US3679203A

US3679203A - Exercising stand

Info

Publication number: US3679203A
Application number: US101496A
Authority: US
Inventors: Vito Grana
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1970-12-28
Filing date: 1970-12-28
Publication date: 1972-07-25
Anticipated expiration: 1989-07-25

Abstract

An exercising stand is disclosed herein having a pair of tubular side members pivotally joined together at one end so as to be pivoted between a first position for storage purposes and a second position for exercising purposes. Retainers are carried on the side members for slidably receiving an inverted U-shaped member constituting a back support extending between the side members when in their second position. Hand grips are carried on each of the side members adjacent the end opposite to the pivotally connected ends. A shoulder cushion is carried on each of the side members disposed between the back support and the hand grip.

Description

United States Patent Grana [4 1 July 25, 1972 s41 EXERCISING STAND 3,287,016 11/1966 Mayer ..272/57 R x [72] Inventor: Vito Grana, 15224 La Maida St., Sherman Oaks Cahf' 91403 3,591,173 7/1971 Gossman ..272/60 [22] Filed: Dec. 28, 1970 Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham [21] Appl' lm496 Assistant Examiner-Richard J. Apley Attorney-Roger A. Marrs [52] U.S. Cl ..272/60 [51] Int. Cl. ..A63b 23/02 ABSTRACT [58] Field of Search "272/57 62; 9 An exercising stand is disclosed herein having a pair of tubular side members pivotally joined together at one end so as to be pivoted between a first position for storage purposes and a [56] Re'mnm Cited second position for exercising purposes. Retainers are carried UNITED STATES PATENTS on the side members for slidably receiving an inverted U- shaped member constituting a back support extending 1,705,745 3/ 1929 Anderson ..272/57 R between the side members when in their second position 2,759,730 8/1956 "272/58 Hand grips are carried on each of the side members adjacent 2,919,913 Horn-m the end opposite to the pivotally connected ends. A shoulder 3,077,347 2/ 1963 Nova 272/60 cushion is carried on each of the side members disposed 3,1 14,545 12/1963 HOl'n.... .....272/60 between the k Support d the hand grill 3,l73,415 3/1965 Rubin ..272/60 X 3,178,180 4/1965 Morgan ..272/57 R 11 Claim, 5 Drawing Figures EXERCISING STAND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to physical exercising devices and, more particularly, to a novel device adapted to not only exercise the muscles of the hips and body trunk but one which is effective to exercise and strengthen, without great muscular effort, the muscles of the thighs, back and legs.

2. Description of the Prior Art In general, the concept of exercise, whether for developing the physique or for the purpose of weight reduction, involves expending a substantial amount of time and physical effort to obtain observable results. Furthermore, such exercise or weight reduction frequently requires equipment that is rather expensive and beyond the means of many who desire to exercise or reduce. Many portable exercisers have been employed in the past, but these have usually required the use of weights or resilient members, such as springs or elastic cords, and in addition, have usually been directed to developing the arms and chest of the user without regard for the rest of the torso and legs. Many of these have required direct mounting on a wall or the use of a wall for body support, while nearly all of them have required a considerable space in which to use them properly. Examples are disclosed in U. S. Pat. Nos. 3,l 14,545; 3,077,347; and 2,919,9l8.

Other attempts have been directed towards providing an exercising device which is capable of exercising the hips, thighs, legs and abdomen of the user by providing a platform freely swiveled on a base supported on the floor. A person, in using this device, freely swivels the hips and legs without having to act against the restraining force of springs or other restraining means whereby effective exercise may be obtained with a minimum of physical exertion and requiring but relatively short periods of time to obtain beneficial results. Several such swiveled or rotatable platforms are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,063,714; 3,100,639; and 2,351,293. All of these devices are dynamic since they move during usage and therefore require a good sense of balance; otherwise, the devices are dangerous to use.

However, problems and difficulties have been encountered with such conventional exercising apparatus which are distinguished from each other in that a greater effort must be expended by the person using the device in order to balance on a rotating platform or against a wall. This factor increases the rigor and skill required to perform the exercise and delays development of the muscles used in these exercises. Consequently, this rotary action and/or dependency on fixed wall support has the tendency of tightening the muscles at the point of maximum contraction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the difficulties and problems encountered with conventional balance exercisiong devices are obviated by the present invention which provides a novel portable exerciser that provides stationary platform means on which the user may selectively stand on his shoulders in an inverted position so as to primarily exercise the hip, back, arm and thigh muscles as well as the leg and ankel muscles.

In one embodiment of the invention, the novel portable ex erciser provides a platform means comprising a pair of identical side members having a pivotal connection at a selected one of its ends so that the side members may assume a first position side-by-side for storage purposes and a second position spread apart for exercising purposes. Means are detachably mounted between the side members for supporting the back of the user when in his inverted exercising position. Hand grips are carried on each of the side members disposed between the hand drip and the back support. Means are provided for releasably securing the exerciser in its second position.

By employing only the exerciser of the present invention, the user may readily exercise hip, back and thigh muscles, as well as the leg and ankle muscles. Consequently, a greater variety of muscular activity can be experienced by the user than can be otherwise achieved when employing conventional devices.

Therefore, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a novel exercising device which permits the user to exercise muscles associated with major portions of his body by selectively choosing to stand on a primary platform.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel portable exerciser of a shoulder stand type wherein the user may readily stand on his shoulders and support his back without the use of a stationary or fixed wall so that a variety of body muscles can be simultaneously exercised.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel shoulder stand exerciser which may be readily adjusted to accommodate a desired degree of strain to be encountered by the person using the device.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel exercising and/or reducing device incorporating a stationary platform which requires but little effort every day for a person to obtain noticeable beneficial results both in strengthening the muscles of the body and in reducing the waistline.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a novel exerciser incorporating a pair of identical side members forming a stationary platform wherein a back support and lateral shoulder rests are provided with cushion material sufficient to comfortably support the weight of a user.

Still another object of the invention resides in the provision of a novel portable exercising apparatus which is readily adapted for folding between a storage position and an exercising position and which includes detachable fasteners and a slidable member in its foldable construction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the novel exerciser of the present invention illustrated in actual usage by a person shown in an inverted position;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the exerciser illustrated in its exercise position ready for use;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view, partly broken away and in section, of a releasable fastener employed in the exerciser shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the exerciser illustrated in its folded position for storage purposes; and

FIG. 5 is a reduced fragmentary view of another embodiment of the present invention modified to include earth supports for the stationary platform.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. I, the novel shoulder type exerciser of the present invention is indicated in the general direction of arrow 10 which includes a stationary platform collectively identified by numeral 11 which supports the body of a person 12. When in use, it can be seen that the person 12 is inverted so that his head is adjacent the supporting floor or ground 13 while his feet extend upwardly in a substantially vertical plane. A feature of the present invention resides in the fact that a back support 14 is provided with a cushion 15 positioned against the upper back or shoulders of the user. The 'users shoulders are resting on shoulder cushions 16 while the user's hands grasp hand grips 17 carried on the top of the stationary platform 11. The shoulder cushions 16 are disposed between the back support 15 and the hand grip 17. To gain the inverted position shown in FIG. 1, it is required that the user place his head in a position substantially as shown and with his shoulunnu ders on the cushions 16. With a short upward kick. the torso of the person will pivot about the cushions 16 until the shoulders or back rest against the back support 14, at which time the users feet will extend upwardly.

Referring now in detail to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the stationary platform 11 includes a pair of

identical side members

20 and 21 which are preferably composed of tubular construction. Selected adjacent ends of the side members are joined together by means of a

pivot connection

22 and 23 joining a pair of pivot fixtures carried by each of the side members. For example, side member 21 includes

fixtures

24 and 25 which may be riveted to the tubular construction of the side member while the side member 20 includes

pivot fixtures

26 and 27.

Each of the

respective side members

20 and 21 are rectangular and include parallel top and bottom pieces which are elongated and extend between parallel end pieces to form the rectangle. The hand grips 16 are secured to the upper tube of each side member by any suitable means. such as bonding, adhesive or the like. With respect to the shoulder cushions 16, they are similarly carried on the upper bar section of the side member by any suitable means, such as bonding, adhesive or the like. It is to be borne in mind that the cushion and

grip

16 and 17 are associated with side member 21 while cushion 16' and grip 17 are carried in an identical position on side member 20.

Each of the side members includes a rigidizing brace which takes the form of a U-shaped

member

30 and 30 fixedly secured to

side members

21 and 20, respectively, by any suitable means such as welding, rivets or screw fasteners. The transverse central section of each brace carried on

brace

30 or 30 may be employed to cooperate with the upper barof the associated side member to support the

shoulder cushion

16 or 16. Each of the side members is further provided with a pair of

tubular retainers

31 and 32 fixedly secured to its respective side member adjacent one of the legs of braces 30 and 30'. The pair of

retainers

31 and 32 are employed for slidably receiving the opposite legs of a U-shaped element forming the back support l4. The element 14 is slidably carried within the hollow of the

tubular retainers

31 and 32. Cushion 15 is carried on the central portion of the back support. The extreme terminating ends of the opposite legs of the U-shaped element back support 14 rest on a stop member 33, shown in H6. 3, which passes through

member

30 and 31 to interfere with the leg of element 14. This latter leg is provided with a hole or aperture 34 through which the shank of the stop member 33 asses so as to arrest movement of the back support 14 and to rigidize the support with respect to the retainers. Each of the

retainers

31 and 32 are fixedly secured to its

adjacent brace

30 and 30 via screw fasteners 35 and 36. Preferably, the screws 35 and 36 are set screws and are so located as to support the extreme ends of the opposite legs of the back support element 14.

Referring now in detail to FIG. 4, it can be seen that the novel exerciser 10 of the present invention may be folded into a storage position. In this position, the

side members

20 and 21 are substantially parallel and the opposite ends of each side member are arranged in fixed spaced apart relationship respectively. The members are pivoted about the pivot connection 22 so that the side members are substantially together and separated only by engagement of the shoulder pads 16 and 16'. To effect its folding position, the back support ele ment 14 is withdrawn from its receivers so that the element may be pivoted in a counterclockwise direction to the position shown in FIG. 4. At this time, the one leg of the back support element 14 may still reside within its associated retainer for ease of storage purposes. Preferably, one of the parallel legs of the U-shaped back support element 14 is longer than its other end and this longer leg operates as the pivot once the shorter leg has been cleared of its associated retainer.

In actual usage, the device 10 may be placed on the floor. However, if it is desired to use the device outside, it may be desirable to include an additional support for the stationary platform which may take the form of a pair of spikes 37 shown in FIG. 5. Preferably, the spikes 37 are integrally formed with the

retainers

31 and 32 so as to extend below the lowermost bar of each

side member

20 and 21. The spikes should be of sufficient length to project into the ground a suitable distance to support the stationary platform and provide stability for the user of the device.

In view of the foregoing, it can be seen that the novel exerciser of the present invention is a portable one and an exerciser which may be folded into a compact package for storage purposes when not in use. However, when it is desired to use the device, it becomes readily usable by urging the side members outwardly from one end so as to pivot about its

connections

22 and 23. The back support element 14 may then be rotated so as to aligned and registered with its retainers and slidably engaged therewith so as to provide a rigid brace between the side members. This will prevent any further pivoting in either direction of the side members with respect to each other. Also, the length of the central portion of the U- shaped back support element 14 is critical since it is directly related to the shoulders of the user so that the

side members

20 and 21 are not disposed too narrowly together or too far apart so as to be rendered inoperative for the person intending to use the device Preferably, the entire exerciser is made from lightweight tubular material so that it may be readily carried and stored. Other than the back support element 14, there is no other manipulation of parts which require disassembly prior to positioning the device into either of its alternate positions.

While particular embodiments ofthe present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its broader aspects and, therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope ofthis invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A foldable exercising device for solely supporting and stabilizing a person substantially on his shoulders in an inverted position comprising:

a stationary platform;

hand grip means carried on one end of said platform;

an upright back support detachably carried by said platform midway between its opposite ends and extending upward in perpendicular relationship to said platform;

shoulder receiving means fixedly carried on said platform disposed between said back support and said hand grip means; and

an opening formed in said platform between said shoulder receiving means and adjacent said back support for accommodating the head of the person during use while in said inverted position.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said platform comprises a pair of identical elongated side members;

pivotal connection means joining selected ends of said members together; and

retainer means carried by said side members for slidably receiving said back support so that said back support provides a rigid spreader separating said side members about said pivot connection means.

3. The invention as defined in claim 2 including releasable fasteners engageable between said side members and said back support for detachably coupling said back support to said side members.

4. The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein said back support is a U-shaped element having a pair of straight legs joined at their same ends by a cross bar;

said retainer means comprising a pair of tubes secured to said side members for slidably receiving said legs of said back support element.

5. The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein said back support element is provided with a cushion secured to said cross bar; and

said shoulder receiving means comprises a pair of cushions secured to said side members.

6. The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein each of said retainers includes a spike downwardly projecting from said stationary platform.

7. The invention as defined in claim 5 including a U-shaped brace secured to each of said side members and a portion of said brace cooperatively supporting said shoulder cushion so as to distribute and transfer applied loads to said side members.

8. The invention as defined in claim 7 wherein said pivot connection means includes a pair of fixtures carried on each of said side members and joined together by a pivot fastener whereby said platform folds and unfolds from a storage position to an exercising position.

9. The invention as defined in claim 7 wherein said stationary platform is in its storage position when folded about said pivot connection means so that said side members extend side-by-side in substantially parallel spaced-apart relationship and is in its exercising position when unfolded so that said side members form a V in plan view.

10. The invention as defined in claim 9 wherein said space defined between said side members when folded constitutes a storage area for accommodating said braces, said retainer means and said back support element.

11. The invention as defined in claim 10 wherein the length of said back support legs is dissimilar whereby the longer one of said legs constitutes a pivot in combination with said retainer tube whereby said element may be rotated into said storage area when said side members are pivoted into said storage position.

Claims

1. A foldable exercising device for solely supporting and stabilizing a person substantially on his shoulders in an inverted position comprising: a stationary platform; hand grip means carried on one end of said platfOrm; an upright back support detachably carried by said platform midway between its opposite ends and extending upward in perpendicular relationship to said platform; shoulder receiving means fixedly carried on said platform disposed between said back support and said hand grip means; and an opening formed in said platform between said shoulder receiving means and adjacent said back support for accommodating the head of the person during use while in said inverted position.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said platform comprises a pair of identical elongated side members; pivotal connection means joining selected ends of said members together; and retainer means carried by said side members for slidably receiving said back support so that said back support provides a rigid spreader separating said side members about said pivot connection means.

4. The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein said back support is a U-shaped element having a pair of straight legs joined at their same ends by a cross bar; said retainer means comprising a pair of tubes secured to said side members for slidably receiving said legs of said back support element.

5. The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein said back support element is provided with a cushion secured to said cross bar; and said shoulder receiving means comprises a pair of cushions secured to said side members.