US3411497A - Combined exerciser and bodyvibrating apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 19, 1968 R. B. RICKEY ETAL COMBINED EXERCISEIR AND BODY-VIBRATING APPARATUS Filed June 8, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet l FIG. 2 6.9

INVENTORS ROBERT B. R/CKEY HUGH 8. KING United S This invention relates to a physical fitness apparatus in which a variety of actions may be performed including one or more of the following: punching bag practice, rowing exercises, chinning exercises or any other type exercises to be performed on a bar, and vibrating massage action. The present invention is particularly adapted, but not limited to, home use as a family exercising apparatus.

Heretofore, there have been various exercising devices, but none that could serve as an all purpose apparatus for use in the home in which in one compact apparatus many diverse actions could be performed. For example, heretofore there has been punching bag equipment, but it was necessary to install it more or less permanently in a building, and there has been no free standing punching bag equipment that could be used in the home. In addition, there have been other pieces of rowing exercise equipment and vibrating equipmentybut due to the diversity of the parts necessary for such equipment, they have usually been separate pieces of equipment. 'In other words, in order to have the equipment for perfoming many and varied exercises, it was heretofore necessary to have a large amount of different pieces of equipment which usually filled a room.

The present invention is directed towards overcoming the above-mentioned and other problems by providing a compact home gymnasium, which is not attached in any manner to the house, and can be easily stored when not in use.

Thus, one of the objects of the present invention is to provide physical fitness apparatus that is convertible to many uses.

A further object is to provide such apparatus which has a minimum of parts, which is compact, and can be easily stored.

A further object is to provide such apparatus which includes a unique multipurpose base that is free standing and upon which the various exercising devices are mounted.

A further object is to provide such apparatus in which unique means is provided for supporting a punching bag so that when in an in use position, the punching bag I is securely supported and which is swingable to a nonuse position whereby other pieces of equipment can be used.

A further object is to provide such supporting means for the punching bag in which the chinning bar is utilized to brace the punching bag when in use.

A further object is to provide such apparatus in which the base thereof includes a dual purpose base plate that can be selectively used as a support for a vibrating board or as a floorboard when the punching bag is being used.

A further object is to provide such apparatus in which the base thereof is provided with compartments for the storage of articles such as the pieces of equipment of the apparatus.

A further object is to provide such apparatus in which the base thereof is adapted to selectively receive the heretofore mentioned base plate or a wheeledseat for use in rowing exercises.

A further object is generally to improve the design and construction of physical fitness apparatus.

The means by which the foregoing and other objects tes Patent ice of the present invention are accomplished and the manner of their accomplishment will be readily understood from the following specification upon reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken as on the line II-ll of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2 and with the punching bag assembly shovm in a position of non use.

FIG. 4 is a further enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken as on the line lV-IV of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken as on the line VV of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken as on the line VIVI of FIG. 1 with the slantboard being removed from the base.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 but showing the base plate in a different position from that shown in FIG. 6.

-FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIGS. 6 and 7 but showing the device set up for rowing exercises.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken as on the line IXIX of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is an elevational view of the slantboard showing the underside thereof.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken as on the line XI-X'I of FIG. 8.

Referring now to the drawings in which the various parts are indicated by numerals, the apparatus 11 of the present invention includes a box-like base 13 adapted to rest upon a supporting surface, as the surface S. Base 13 comprises a pair of spaced and parallel sides 15, 17 interconnected adjacent the ends thereof by the spaced and parallel ends 19, 21. The upper edge of base 13 preferably slopes downwardly towards end 21 so that when the slantboard 23 (later to be described in detail) is placed thereon, it slants downwardly towards the end 21, as best seen in FIG. 1. The lower edges of sides 15, 17 and the ends 19, 21 are preferably undercut or cut out to establish the legs 25 at the four corners of the base 13, which are the actual portions of the base resting on surface S. Base 13 includes a pair of longitudinally extending spaced apart vertical walls 27, 29 which respectively extend between ends 19, 21 and are attached therto. Walls 27, 29 are respectively in parallel spaced relationship to sides 15, 17 and are between the sides to divide the base into a pair of compartments 31, 33 that extend the length of the base and a vertical opening 35 extending through the base from top to bottom thereof. In other words, vertical opening 35 is defined by the inside intermediate portions of ends 19, 21 and the opposing surfaces of the walls 27, 29. Compartments 31, 33 are respectively provided with bottoms 37, 39 respectively secured between the side 15 and wall 27 and between side 17 and wall 29. The bottoms 37, 39 respectively extend the length of the compartment 31, 33 between the ends 19, 21. The compartments 31, 33 are respectively provided with removable coverplates 41, 43 over the tops of the compartments. Each of the covers 41, 43 are preferably provided with apertures 45 for use in removing the covers.

A pair of vertical supports 47, 49 are removably attached as by suitable fastening means 51 to the opposite sides 15, 17 of base 13 intermediate the ends thereof and adjacent end 19. Supports 47, 49 upstand from base 13 and are braced by removable braces 53, 55 respectively extending between the supports 47, 49 and base 13. A pair of sleeves 57, 59 are respectively slidably mounted on supports 47, 49 and are adapted to be held in selected vertical positions on the supports as by means of the removable pins 61 extending through aligned apertures in the sleeves and a selected one of a plurality of apertures 63 in the supports to adjust the height of the sleeves.

A horizontal chinning bar 65 is supported at opposite ends thereof from sleeves 57, 59 as by means of the barrel- like portions 67, 69 formed integrally with the sleeves and extending inwardly towards each other in which the ends of the chinning bar are received. Below barrel-like portion 69 sleeve 59 is provided with an integrally formed bearing portion 71 therearound. An outer sleeve 73 is turnably mounted on bearing portion 71 for turn about a vertical axis coincident with the centerline of the support 49. Outer sleeve 73 is held against vertical movement relative to sleeve 59 by means of the upper and lower flanges 75, 77 provided on bearing portion 71. A locking screw 79 having a handle 81 is preferably provided and threadedly engaged in a threaded aperture in outer sleeve 73 so that if desired the locking screw can be turned to engage the end thereof on bearing portion 71 to lock the outer sleeve 73 against turning movement relative to the bearing portion. A projection 83 is formed on outer sleeve 73 and extends outwardly therefrom. A support bar 85 is pivotally attached as at 87 by suitable means to projection 83. A punching bag 89 is coupled to support bar 85 intermediate the ends thereof by suitable coupling means as at 91.

A ring 93 is supported from support bar 85 by suitable means as the fasteners 95 and the resilient pads 97. Ring 93 is mounted concentric with punching bag 89 with coupling means 91 in the center thereof so that when the punching bag is used, it will bounce against the ring 93. An upwardly facing saddle 99 which is preferably in the shape of substantially one-half of a cylinder is supported above and centrally of ring 93 by means of the braces 101, 103 which are fixedly attached to the saddle and extend downwardly therefrom in diverging relationship where the lower ends of the braces are attached at diametric places on ring 93 by suitable means as the fasteners 105 and pads 107. A resilient pad 109 is preferably provided on the upper side of saddle 99 and forms a part of the saddle. The assembly 111 which comprises in general sleeve 73, projection 83, support bar 85, punching bag 89, coupling means 91, ring 93, saddle 99, and braces 101, 103 is movable between a first position in which the punching bag 89 is in a position for use, as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, and a second position in which assembly 111 is swung to the side, as seen in FIG. 3. When the assembly is in said first position, saddle 99 is engaged with chinning bar 65 as best seen in FIGS. 2 and which aids in the bracing of the punching bag during use thereof. In other words, the chinning bar 65 backs up the ring 93 so that when the punching bag 89 hits the ring, it is braced through the braces 101, 103 and the chinning bar. Also, it will be understood that when assembly 111 is in said first position, the support bar 85 is horizontal, as best seen in FIG. 2, and the left end thereof as viewed in FIG. 2 is removably held in place on sleeve 57 by suitable means as the pin 113 extending through aligned apertures in a bracket 115 and in the end of the support bar. Bracket 115 is fixedly attached to sleeve 57. From the foregoing it will be understood that the chinning bar 65, support bar 85, and assembly 111 can be moved as a unit to vary the height thereof by positioning the sleeves 57, 59.

When apparatus 11 is being used for punching bag exercises, a substantially rectangular base plate 117 which is substantially the size of vertical opening 35, as viewed from the top, is disposed in a position best seen in FIGS. 7 and 9 for use as a floor board upon which the person stands while punching the punching bag 89. Base plate 117 rests partially on the supporting surface S and partially on a strap 119, which in turn is fixedly attached to bottoms 37, 39 by suitable means and which strap extends across opening 35 adjacent the lower part thereof. Base plate 117 is provided with a square hole 121 therethrough and centrally thereof which removably receives a complementary shaped positioning block 123 that is fixedly attached to strap 119 intermediate the ends thereof and on the top thereof. Thus, when base plate 117 is put in place with a positioning block 123 received in hole 121, the base plate is substantially in alignment with vertical opening 35 so that the base plate forms a floor for the base 13. It will be understood that base plate 117 can be put into place and taken out of place from engagement with positioning block 123 by sliding the base plate endwise beneath the ends 19 or 21. It will be understood that this is possible since the lower edges of the ends are cut out as heretofore described. On the surface 125 of base plate 117 are fixedly attached a plurality of resilient pads 127 which contact the surface S and which are substantially the same thickness as strap 119 so that the base plate 117 will lie substantially flat when in position on block 123. In addition, it will be understood that pads 127 provide resistance means so that the base plate 117 will not slide along the surface S and will hold the base 13 stationary under the weight of the user.

When slantboard 23 is used, base plate 117 is turned over from the position shown in FIG. 7 so that then pads 127 are facing upwardly, as best seen in FIG. 6, and the base plate is fitted in the upper part of vertical opening 35. Base plate 117 is supported in the above-mentioned position by means of the ledges 129 respectively fixedly attached to the inner sides of ends 19, 21 and recessed downwardly from the upper edges thereof, and by means of the ledges 131 attached to walls 27, 29 and spaced downwardly from the upper edges thereof. In other words, the ledges 129, 131 form a continuous horizontal ledge means around the upper portion of vertical opening 35, so that when the base plate 117 is fitted on top of the ledge means, the upper surface of the base plate will fit flush with the upper surfaces of covers 41, 43. Next, slantboard 23 is placed on top of base plate 117 as best seen in FIG. 1. On the bottom surface 133 of slantboard 23 is provided a vibrating motor 135 of suitable construction which is attached to the slantboard and which is powered by a suitable source of electricity as through the cord 137. In addition, on the bottom surface 133 adjacent motor 135 is provided a stop 139 that engages the edge 141 of base plate 17 which defines one edge of the hole 121 so that the slantboard will be held against sliding movement on base plate 117. It will be understood that when slantboard 23 is placed on base plate 117, as above described, the vibrating motor 135 and stop 139 will extend into hole 121 and the slantboard will be resiliently supported from base plate 117 by the resilient pads 127 so that the vibrating motor 135 effectively vibrates the slantboard. The slantboard 23, as will be seen in FIG. 1, preferably extends beyond the ends 19, 21 of the base 13 but is substantially the same width as the base plate 117.

When it is desired to use apparatus 11 for rowing exercises, slantboard 23 and base plate 117 are removed and a seat 143 which is provided with four wheels 145 (only two of which are shown in FIG. 11) turnably supported beneath the seat by means of the brackets 147 and axles 149 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 11). Seat 143 is placed on base 13 with one pair of wheels 145 engaging the top surface of one of ledges 131 and the other pair of wheels 145 engaging the other ledge 131, as best seen in FIG. 11, so that the seat can roll back and forth with the ledges 131 acting as a trackway. In other words, as viewed in FIG. 8, seat 143 can move back and forth as viewed from top to bottom of the drawing. A pair of oars 151 are pivotally mounted by suitable means as at 153 from sides 15, 17 adjacent end 21. Pivot means 153 are of any suitable well known type which preferably give resistance to the movement of oars 151 so that a person can put his foot on a removable footrest 155 provided on the upper edge of end 21 and while sitting on seat 143 can exercise with the oars 151 in a rowing manner.

From the foregoing description, it will be understood that a very compact, versatile and uniquely constructed home gymnasium is provided for use by the entire family. In addition, such an apparatus is provided which can be readily stored, as for example, by unfastening the lower ones of fastening means 51 from the supports 47, 49, unfastening the lower ends of the braces 53, 55 pivoting the supports to positions along the opposite sides of base 13, storing the detachable pieces of equipment, such as punching bag 89, foot rest 155, etc., in compartments 31, 33, and then standing base 13 on end 19 so that it can be moved out of the way against a wall or stored in a closet. Further, it will be understood that the apparatus 11 of the present invention is particularly adapted for the home since it is not necessary to permanently attach any of the devices to walls, etc., as was heretofore necessary, as for example, with the previous punching bags. Thus, a free standing punching bag is provided wherein with the use of the base plate 117 and the unique saddle construction at 99, the punching bag has a very steady foundation and backing.

Although the invention has been described and illustrated with respect to a preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that it is not to be so limited since changes and modifications may be made therein which are within the full intended scope of this invention as hereinafter claimed.

We claim:

1. A physical fitness apparatus comprising a free standing base having a top and a bottom and being adapted to rest on a supporting surface, said base including ledge means adjacent the top thereof, a base plate received on said ledge means and removable therefrom, a seat including wheel means for rollingly engaging said ledge means when said base plate is removed for movement back and forth in rowing exercises, a pair of oars pivotally mounted on said base for use in the rowing exercises, said base plate being provided with a hole therethrough, a plurality of cushion means on the upper side of said base. plate, a board resting on said cushion means and supported in a slanting position, vibration means attached to said board on the under side thereof and extending through said hole, stop means on the under side of said board extending into said hole and engaging said base plate for holding said board in position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which is included a pair of vertical supports attached to said base and upstanding therefrom on opposite sides thereof, a punching bag,

means mounting said punching bag from said pair of vertical supports.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 in which said means mounting said punching bag comprises a support bar, means coupling said punching bag to said support bar, a ring attached to said support bar in position to be engaged by said punching bag when being punched, an upwardly facing saddle, brace means supporting said saddle above said ring, a chinning bar extending between said vertical supports; said support bar, said means coupling said punching bag to said support bar, said ring, said saddle and said brace means comprising an assembly; means turnable mounting said support bar adjacent one end thereof on one of said vertical supports for movement of said as sembly between a first position in which said punching bag is in position for use and a second position in which said assembly is out of the way of said chinning bar for use of said chinning bar, when said assembly is in said first position, said chinning bar being engaged by said saddle to brace said ring and said punching bag, and means interposed between said support bar adjacent the opposite end thereof from said means turnably mounting said support bar and the other of said vertical supports for fastening said support bar to said other of said vertical supports in a substantially horizontal position between said vertical supports.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said base includes means defining a vertical opening from top to bottom of said base, a positioning block in said vertical opening adjacent the lower part thereof, strap means extending across said opening adjacent the lower part thereof and supporting said positioning block, said base plate being positionable in a position to rest on the supporting surface and on said strap means in line with said opening with said positioning block being received in said hole in said base plate.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 in which said base includes a pair of compartments for holding articles and cover plates thereover on opposite sides of said vertical opening.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,752,412 4/1930 Blickman 272-78 1,928,089 9/1933 Blickman 27278 2,674,993 4/ 1954 Harrell 128-33 RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. A PHYSICAL FITNESS APPARATUS COMPRISING A FREE STANDING BASE HAVING A TOP AND A BOTTOM AND BEING ADAPTED TO REST ON A SUPPORTING SURFACE, SAID BASE INCLUDING LEDGE MEANS ADJACENT THE TOP THEREOF, A BASE PLATE RECEIVED ON SAID LEDGE MEANS AND REMOVABLE THEREFROM, A SEAT INCLUDING WHEEL MEANS FOR ROLLINGLY ENGAGING SAID LEDGE MEANS WHEN SAID BASE PLATE IS REMOVED FOR MOVEMENT BACK AND FORTH IN ROWING EXERCISES, A PAIR OF OARS PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID BASE FOR USE IN THE ROWING EXERCISES, SAID BASE PLATE

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