US478166A - Exercising apparatus - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.)

W. MADSEN. EXERCISING APPARATUS.

Patented July 5, 1892.

rma/s UNTTED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

VILLIAM MADSEN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

EXERCISING APPARATUS.

SPLECIFICATIONA forming part of Letters Patent N0. 478,166, dated July 5, 1892. Application tiled February l0, 1892. Serial No. 420.938. (No model.)

Chicago, in the county of Cook, State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Exercising Apparatus, of

which I do declare the following to be a full,-

clear; and exact description, reference being had to theY accompanying drawings, forming part of this speciiication.

My invention consistsin the novel features of construction hereinafter described, illustrated inthe accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the claims at the end of this specification.

Figure l is a View in front elevation of an apparatus embodying my invention, the particular form of apparatus shown in this figure being especially designed for strengthening more particularly the abdominal muscles. Fig. 2 is aview in vertical section of a portion of the apparatus illustrated inl Fig. 1, the saddle being shown in side elevation. Fig. 3 is a View in sideelevatio'n illustrating how my apparatus may be applied for strengthening the muscles of the legs and feet. Fig. 4 is a further modified form of the apparatus, designed more particularly for correcting deformities of the ankles. Fig. 5 is a detail side View of part of the spindl f. Y

Referring to the apparatus illustrated in Fig. l, A designates a pedestal, from which rises an adjustable spindle B, carrying at its upper end a spider-frame C, the arms of which are connected to the bearing-base D. This bearing-base D is perforated to receive a nut E, the flange e of which is suitably fastened to the bearing-base, and through this nut passes a screw-spindle F, the upper end of which is furnished with a ball f, over which sets the socket G, the ball and socket being held together by a perforated plate g, fastened to the socket G. The socket G is secured to thevunder side of the rolling plate H, to the upper face of which is secured a bearing-plate K, that is provided with a seat or perforation k to receive the pivot-pin l, projecting from the pivot-plate L, that is attached to the under side of the saddle M. The bearing-plate K is preferably formed with an upwardly-extending flange k', Vupon which the under face of the pivot-plate L will be supported. The saddle M `may be of any convenient shape, but is preferably formed as shown-that is to say, With the front and rear elevated portions-to more securely seat the user during the exercising operation.

I/Vhen the apparatusis designed for developin g thebody-muscles, and more particularly the abdominal muscles, it will preferably be placed between vvertical bars O, that can be conveniently grasped by the user in order not only to better steady himself and direct the rolling movement of the apparatus, but also to enable him to maintain the upper portion of the body in somewhat rigid position, with the chest thrown well forward, so that by shifting the lower portion of the body a rolling movement of theplate H upon the bearing-base is effected, thus bringing into play more particularly the various abdominal' muscles. inasmuch as the saddle and the rolling plate H are sustained by the ball-and-socket support above described, it is manifest that an easy rolling movement of the plate H upon the bearing-base D can be secured, and by adjusting the spindle F upward or downward within the socket E (its position being secured by thelock-nut F).

the degree of inclination of the rolling plate H, and consequently of the saddle M, can be varied, as desired, with a corresponding variation in the work thrown upon the muscles. inasmuch as the rolling movement of the plate H upon the base D is dependent upon the user of the apparatus, it is manifest that the muscles to be developed Will be better called in play than would be possible if the rolling movement of the plate were effected by extraneous force. Moreover, the user is enabled with an apparatus suoli asI have above described and which is dependent upon his own movements to vary the direcvtion of, the rolling movement and modify it,

as may be desired.

My object in mountingthe saddle M in pivotal fashion'upon the rolling plate H is to compensate for the rotative or slowly-advancing movement due to the fact that the rolling plate H is operating at an angle to the bearing-base D; but manifestly when the saddle is thus pivotally sustained upon the rolling plate H the user may maintain a uniform frontage, notwithstanding 'the rotative -or slowly-advancing movement of the roll-ing plate H, since the pivotal relation of the saddle to the rolling plate permits a slight slip of these parts with respect to each other to compensate for the rotating or advancing movement of the rolling plate.

In the modified embodiment of my invention illustrated in Fig. 3 the mechanism will be the same as that hereinbefore described, with the exception that instead of a saddle M a foot-plate N will be employed, the foot-- plate illustrated in such view of the drawings having a flat upper surface. In the use of this form of the invention, which is especially designed for developing the muscles of the feet and legs, the user will place Vhis feet squarely upon the upper face of the foot-plate N, and by imparting a rolling movement to this plate and to the rolling plate II beneath it strains will be thrown upon the muscles of the legs and feet as the position of the foot-plate is shifted, thereby effectively serving to bring such muscles into play. The foot-plate N is provided upon its under side with a pivot-plate L, the same illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings, and in like manner supported upon a rest-plate K, thatis secured to the rolling plate Il. I have not deemed it necessary to illustrate in detail the ball-andsocket mechanism for sustaining the rolling plate nor to illustrate in full the bearing-base D, as these parts will be, identical with the construction hereinbefore described.

In the modified form of the invention illustrated in Fig. et the parts are the same in construction as hercinbefore described with the exception that the l`ootplate N has a conical upper surface. This form of the invention is more especially designed for use where there is a tendency toward weak ankles, and in practice the user will place his feet upon opposite sides of the cone and will then impart a rolling movementto the rolling plate II and the foot-plate l thereby bringing into play the various muscles of the feet and legs, particularly the muscles of the ankle, by reason of the peculiar position in which the feet are sustained on account of the shape of the foot-plate. The spindle B, besides being vertically adjustable, is by preference also constructed in such manner that the bearing base can be tipped or inclined at an angle, the purpose of such construction being to enable certain m usclcs to be subjected to greater exercise or strain than others. In the drawings I have shown the spindle B as formed of sections, the abutting ends of which are provided with notched faces I), held together by adjusting-bolt b', and it is obvious that by this means the adjustment of the bearingplate D to any desired angle can be readily effected. lVhen the bearing-plateis thus adjusted, the lock-nut b2 upon the lower end of the screw-spindle B will be set tightly against the nut through which the screw-spindle passes, thereby holding this spindle securely against rotation.

It will be seen that in the several modified forms of my invention above illustrated a rest is provided whereon the weight of the user of the apparatus will be exerted-allai is to say, in the construction shown in Fig. l the saddle constitutes a rest to sustain the entire body ot' the user, and in Figs. 3 and Althe foot-plates constitute rests for sustaining the users feet.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In an exercising apparatus, .the combination, with a suitable rest, of a universal joint for supporting said rest and a bearingbase whereon said part may roll, substantially as described.

2. In an exercising apparatus, the combination, with a suitable rest, of a ball-andsocket support for said rest and a bearingbase whereby said rest may be sustained as a rolling movement is given thereto, substantiallyas described.

In an exercising apparatus, the combination, with a suitable rest, of a bearing-base and a universal joint for supporting said rest and means for vertically adj usting said universal joint, substantially as described.

el. In an exercising apparatus, the combination, with a suitable rest, of a bearing-base whereby said rest is sustained as a rolling movement is imparted thereto, a screw-spindle F, provided with a ball, and a socket suitably connected with the rest for receivingl said ball of the spindle, substantially as described.

5. In an exercising apparatus, the combination, with a rest, of a rolling plate to which said rest is loosely connected, a bearing-base whereon said rolling plate may travel, and a universal joint for sustaining said rolling plate, substantially as described. (5. In an exercising apparatus, the combination, with a rest, of a rolling plate to which said rest is loosely connected, a bearing-base whereon said rolling plate may travel, and a universal joint for sustaining said, rolling plate, and suitable devices adapted to be grasped by the user, substantially as described.

7. The combination, with a foot-plate having a tapering upper surface, of a universal joint for sustaining said footplate, substantially as described.

8. The combination of a foot-plate having a tapering upper surface, a bearing-base for supporting the foot-plate during the rolling movement, and a universal joint for sustaining said foot-plate, substantially as described.

9. In an exercising apparatus, the combination, with a pedestal A, of a rest, a universal joint for supporting said rest, and an adjustable spindle or support whereby said rest can be adjusted at any desired angle, substantially as described.

IVILLIAM MADSEN.

lVi tnesses J. CARPENTER, FRED GERLAcI-I.

ICO

IIO

Images