US3737162A - Exercise device - Google Patents

Abstract

An Exercise Device for exercising various portions of the body is described, the Exercise Device including a cyclically spinning member, the member caused to spin in opposite directions of rotation by means of the axially induced twisting of spaced cords, the reversing directions of spinning being caused by the user applying pressure outwardly on the cords, and alternately releasing the pressure. Apparatus is illustrated for varying the tension that is required on the wound cords in order to cause the reversing rotation. An arrangement for compression and relaxation exercise is also described.

Description

United States Patent [191 Wood [ 1 June 5, 1973 |541 EXERCISE DEVICE [76] Inventor: Lee Wood, Box 218, Savage, Minn.

[22] Filed: Dec. 6, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 205,008

[52] U.S. Cl ..272/68, 46/62, 272/79 R [51] Int. Cl. ..A63b 21/00, A63b 23/00 [58] Field of Search ..272/79 R, 81, 68;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,686,890 10/1928 Wood ..272/79 R 2,093,479 9/1937 Pisacano ..46/62 X 2,436,158 2/1948 Woroneski ..46/62 3,069,162 12/1962 Samuel ....272/79 R 1,794,314 2/1931 Mueller ..46/62 X 509,044 11/1893 McCall ..46/63 Primary Examiner -Richard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-William R. Browne Att0rneyCharles A. Johnson [57] ABSTRACT An Exercise Device for exercising various portions of the body is described, the Exercise Device including a cyclically spinning member, the member caused to spin in opposite directions of rotation by means of the axially induced twisting of spaced cords, the reversing directions of spinning being caused by the user applying pressure outwardly on the cords, and alternately releasing the pressure. Apparatus is illustrated for varying the tension that is required on the wound cords in order to cause the reversing rotation. An arrangement for compression and relaxation exercise is also described.

6 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures INVENTOR. LEE (IVA/1%) W000 g TTORNE Y.

PATENIEDJUM 5 I975 1 EXERCISE DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to the field of body exercising devices. More specifically, it relates to an improved exercise device that utilizes a pair of oppositely disposed, spaced apart and twisted cords that are coupled to a mounting device for supporting a spinner whereby the spinner is caused to rotate in opposite directions by means of alternately applying and releasing pressure to the opposite ends of the twisted cords.

2. Description of the Prior Art Various types of exercise devices are known in the prior art. Many of the exercise devices utilize spring arrangements with the amount of force necessary to operate the exercise device often depending upon the number of springs utilized.

Still other devices in the prior art utilize various weights that are manipulated, with the amount of exercise exertion depending upon the weights that are selected. Still other types of exercise-devices relate to the so-called isometric form of exercise wherein the muscle exertion is accomplished by causing the body muscles to be exerted against a fixed object. The muscles that are thus exercised depend upon the direction and force of the body exertion.

Various configurations of exercise devices utilizing a spinning member in combination with a twisted cord, have been illustrated in the prior art. The prior art devices of this nature often utilize an inflatable spinning member for performing a portion of the exercising function, and are often designed to be operated by two persons. The structures are often complex, and not readily of utility for a single person wishing to exercise in the home.

The various prior art attempts at constructing exercising devices have resulted in exercise devices that are either complex and expensive to manufacture, have required many expensive component parts, or have been difficult or undesirable for a single person to use in a program of exercise in the home, or the like.

SUMMARY The exercise device of the present invention overcomes the problems of the prior art and includes a spinner member having a pair of mating sections, each with an aperture through the center thereof, a mounting device for supporting the spinner member, the mounting device including a pair of side members each having a plurality of holes there through, and further including a spacer member for holding said side members in a spaced apart relationship. A pair of twisted cords, each having a looped portion and first and second ends fastened through selected ones of the plurality of holes in the associated one of the side members are arranged such that the spacing of the ends of the twisted cords determine the force required to be applied on the looped portions of the cords to cause reversible spinning of the spinner member when the force is alternately applied and released. The exercise device also includes a resilient core member situated between the mating sections of the spinner member, and adhesively coupled at the surface of the core member to the inside surfaces of the sections of the spinner member. The arrangement is such that when pressure is applied to the outer surfaces of the pair of mating sections of the spinner member, the resilient core resists compression, thereby providing an alternative form of exercise.

In view of the foregoing, it is the primary object of this invention to provide an improved exercise device. Yet another object of this invention is to provide an improved exercise device that utilizes a spinner body in conjunction with a pair of twisted cords attached to the sides of said spinner, whereby motion is imparted to said spinner by the application of force at the looped ends of the twisted cords, and the spinner member is subjected to reversible spinning rotation when said force is alternately applied and released. Still a further object of this invention is to provide an improved exercise device wherein a spinner member is supported on a mounting mechanism including a pair of side plates having a plurality of spaced apart apertures there through together with a spacer member for holding the side plates in a spaced apart relationship, the location of the ends of the twisted cords in the selected ones of the apertures in the side plates determining the amount of force necessary to cause the spinner to rotate. Still a further object of this invention is to provide a resilient core within the mating halves of the spinner member of the improved exercise of this invention, whereby a form of compression and release exercise can be accomplished by pressing inwardly on the outer side of the exercise device. Yet a further object of this .invention is to provide an improved exercise device that is constructed of durable materials yet inexpensive to manufacture and construct, andhaving a degree of adjustability without requiring additional elements for the exercise device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing and other more detailed and specific objectives will be disclosed in the course of the following specification and claims, with reference being made to the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of the improved exer cise device of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a face view of one of the side members of the mounting mechanism;

FIG. 3 is a view having a portion broken away of the support mechanism; v

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 1 and illustrates the relationship of the mating sections of the spinner member, together with the resilient core member intermediate the mating sections;

FIG. 5 is a face view of one side of the spinner memher; and

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view of the resilient core member.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of the improved exercise device of this invention, and includes a spinner member 10 having a pair of twisted cords l2 and 14 associated with respective sides thereof. A pair of handles 16 and 18 are disposed in the looped portions of cords l4 and 12, respectively. The spinner member 10 is comprised of a pair of mating sections 20 and 22, with section 20 being enveloped by section 22. A side 24 of the mounting device is shown. Ends 26 and 28 of twisted cord 14 are shown mounted to side plate 24. Side plate 24 has a plurality of spaced apart holes 30 there through. The spacing of holes 30 is symmetrical with the center hole through which mounting bolt 32 is passed. That is, selected pairs of holes 30 are located similar distances and on opposite sides of the center hole through which bolt 32 is passed.

Attention is directed to FIG. 2, which is a face view of side member 24. The center hole 34 is adapted for receiving mounting bolt 32. The plurality of holes 30 are illustrated as a first pair being on opposite sides of hole 34 and relatively close thereto. There is a second pair of holes 30 adjacent said first pair of holes, and relatively closer to the outer edge of the side member 24. A third set, or pair, of holes are arranged on opposite sides of hole 34 and at a distance intermediate that of the first and second pair of holes just described. The arrangement of holes 30, together with the insertion of ends 26 and 28 of cord 14 through selected ones of the pairs of holes will determine the amount of pressure, or force, that must be applied outwardly to handle 16 and 18 in order to cause spinner member to spin.

FIG. 3 is a view of the mounting device having a portion thereof broken away for purposes of illustration. The side plate 24 is shown broken away, with bolt 32 inserted there through into spacer member 36 having a first threaded portion 38 in one end thereof. The opposite end of spacer 36 has a second threaded hole 40 arranged in a manner such that when the second side plate 42 is positioned with its center holein alignment with threaded hole 40, that mounting bolt 44 can be inserted there through for attaching side plate 42 to the end of spacer member 36. For illustrative purposes, a portion of cord 46, being one end of twisted cord 12, is shown passed through a selected one of the holes in side member 42, and having a knot 48 made on the inside of side member 42, thereby affixing cord 46 to side member 42. Obviously, other forms of attachment of the cords l4 and 12 can be made to the mounting device, but it is intended only to illustrate that the cords do not pass entirely through the mounting device, but, instead, are mounted to the respective side plates so that they can be disassembled and moved with regard to the selected pairs of holes in the side plates for adjusting the amount of force that is required to use the exercise device.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 44 in FIG. 1, and illustrates the relationship of the elements that comprise spinner member 10 without the inclusion of the details of the mounting device which has just been described. As has been mentioned above, the spinner member 10 utilizes a pair of mating sections and 22, with section 20 being substantially enveloped by section 22. Section 20 has an inner edge 50 that is arranged to cooperate with shoulder 52 for stopping the lateral motion of section 20 when pressure is applied in the direction of the arrow. Section 20 also has surface 54 that is arranged to co-act with shoulder 56 in the manner just described. Section 22 has an outer surface 58 that passes around a substantial portion of the outer surface 60 of member 20. Section 20 has an aperture 62 through the center thereof, and secrelationship, and functions to hold them together even in the absence of the mounting device. It is this resilient core member 68 that provides an alternative exercise wherein a person can place the fingers or palms of the hands on the face surfaces of mating sections 20 and 22, and by applying pressure in the direction of the arrows cause a relative movement between mating sections 20 and 22 until the inner surfaces and 54 of section 20 come into contact with shoulders 52 and 54 respectively, thereby stopping the motion. Upon release of the pressure on the outside surfaces, the resilient core member 68 forces the mating sections 20 and 22 back to their original position.

FIG. 5 is a face view of section 22, and illustrates the aperture through the center thereof, the aperture having a ledge 74 there around, for cooperating with the beveled portion of side member 42 for retaining the spinner member 10 in a centered position.

FIG. 6 illustrates a prospective view of the resilient inner core member 68, and indicates that the core member 68 has a hole there through for passing over the center aligning portions of mating sections 20 and 22. The resilient core member 68 can be foam rubber, or other synthetic foam material that is resilient, and to which an adhesive bond can be made.

The pair of mating side members can be conveniently molded from plastic, and by way of illustration, the diameter of the outer section 22 can characteristically be in the order of 7 9% inches, while the diameter of the inner section 22 can be in the order of 7 inches. The dimensions are intended to be illustrative only, it being understood that the size and weight of the spinner member will affect the amount of force required to cause it to spin and reverse direction.

The sides 24 and 42 of the support device are characteristically in the order of 3 inches in diameter, and are characteristically constructed of a suitable metal such as aluminum, or the like. It is the structure of the mounting apparatus that provides the exercise device with sufficient strength to provide adequate exertion for yielding an exercise function.

The spacing of the plurality of holes 30 in the side plate 34 has been found to be in the order of 1 Y5 inch center to center, 1 56 inch center to center, and approximately 2 inches center to center for the illustrative arrangement shown. It is of course understood, that many more hole arrangements can be provided, depending upon the degree of differentiation and the amount of force required to operate the device that is desired.

It has been found advantageous to utilize a looped length of the cords 14 and 12 in the order of approximately 16 inches for providing a desired total span that is comfortable for the average user. It is of course understood, that the length of the wound cords 12 and 14 can be arranged to be longer for longer armed persons, or shorter, as desired.

It should be pointed out and understood, that in the event it is desired to require a greater force on one side of the exercise device then that of the other side in order to cause a rotation upon application of the two differing forces, that it is necessary only to arrange the ends of the twisted cord at the side where a greater force is required, at a pair of the holes 30 that is more widely spaced than that of the ends of the cord on the opposite side where the lesser force is desired.

It is of course apparent, from a consideration of the foregoing specification of the parts and their respective arrangements, that relatively few parts are required and that they are of a simple construction, and are therefor relatively inexpensive when compared to other known exercise devices.

In conclusion, then, it can be seen from the foregoing detailed description of the preferred embodiment that the various stated objectives of this invention have been achieved. An improved exercise device utilizing a spinner member mounted on a mounting device where the mounting device includes a pair of side members, with each of the side members having a plurality of holes therethrough together with a spacer for holding the side members in a predetermined relationship, together with a pair of twisted cords for cooperation with respective ones of the side members has been de scribed. The spacing of the ends of the twisted cords determines the force required to be applied on the looped ends of the cords for causing reversible spinning of the spinner member when force is alternately applied and released from the cords. The use of the resilient core member provides a structural holding together of the pairs of members that comprise the spinner, and provides an alternative compression type of exercise. lt being recognized that various modifications of dimensions, physical arrangement, and selection of materials, will become apparent to those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention, what is intended to be protected by Letters Patent as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An exercise device comprising a spinner member having a pair of mating sections, each of said sections having a mutually aligned aperture therethrough, means for holding said sections together, said means including a pair of side members each having at least two sets of holes therethrough, the holes of each set in a side member being spaced from the center of that side member by a distance which is different from the spacing of the other sets of holes from the center of that side member, each set of holes in one side member being aligned with the respective set of holes in the other side member, and a spacer member joining said side members, said side members being in spaced apart relationship with each other when the side members are in engagement with the sections, a first means and a second means associated respectively with said side members, said first means and said second means each having a looped portion and first and second ends fastened through a selected set of said holes in the associated respective one of said side members, the spacing of said first and second ends determining the force required to be applied on said looped portions when twisted to cause reversible spinning of said spinner member when said force is alternately applied and released.

2. An exercise device as in claim 1 and further including a third means for resiliently coupling said mating sections, and said third means being intermediate said mating sections.

3. An exercise device as in claim 2 wherein said third means comprises a circular member of resilient material having a hole therethrough, and opposed sides for bonding to respective ones of said mating sections.

4. An exercise device as in claim 3 wherein one of said mating sections substantially envelopes the other of said mating sections, and said pair of mating sections when in mating engagement with each other, each section of said pair of mating sections being movable axially toward each other by application of inward force on each of said sections, and said sections return to a rest position upon release of said force by action of said third means.

'5. An exercise device as in claim 4, wherein one of said mating sections includes a fourth means for limiting the extent of said axial movement with respect to said other section when said other section impinges on said fourth means.

6. An exercise device as in claim 5 wherein each section of said pair of said mating sections includes beveled surface means adjacent said aligned apertures for cooperating with a beveled portion of an associated one of said side members for centering said spinner member.

Claims (6)

1. An exercise device comprising a spinner member having a pair of mating sections, each of said sections having a mutually aligned aperture therethrough, means for holding said sections together, said means including a pair of side members each having at least two sets of holes therethrough, the holes of each set in a side member being spaced from the center of that side member by a distance which is different from the spacing of the other sets of holes from the center of that side member, each set of holes in one side member being aligned with the respective set of holes in the other side member, and a spacer member joining said side members, said side members being in spaced apart relationship with each other when the side members are in engagement with the sections, a first means and a second means associated respectively with said side members, said first means and said second means each having a looped portion and first and second ends fastened through a selected set of said holes in the associated respective one of said side members, the spacing of said first and second ends determining the force required to be applied on said looped portions when twisted to cause reversible spinning of said spinner member when said force is alternately applied and released.

2. An exercise device as in claim 1 and further including a third means for resiliently coupling said mating sections, and said third means being intermediate said mating sections.

3. An exercise device as in claim 2 wherein said third means comprises a circular member of resilient material having a hole therethrough, and opposed sides for bonding to respective ones of said mating sections.

4. An exercise device as in claim 3 wherein one of said mating sections substantially envelopes the other of said mating sections, and said pair of mating sections when in mating engagement with each other, each section of said pair of mating sections being movable axially toward each other by application of inward force on each of said sections, and said sections return to a rest position upon release of said force by action of said third means.

5. An exercise device as in claim 4, wherein one of said mating sections includes a fourth means for limiting the extent of said axial movement with respect to said other section when said other section impinges on said fourth means.

6. An exercise device as in claim 5 wherein each section of said pair of said mating sections includes beveled surface means adjacent said aligned apertures for cooperating with a beveled portion of an associated one of said side members for centering said spinner member.

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