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 thesurface S. Base 13 comprises a pair of spaced andparallel sides 15, 17 interconnected adjacent the ends thereof by the spaced andparallel ends 19, 21. The upper edge ofbase 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 ofsides 15, 17 and theends 19, 21 are preferably undercut or cut out to establish thelegs 25 at the four corners of thebase 13, which are the actual portions of the base resting onsurface S. Base 13 includes a pair of longitudinally extending spaced apartvertical walls 27, 29 which respectively extend betweenends 19, 21 and are attached therto.Walls 27, 29 are respectively in parallel spaced relationship tosides 15, 17 and are between the sides to divide the base into a pair ofcompartments 31, 33 that extend the length of the base and avertical opening 35 extending through the base from top to bottom thereof. In other words,vertical opening 35 is defined by the inside intermediate portions ofends 19, 21 and the opposing surfaces of thewalls 27, 29.Compartments 31, 33 are respectively provided withbottoms 37, 39 respectively secured between theside 15 andwall 27 and betweenside 17 andwall 29. Thebottoms 37, 39 respectively extend the length of thecompartment 31, 33 between theends 19, 21. Thecompartments 31, 33 are respectively provided withremovable coverplates 41, 43 over the tops of the compartments. Each of thecovers 41, 43 are preferably provided withapertures 45 for use in removing the covers.

A pair ofvertical supports 47, 49 are removably attached as by suitable fastening means 51 to theopposite sides 15, 17 ofbase 13 intermediate the ends thereof andadjacent end 19.Supports 47, 49 upstand frombase 13 and are braced byremovable braces 53, 55 respectively extending between thesupports 47, 49 andbase 13. A pair ofsleeves 57, 59 are respectively slidably mounted onsupports 47, 49 and are adapted to be held in selected vertical positions on the supports as by means of theremovable pins 61 extending through aligned apertures in the sleeves and a selected one of a plurality ofapertures 63 in the supports to adjust the height of the sleeves.

Ahorizontal chinning bar 65 is supported at opposite ends thereof fromsleeves 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 69sleeve 59 is provided with an integrally formed bearingportion 71 therearound. Anouter sleeve 73 is turnably mounted on bearingportion 71 for turn about a vertical axis coincident with the centerline of thesupport 49.Outer sleeve 73 is held against vertical movement relative tosleeve 59 by means of the upper andlower flanges 75, 77 provided on bearingportion 71. Alocking screw 79 having ahandle 81 is preferably provided and threadedly engaged in a threaded aperture inouter sleeve 73 so that if desired the locking screw can be turned to engage the end thereof on bearingportion 71 to lock theouter sleeve 73 against turning movement relative to the bearing portion. Aprojection 83 is formed onouter sleeve 73 and extends outwardly therefrom. Asupport bar 85 is pivotally attached as at 87 by suitable means to projection 83. Apunching bag 89 is coupled to supportbar 85 intermediate the ends thereof by suitable coupling means as at 91.

Aring 93 is supported fromsupport bar 85 by suitable means as thefasteners 95 and theresilient pads 97.Ring 93 is mounted concentric withpunching bag 89 with coupling means 91 in the center thereof so that when the punching bag is used, it will bounce against thering 93. An upwardly facingsaddle 99 which is preferably in the shape of substantially one-half of a cylinder is supported above and centrally ofring 93 by means of thebraces 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 onring 93 by suitable means as thefasteners 105 andpads 107. Aresilient pad 109 is preferably provided on the upper side ofsaddle 99 and forms a part of the saddle. The assembly 111 which comprises ingeneral sleeve 73,projection 83,support bar 85,punching bag 89, coupling means 91,ring 93,saddle 99, andbraces 101, 103 is movable between a first position in which thepunching 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 withchinning bar 65 as best seen in FIGS. 2 and which aids in the bracing of the punching bag during use thereof. In other words, thechinning bar 65 backs up thering 93 so that when thepunching bag 89 hits the ring, it is braced through thebraces 101, 103 and the chinning bar. Also, it will be understood that when assembly 111 is in said first position, thesupport 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 onsleeve 57 by suitable means as thepin 113 extending through aligned apertures in abracket 115 and in the end of the support bar.Bracket 115 is fixedly attached tosleeve 57. From the foregoing it will be understood that thechinning bar 65,support bar 85, and assembly 111 can be moved as a unit to vary the height thereof by positioning thesleeves 57, 59.

When apparatus 11 is being used for punching bag exercises, a substantiallyrectangular base plate 117 which is substantially the size ofvertical 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 thepunching bag 89.Base plate 117 rests partially on the supporting surface S and partially on astrap 119, which in turn is fixedly attached tobottoms 37, 39 by suitable means and which strap extends across opening 35 adjacent the lower part thereof.Base plate 117 is provided with asquare hole 121 therethrough and centrally thereof which removably receives a complementaryshaped positioning block 123 that is fixedly attached tostrap 119 intermediate the ends thereof and on the top thereof. Thus, whenbase plate 117 is put in place with apositioning block 123 received inhole 121, the base plate is substantially in alignment withvertical opening 35 so that the base plate forms a floor for thebase 13. It will be understood thatbase plate 117 can be put into place and taken out of place from engagement withpositioning block 123 by sliding the base plate endwise beneath theends 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 thesurface 125 ofbase plate 117 are fixedly attached a plurality ofresilient pads 127 which contact the surface S and which are substantially the same thickness asstrap 119 so that thebase plate 117 will lie substantially flat when in position onblock 123. In addition, it will be understood thatpads 127 provide resistance means so that thebase 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 thenpads 127 are facing upwardly, as best seen in FIG. 6, and the base plate is fitted in the upper part ofvertical opening 35.Base plate 117 is supported in the above-mentioned position by means of theledges 129 respectively fixedly attached to the inner sides ofends 19, 21 and recessed downwardly from the upper edges thereof, and by means of theledges 131 attached towalls 27, 29 and spaced downwardly from the upper edges thereof. In other words, theledges 129, 131 form a continuous horizontal ledge means around the upper portion ofvertical opening 35, so that when thebase plate 117 is fitted on top of the ledge means, the upper surface of the base plate will fit flush with the upper surfaces ofcovers 41, 43. Next,slantboard 23 is placed on top ofbase plate 117 as best seen in FIG. 1. On thebottom surface 133 ofslantboard 23 is provided a vibratingmotor 135 of suitable construction which is attached to the slantboard and which is powered by a suitable source of electricity as through thecord 137. In addition, on thebottom surface 133adjacent motor 135 is provided astop 139 that engages theedge 141 ofbase plate 17 which defines one edge of thehole 121 so that the slantboard will be held against sliding movement onbase plate 117. It will be understood that whenslantboard 23 is placed onbase plate 117, as above described, the vibratingmotor 135 and stop 139 will extend intohole 121 and the slantboard will be resiliently supported frombase plate 117 by theresilient pads 127 so that the vibratingmotor 135 effectively vibrates the slantboard. Theslantboard 23, as will be seen in FIG. 1, preferably extends beyond theends 19, 21 of the base 13 but is substantially the same width as thebase plate 117.

When it is desired to use apparatus 11 for rowing exercises, slantboard 23 andbase plate 117 are removed and aseat 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 thebrackets 147 and axles 149 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 11).Seat 143 is placed onbase 13 with one pair ofwheels 145 engaging the top surface of one ofledges 131 and the other pair ofwheels 145 engaging theother ledge 131, as best seen in FIG. 11, so that the seat can roll back and forth with theledges 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 ofoars 151 are pivotally mounted by suitable means as at 153 fromsides 15, 17 adjacent end 21. Pivot means 153 are of any suitable well known type which preferably give resistance to the movement ofoars 151 so that a person can put his foot on aremovable footrest 155 provided on the upper edge of end 21 and while sitting onseat 143 can exercise with theoars 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 thesupports 47, 49, unfastening the lower ends of thebraces 53, 55 pivoting the supports to positions along the opposite sides ofbase 13, storing the detachable pieces of equipment, such as punchingbag 89,foot rest 155, etc., incompartments 31, 33, and then standingbase 13 onend 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 thebase 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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