mounted in a wall 51, or the like.

The device 110, like the device 10, is preferably of unitary construction and cast from a lightweight, non-corrosive metal such as aluminum. It is generally of rectangular configuration, with opposed, elongated, cylinderical leg portions 118 which have smooth outer surfaces and which are of a length to receive several turns of rope therearound, and which are interconnected at one set of ends by a transversely extending guide bar 124. If desired, the leg portions 118 and the guide bar 124 could be in the form of an inverted U".

Projecting from the guide bar 124 adjacent the center thereof, is a cylinderical neck-like guide portion 128 which has an enlarged free end with an aperture 52 therein for receiving the hook number 50.

A retainer bar 122 extends transversely between the leg portions 118 adjacent the other set of apposed'ends, and, like the guide bar 124, is preferably cast integral with the leg portions 118. Spaced from the retainer bar 122 a distance greater than the diameter of the rope 112 to be used with the device, is a guard bar 134 which also extends transversely between the leg portions 118 and which is also preferably formed integral therewith. It will be understood that the retainer and guard bars of the device of FIG. 5, are similar in construction and gperation to the retainer and guard bars of the device of FIG.

A disengagable barrier number 136 divides the space between the guard bar 134 and the retainer bar 122 into two separate rope-receiving passageways, for the purpose previously described.

The barrier number 136 (FIG. 6) has a tubular body portion 53 with a closed inner end and an outer end which is provided with a knurled knob 54. Opposed longitudinally extending slots 56 and 57 are formed in the wall of the body portion 53.

The retainer bar 122 contains a passageway 58 adjacent the center thereof for slidably receiving the tubular body portion 53, the free end of the body portion being received in a cavity 60 formed in the guard bar 134. A pin 62 extends through the retainer bar 122, and through the slots 56 and 57. Positioned within the body portion 53 is a coiled spring 64, one end of which engages the closed end of the body portion and the othesrzend bears against a washer 66 which is supported by the pm Thus, it will be apparent that by pulling on the knob 54, the

' user can retract or disengage the barrier number with the spring 64 being compressed and the pin 62 sliding in the slots 56 and 57, so as to permit the bight of the rope 112 to be inserted through the space between the guard bar 134 and the retainer bar 122, as previously described.

When the knob 54 is released, the spring 64 causes the free end of the body portion 53 to seat in the cavity 60, thereby separating or providing a barrier between the two portions of rope, as with the spring-like barrier number 36 of FIG. 2.

Thus, it is readily apparent that there have been provided several different forms of a novel adjustable exercising device,

which fulfill all of the objects and advantages sought therefor and which are especially meritorious because of their simplicity and relatively low cost.

It is to be understood that the foregoing description and accompanying drawings have been given by way of illustration and example, and that changes and alterations in the present disclosure which will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, are contemplated as within the scope of the present inventron.

What is claimed is:

1. An exercising device for use with a length of rope, comprising:

two elongated leg members with opposed sets of ends and smooth outer surfaces positioned side-by-side in spaced apart relationship, each leg member being of a length to receive several turns of rope therearound;

a rigid bar member joining together one set of ends;

neck-like guide means having a smooth outer surface for receiving a length of rope in engagement with said outer surface and guiding it from one leg member to the other leg member, said guide means extending from said bar member intermediate the ends thereof in a direction away from the other set of ends;

attachment means connected to the exercising device adjacent said guide means, for fastening the device to a support; and V retaining means on each leg member adjacent the other set of ends for preventing turns of rope from slipping off of said leg members.

2. An exercising device as defined in claim 1 which includes:

a length of rope wrapped at least partially around one leg member, thence around the neck-like guide means, and at least partially around the other leg member; and

a handle member adjacent each end of the rope.

3. An exercising device as defined in claim 1 in which the retaining means comprises a rigid member which extends between the leg members adjacent said other set of ends; and said exercising device further includes:

' a guard member interconnected with and extending between the leg members adjacent to and spaced from the retaining means a distance greater than the diameter of a rope to be used with the device.

4. An exercising device as defined in claim 3 which includes a disengagable barrier member extending between the retaining means and the guard member separating the space therebetween into two passageways.

5. An exercising device as defined in claim 4 in which the barrier member comprises a spring which has one end thereof fastened to the retaining member or the guard member, and

the other end thereof engages the other of said retaining or guard member.

6. An exercising device as defined in claim 1 in which the neck-like guide means has a longitudinal axis which is substantially in the plane formed by the leg members.

7. An exercising device for use with a length of rope, comprising:

two elongated leg members with opposed sets of ends positioned side-by-side in spaced apart relationship, each leg member being of a length to receive several turns of rope therearound; means joining together one set of ends and providing attachment means for fastening the device to a support; a llgld guide bar extending between the leg members adjacent to the attachment means;

neck-like guide means having a smooth outer surface extending from the guide bar toward said attachment means for receiving a length of rope in engagement with said outersurface and guiding it from one leg member to the other leg member; and 1 retaining means on each leg member adjacent the other set of ends for preventing turns of rope from slipping off of said leg members.

8. An exercising device as defined in claim 7 in which the retaining means comprises a rigid member which extends between the leg members adjacent said other set of ends; and said exercising device further includes:

a guard member extending between the leg members adjacent to and spaced from the retaining means a distance greater than the diameter of a rope to be used with the device; and

a disengagable barrier member extending between the retaining means and the guard member separating the space therebetween into two passageways for a rope.

9. An exercising device as defined in claim 7 in which the neck-like guide means has a longitudinal axis which is substantially in the plane formed by the leg members.

10. An exercising device for use with a length of rope, comprising:

two elongated leg members with opposed sets of ends positioned side-by-side in spaced apart relationship, each leg member being of a length to receive several turns of rope therearound;

a rigid guide bar interconnecting the leg members adjacent one set of ends;

neck-like guide means having an outer end, extending from the guide bar for receiving and guiding a length of rope from one leg member to the other leg member, said guide means extending in a direction away from the other set of ends;

an aperture adjacent the outer end of the neck-like guide means for attaching the device to a support; and

retaining means on each leg member adjacent the other set of ends for preventing turns of rope from slipping off of said leg members.

11. An exercising device as defined in claim 10 in which the retaining means comprises a rigid member which extends between the leg members adjacent said other set of ends; and said exercising device further includes:

a spring-biased disengagable barrier member extending between the retaining means and the guard member separating the space therebetween into two passageways for a rope.

12. An exercising device as defined in claim 10 in which the neck-like guide means has a longitudinal axis which is substantially in the plane fonned by the leg members.

Claims

1. An exercising device for use with a length of rope, comprising: two elongated leg members with opposed sets of ends and smooth outer surfaces positioned side-by-side in spaced apart relationship, each leg member being of a length to receive several turns of rope therearound; a rigid bar member joining together one set of ends; neck-like guide means having a smooth outer surface for receiving a length of rope in engagement with said outer surface and guiding it from one leg member to the other leg member, said guide means extending from said bar member intermediate the ends thereof in a direction away from the other set of ends; attachment means connected to the exercising device adjacent said guide means, for fastening the device to a support; and retaining means on each leg member adjacent the other set of ends for preventing turns of rope from slipping off of said leg members.

2. An exercising device as defined in claim 1 which includes: a length of rope wrapped at least partially around one leg member, thence around the neck-like guide means, and at least partially around the other leg member; and a handle member adjacent each end of the rope.

3. An exercising deviCe as defined in claim 1 in which the retaining means comprises a rigid member which extends between the leg members adjacent said other set of ends; and said exercising device further includes: a guard member interconnected with and extending between the leg members adjacent to and spaced from the retaining means a distance greater than the diameter of a rope to be used with the device.

5. An exercising device as defined in claim 4 in which the barrier member comprises a spring which has one end thereof fastened to the retaining member or the guard member, and the other end thereof engages the other of said retaining or guard member.

7. An exercising device for use with a length of rope, comprising: two elongated leg members with opposed sets of ends positioned side-by-side in spaced apart relationship, each leg member being of a length to receive several turns of rope therearound; means joining together one set of ends and providing attachment means for fastening the device to a support; a rigid guide bar extending between the leg members adjacent to the attachment means; neck-like guide means having a smooth outer surface extending from the guide bar toward said attachment means for receiving a length of rope in engagement with said outer surface and guiding it from one leg member to the other leg member; and retaining means on each leg member adjacent the other set of ends for preventing turns of rope from slipping off of said leg members.

8. An exercising device as defined in claim 7 in which the retaining means comprises a rigid member which extends between the leg members adjacent said other set of ends; and said exercising device further includes: a guard member extending between the leg members adjacent to and spaced from the retaining means a distance greater than the diameter of a rope to be used with the device; and a disengagable barrier member extending between the retaining means and the guard member separating the space therebetween into two passageways for a rope.

10. An exercising device for use with a length of rope, comprising: two elongated leg members with opposed sets of ends positioned side-by-side in spaced apart relationship, each leg member being of a length to receive several turns of rope therearound; a rigid guide bar interconnecting the leg members adjacent one set of ends; neck-like guide means having an outer end, extending from the guide bar for receiving and guiding a length of rope from one leg member to the other leg member, said guide means extending in a direction away from the other set of ends; an aperture adjacent the outer end of the neck-like guide means for attaching the device to a support; and retaining means on each leg member adjacent the other set of ends for preventing turns of rope from slipping off of said leg members.

11. An exercising device as defined in claim 10 in which the retaining means comprises a rigid member which extends between the leg members adjacent said other set of ends; and said exercising device further includes: a guard member extending between the leg members adjacent to and spaced from the retaining means a distance greater than the diameter of a rope to be used with the device; and a spring-biased disengagable barrier member extending between the retaining means and the guard member separating the space therebetween into two passageways for a rope.

12. An exErcising device as defined in claim 10 in which the neck-like guide means has a longitudinal axis which is substantially in the plane formed by the leg members.