US3810613A

US3810613A - Exercise and weight reduction device

Info

Publication number: US3810613A
Application number: US00388119A
Authority: US
Inventors: M Jorwa
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1973-08-13
Filing date: 1973-08-13
Publication date: 1974-05-14
Anticipated expiration: 1991-05-14

Abstract

Two elliptical channels which have congruent major axes are utilized as tracks. The channels are integrally molded in a base which supports upright members which terminate in hand grips. Alternatively, the upright members may be attached to the ceiling. Set within and constrained to move respectively inside of each of the channels is a skate which engages the bottom of the channel through an integrally depending vertical connecting member which terminates in a spherical ball bearing. A user places his feet on the skates and, while grasping the hand grips, moves his feet in the elliptical paths defined by the tracks. Such use exercises the entire body with particular emphasis on the upper thighs and hips.

Description

United States Patent [191 Jorwa EXERCISE AND WEIGHT REDUCTION DEVICE Inventor: Mildred M. Jorwa, 71 Lincoln Ave.,

Fairlawn, NJ. 07410 Filed: Aug. 13, 1973 Appl. No.: 388,119

US. Cl. 272/57 R, 104/139 Int. Cl A63b 23/04 Field of Search 104/53, 62, 144, 139;

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Primary Examiner-Anton O. Oechsle Assistant Examiner loseph R. Taylor Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Mel K. Silverman 5 7] ABSTRACT Two elliptical channels which have congruent major axes are utilized as tracks. The channels are integrally molded in a base which supports upright members which terminate in hand grips. Alternatively, the upright members may be attached to the ceiling. Set within and constrained to move respectively inside of each of the channels is a skate which engages the bottom of the channel through an integrally depending vertical connecting member which terminates in a spherical ball bearing. A user places his feet on the skates and, while grasping the hand grips, moves his feet in the elliptical paths defined by the tracks. Such use exercises the entire body with particular emphasis on the upper thighs and hips.

4 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEDm 14 m4 SHEET? 0F 2 F/GI6 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an exercising device, and in particular relates to that type of device by which a person can exercise the muscles of the thighs and lower torso.

Exercising devices known for exercising said areas of the body have generally been limited to structures which provide a rotational movement of one plate or disc relative to another plate in a manner not unlike a simple turntable. However, it has been found that such types of turntable exercising devices are of limited value since, in actual operation all of the twisting and stretching of the muscles takes place in the vicinity of the waist, and there is little if any envigoration of the thighs and lower torso.

Attempts at improving such prior art devices have been made through the addition of friction-producing elements between the top and bottom plates, thereby causing an increase in the amount of physical exertion required by the person using the device. However, these improvements have not permitted an increase in the number of muscles which are in fact exercised through the use of such a device.

Thus, there exists a need for a more versatile torso and leg exerciser that will permit one to exercise the leg muscles, as well as the muscles in the vicinity of the waist and hips.

One effort at meeting the above-illustrated need appears in the patent of W. F. Larson (US. Pat. No. 3,612,519). This device, while useful in the exercise of the thigh and leg muscles is not intended, nor is it particularly adapted, to use by women desiring to exercise their waist and hips in order to improve their figures. Accordingly, the present invention, while not necessarily so limited in scope, is intended for use by women wishing to firm-up specific areas of their anatomy.

SUMMARY or THE INVENTION It is a purpose of the present invention to provide a new, improved and more versatile device for exercising the waist, hips and thighs.

According to the present invention, there is provided a pair of elliptical channels having a common intersecting area. Each of said channels possesses a uniform cross-section, configured in the nature of an inverted pear. Disposed in a moveable fashion within each of said channels is a pair of adjustable skates." Affixed along the outer edge of one side of the present structure, and parallel to the major axes of said channels is a grip handle. The grip handle may, in the alternative, be secured to a ceiling.

The desired exercising motion is obtained when a user places and secures his shoes within the adjustable skates. While holding the handle grip, a user rotates his feet on the skates within the two elliptical channels, thereby obtaining an exercising motion of the hips and waist.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a top plan view of the present exercising means.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1, taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3a is a front plan view of the grip handles, taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3b is an alternative embodiment of the grip handles, otherwise similar to the view of FIG. 3a.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention as seen in actual use.

FIG. 5 is a view, similar to FIG. 4, of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the skate and runner elements of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the skate and runner elements.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the skate and runner elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Shown in FIG. 1 is a base 10 which includes therein a pair of

channels

12 and 14. Channel 12 is identical in dimension to channel 14, but is displaced to the left therefrom. Said channels intersect at

points

16 and 18. The cross-sectional configuration of the channels may be observed with reference to FIG. 2. Within said figure it may be seen that channel 12 exhibits an essentially circular cross-section in communication with an entry area 20. Set within said channel is a skate 22, a

vertical connecting member 24, a ball-bearing 26 and a bearing enclosure 28 which integrally depends from member 24 and surrounds one hemisphere of the bearing 26 which turns freely within the enclosure 28.

Turning now to channel 14, it may be seen that said channel comprises a circular cross-section having a smaller diameter than that of channel 12. Further, the communication to said circular cross-section is in the nature of a passageway 30. Channel 14 is equipped with the same combination of a skate 22', a vertical connecting member 24', a bearing 26', and a hemispherical enelosingelement 28'.

The purpose of the differing cross-sectional configurations of the

channels

12 and 14 is to assure that when the skates 22 and 22' cross the points of intersection l6 and 18 of the

channels

12 and 14, the bearing 26 and 26 will stay within their respective channels. I

Referring again to FIG. 1, it is to be noted that channel 12 comprises a first ellipse and channel 14 comprises a second ellipse, displaced along their major axes a distance 32 from each other.

The skate 22 travels exclusively within channel 12, while the skate 22 travels exclusively within channel 14. This makes it possible for the user to experience a continuous rotational motion of the legs, thighs and hips.

In use, one first straps his feet or shoes into the skates 22 and 22' and then grips the two

support handles

34 and 36. The

springs

38 and 40 enable the user to stretch and pull in accordance with his motions within the channels.

FIG. 31) illustrates a second embodiment of the bandles wherein elastic straps 42 are utilized as a substitute for the

springs

38 and 40.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, it may be seen that the handles 34', and supports 38, may be affixed to either the base 10 or to a ceiling 44. A greater exercising of the upper portions of the body is obtained in the latter embodiment.

Shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 are alternative types of bearings 26 that may be utilized within said channels 12 and I4.

The base 10 may be molded of any of a variety of materials, such as a heavy durable plastic or cast iron.

lt is also to be noted that the channel and bearing configuration shown in FIG. 2 is to be taken as merely representative of the various means which might be employed to guide the skates 22 and 22' within their respective channels.

Also, it is to be noted that the handles shown in FIGS. 3a, 3b, 4 and 5 could be easily replaced by a single handle which might, for certain persons, represent a more suitable means of using the exercising device.

It is thus seen that the objects enumerated in the Summary of the Invention have been efficiently attained by the above-described embodiments of the present invention. While there have been herein shown and described certain embodiments of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise than as herein specifically illustrated and described, and that in said embodments certain changes in the detail of construction, and in the form and arrangement of the parts, may be made without departing form the underlying idea or principles of the invention within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new, useful, and non-obvious, and accordingly secure by letters Patent of the United States is:

1. An exercising device, comprising:

a. a base;

b. a first elliptical channel formed within said base;

c. a second elliptical channel formed within said base; said second channel having essentially identical dimensions to said first channel, said second channel disposed along the major axis of said first channel, but displaced from the minor axis of said first channel, wherein said first and second channels intersect at points symmetrically and oppositely disposed with respect to the major axes of said channels;

d. a first skate slidably secured within said first channel;

axes of said channels are respectively displaced at a distance equal to about one-third of the length of either major axis.

3. A exercising device, comprising:

a. a base; 1

b. a first elliptical channel formed within said base;

c. a second elliptical channel formed within said base, said second channel having essentially identical dimensions to said first channel, said second 7 channel disposed along the major axis of said first channel, but displaced from the minor axis of said first channel, wherein said first and second channels intersect at points symmetrically and oppositely disposed with respect to the major axes of said channels;

d. a first skate slidably secured within said first channel;

e. a second skate slidably secured within said second channel; and

f. a gripping means for holding by the hands of a user, said gripping means secured to an area above the head of the user,

whereby the user may strap his feet into said skates and, while grasping said gripping means, may move his feet in a manner which will effecutate an exercising of the waist, hips and thighs.

4. The device as recited in claim 3 in which the minor axes of said channels are respectively displaced at a distance equal to about one-third of the length of either major axis.

Claims

1. An exercising device, comprising: a. a base; b. a first elliptical channel formed within said base; c. a second elliptical channel formed within said base; said second channel having essentially identical dimensions to said first channel, said second channel disposed along the major axis of said first channel, but displaced from the minor axis of said first channel, wherein said first and second channels intersect at points symmetrically and oppositely disposed with respect to the major axes of said channels; d. a first skate slidably secured within said first channel; e. a second skate slidably secured within said second channel; and f. a gripping means for holding by the hands of a user, said gripping means secured to said base, whereby the user may strap his feet into said skates and, while grasping said gripping means, may move his feet in a manner which will effectuate an exercising of the waist, hips and thighs.

2. The device as recited in claim 1 in which the minor axes of said channels are respectively displaced at a distance equal to about one-third of the length of either major axis.

3. A exercising device, comprising: a. a base; b. a first elliptical channel formed within said base; c. a second elliptical channel formed within said base, said second channel having essentially identical dimensions to said first channel, said second channel disposed along the major axis of said first channel, but displaced from the minor axis of said first channel, wherein said first and second channels intersect at points symmetrically and oppositely disposed with respect to the major axes of said channels; d. a first skate slidably secured within said first channel; e. a second skate slidably secured within said second channel; and f. a gripping means for holding by the hands of a user, said gripping means secured to an area above the head of the user, whereby the user may strap his feet into said skates and, while grasping said gripping means, may move his feet in a manner which will effecutate an exercising of the waist, hips and thighs.