Exercise apparatus

Abstract

 An exercise apparatus comprises a track system (11, 12) with a weight carriage (13) movable up and down the track system (11, 12) by means of a flexible tape (14) which is connected between the carriage (13) and a user engagement element such as a foot strap. The tape (14) extends over a guide system (15) so that, when the carriage (13) is pulled upwardly, a resistance is afforded dependent on the weight of the carriage (13) as amplified in its effect by the degree of deflection of the flexible tape (14) through the guide system (15).

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] This invention relates to exercise apparatus.

Background to the Invention

[0002] It is generally recognised that exercising various muscles against a progressively increasing resistance will lead to an improve­ment in bodily strength and cardio-vascular fitness. Various types of machines using weights to provide the resistance can be used but these are of necessity either quite heavy, bulky or expensive. In addition, heavy weights can be noisy and dangerous, especially if dropped.

[0003] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide exercise apparatus suitable for wall, door or floor mounting, which is smaller, safer and requires a smaller complement of weights to provide a wide range of progressive resistance exercise movements.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to one aspect of the present invention there is pro­vided exercise apparatus comprising a track system having a substantially vertical component, a weight carriage for move­ment up and down the track system, a flexible elongate friction element connected between the carriage and user engagement means, and a guide system over which the friction element passes whereby movement of the user engagement means causes the friction element to slide frictionally over at least one stationary element in the guide system while at the same time moving the carriage along the track system.

[0005] The friction element may be a flat tape and the guide system may include a plurality of stationary cylindrical guides with means provided for varying the angular extent of frictional contact between the tape and the cylindrical guides.

[0006] According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided exercise apparatus comprising a substantially ver­tical guide track and a weight carriage for movement up and down the track, a flexible tape connected to the weight carriage and means whereby, when the weight carriage is pulled upwardly by movement of the flexible tape, a resistance is afforded according to the weight of the weight carriage, which weight is amplified in its effect by the degree of deflection of the flexible tape through a frictional guide system.

[0007] A handle or foot strap may be connected to the flexible tape selectively at upper and lower positions with, at the upper position, the handle or foot strap being attached to a rope which passes around a pulley which, in turn, is connected to the tape.

[0008] The substantially vertical guide track may be afforded by a frame having upper and lower transversely extending frame members which have extension pieces that are movable teles­copically relative to the frame members and terminate in resilient gripping elements whereby the frame can be positively located in an open doorway.

[0009] Means are preferably provided for effecting controlled movement of the extension pieces to urge the gripping elements into engagement with the door frame, and then to hold the extension pieces and gripping elements in the desired position of adjust­ment.

[0010] The frame may alternatively be provided with upper and lower fixing plates, with means provided whereby said fixing plates are alternatively connectable to either wall mounted plates or transversely extending frame members which have extension pieces that are movable telescopically relative to the frame members and terminate in resilient gripping elements whereby the frame can be positively located in an open doorway.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011] 

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a first embodiment of exercise apparatus in accordance with the invention,

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the apparatus of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a cutaway side elevation of part of the guide system shown in Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a plan view of an attachment for the apparatus shown in Figure 1,

Figure 5 shows the apparatus of Figures 1 to 4 in one mode of use,

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic side view showing a second embodi­ment of exercise apparatus,

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a preferred form of pulley forming part of the apparatus of Figure 6,

Figure 8 is a front elevation of a third embodiment of exercise apparatus,

Figure 9 is a side elevation of the apparatus shown in Figure 8,

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the upper part of the appara­tus shown in Figures 8, and 9,

Figure 11 is a side view of a modification to the apparatus shown in Figures 8 to 10,

Figure 12 is a side view of a further embodiment of exercise apparatus illustrating the method of mounting the apparatus on a wall,

Figure 13 is a rear view of the frame of the apparatus of Figure 12 but showing the method of mounting the apparatus in an open doorway,

Figure 14 is an exploded view showing the components of one of the door clamp assemblies shown in Figure 13.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments

[0012] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the first embodiment of exercise apparatus comprises a pair of vertical guides 11 and 12 which together define a vertical track. A weight carriage 13 is arranged to move up and down the track afforded by the guides 11 and 12 and there is a flat nylon webbing tape 14 one end of which is attached to the carriage 13. The nylon webbing tape 14 extends upwardly from the carriage 13 through a guide system 15 attached to a cross member 16 which inter­connects the upper ends of the vertical guides 11 and 12; the tape 14 then extends down and around an upwardly angled guide member 17 which is attached to the vertical guides 11 and 12 adjacent the lower ends thereof. The other end of the tape 14 terminates in a loop 18 which is connected to a hook 19 depending downwardly from a pulley 21.

[0013] One end of a rope 22 is attached to a fixing point adjacent the cross member 16 and the rope 22 extends downwardly from the cross member 16, around the pulley 21, and then back up to a pulley 23 disposed adjacent the cross member 16 (see Figure 2). A handle 24 is attached to the free end of the rope 22.

[0014] The two guides 11 and 12 which provide the vertical track are formed from square section steel tube and the two tubes are arranged parallel to one another with the sides of the tubes so orientated that the diagonals of the cross sections of the tubes extend transversely and in a fore and aft direction. The guide tubes 11 and 12 are mounted on a base 25 which carries a pair of footrests 41 and 42. Adjacent the lower end of each vertical guide 11, 12 there is a bracing stop 26, 27 and, adjacent the upper ends of the vertical guide tubes 11 and 12 ,there are square section sockets 28, 29 which extend outwards at an angle of 45° to the plane of movement of the weight carriage 13. The sockets 28 and 29 receive handles 31 and 32 which have complimentary square section inserts so that they can be inserted non rotatably in the sockets 28 and 29 in the required orientations. One of the guides 11 carries an inwardly angled square section socket 33 which is arranged to receive an additional brace member 34 which is shown in Figures 4 and 5.

[0015] The guide system 15, which is attached to the cross member 16 and is shown in more detail in Figure 3, includes two fixed cylindrical guides 35 and 36 over which the tape 14 is arranged to pass, and a displaceable, but non-rotatable, cylindrical guide 37 which engages the tape 14 at a position between the two fixed guides 35 and 36. The displaceable guide 37 is pivotally mounted on an axle 38 and the angular position of the displaceable guide 37 can be adjusted by means of a lever 39. Angular movement of the displaceable guide 37 about the axis of the axle 38 results in variation of the angular extent of frictional contact between the tape 14 and the guides 35, 36 and 37. As will be apparant from an exam­ination of Figure 3, movement of the lever 39 in a clockwise direction will effect an increase in the angular extent of frictional contact between the tape 14 and the guides 35, 36 and 37 and thus an increase in the frictional resistance to movement of the weight carriage 13.

[0016] The apparatus is provided with flanges 43, 44, 45 and 46 by means of which it can be bolted to a wall. Alternatively, or in addition, the apparatus can be provided with means whereby it can be bolted to the floor. As a further alter­native the apparatus may include a portable platform base.

[0017] In one mode of use, the apparatus is positioned as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the user grasps the handle 24 and pulls on the handle. Pulling on the handle 24 results in movement of the rope 22 which raises the pulley 21 which, in turn, draws the tape 14 through the guide system 15. At the same time, movement of the tape 14 raises the carriage 13 together with any weights which may have been placed on the carriage 13. As can be seen from Figure 2, the carriage 13 includes a horizontal platform onto which any desired weights can be placed. The weight of the carriage 13 and of the weights placed on the carriage 13 maintains a tension in the tape 14 which results in a frictional resistance to its sliding over the cylindrical guides 35, 36 and 37. The degree of fric­tional resistance is dependent upon both the angular extent of frictional contact and the amount of weight being raised, since this affects the co-efficient of sliding friction between the tape 14 and the guides 35, 36 and 37.

[0018] In a second mode of operation, the hook 19 is detached from the tape 14 and a double handle (not shown) is attached to the loop 18. The user sits on the floor and, by placing his feet against the footrests 41 and 42, the user can grasp the double handle and perform an exercise similar to rowing.

[0019] In a third mode of operation (as shown in Figure 5), the double handle is replaced by a foot strap 43 and the brace member 34 is fitted in the socket 33. A foot is engaged in the foot strap 43 and the user of the apparatus can then perform appropriate leg exercises.

[0020] Turning next to the embodiment shown somewhat diagrammatically in Figure 6, the overall design of the apparatus is similar to the first embodiment. However, in this embodiment, the pulley and rope system 21, 22, 23 is not utilised and the path followed by the tape 14 is modified. One end of the tape 14 carries a hook 51 for attachment of a handle and, from this end, the tape extends over a pulley 52 (see Figure 7) which has a freely rotatable roller and the tape then passes around a pair of fixed guides 53 and 54. From the fixed guides 53 and 54 the tape passes down to the carriage 13, around a guide 55 on the carriage 13, back up to another pair of fixed guides 56 and 57 and then down to the base of the apparatus.

[0021] At the base, the tape passes around two further guides 58 and 59, which may be either fixed or rotatable and it then passes over a final pair of fixed guides 61 and 62 the latter one of which corresponds in function to the upwardly angled guide 17 of the first embodiment. This end of the tape 14 carries a hook 63 for the attachment of a handle or foot strap.

[0022] In use, one end of the tape 14 is fixed and the other end is pulled by means of a handle or foot strap. The end which is pulled can be either that provided with the hook 51 or that provided with the hook 63. In either case, the weight carriage 13 (and any associated weights) is raised and the tape 14 slides either over the fixed guides 53 and 54 or the fixed guides 56, 57, 61 and 62, depending upon which end of the tape 14 is pulled.

[0023] This embodiment differs from the first in that it is a little less versatile, since all the guides are fixed. It does, however, provide a wide range of exercises since provision is made for attachment of a handle or foot strap at either a low position, i.e. attachment to the hook 63, or at a higher position, i.e. attachment to the hook 51. The design is simpler than the first embodiment in that it dispenses with the rope 22 and the pulley 21. Easier access to the carriage 13 is afforded. In addition, it also tends to give a longer pull movement from the lower position.

[0024] Turning next to Figures 8 and 9, these show an exercise appara­tus which comprises a vertical guide track 70 on which a weight carriage 71 is slideably mounted for movement up and down the vertical track 70. One end of a flexible tape 72 is connected to the carriage 71 from which it passes upwards towards the top of the track and over the centre of a fixed tubular handle bar 73. The handle bar 73 is provided at its ends with hand grip elements 74 and the centre portion of the handle bar 73 serves as a friction guide around which the tape 72 is deflected through an angle of 180° so as to extend downwardly towards a curved friction guide 75. As shown in Figure 10, a bracket 76 is attached to the centre portion of the fixed tubular handle bar 73 and an aperture is formed in the bracket 76 adjacent said centre portion to allow passage of the tape 72 over the centre portion of the handle bar 73, said centre portion acting as a friction guide over which the tape 72 is entrained.

[0025] After passing around the lower friction guide 75, the tape 72 extends upwardly and terminates in a chain link 77, the chain link 77 being stitched to the end of the tape 72 and attached to a hook 78 extending downwardly from a pulley 79. One end of a rope 80 is attached to the bracket 76 and the rope 80 extends downwardly from the bracket 76 and passes around the freely rotating pulley wheel 79. The rope 80 then extends upwardly and around a freely mounted pulley 81, the housing of which is connected by a link to the bracket 76. A handle 82 is attached to the other end of the rope 80. The apparatus includes an upper fixing plate 83 formed with apertures and a pair of lower fixing plates 84 and 85 also formed with apertures, the fixing plates 83, 84 and 85 providing a means whereby the apparatus can be screwed or bolted to a wall. Alternatively, or in addition, the apparatus may include fixing means whereby it can be bolted to the floor or to a portable platform base.

[0026] In one mode of use, the user grasps the handle 82 and pulls. This causes the rope 80 to raise the pulley 79 which, in turn, draws the tape 72 around the upper and lower friction guides 73 and 75. At the same time, the movement of the tape 72 raises the carriage 71 and any weights supported thereon. The weight of the carriage 71 and any weights placed thereon, for example the weights 86 shown in Figures 8 and 9, maintain a tension in the tape 72 which results in a fric­tional resistance to sliding of the tape 72 around the friction guides 73 and 75. The degree of frictional resistance is dependent upon both the amount of weight being raised and the degree of deflection of the friction tape around the guides since this affects the co-efficient of sliding friction.

[0027] In a second mode of operation, the hooke 78 is detached from the end of the tape which is then attached by means of the chain link 77 to a double handle (not shown). At the base of the apparatus there are fitted a pair of foot rests 87 and, by seating himself on the floor and placing his feet against the foot rests 87, the user can pull on the double handle and perform an exercise similar to rowing.

[0028] In a third mode of operation, the double handle is replaced by a foot strap (again not shown) in order for leg exercises to be carried out. During such exercises, the hand grips 74, which are positioned a little below average adult waist height, provide the user with a means of steadying support.

[0029] If it is desired to calibrate and extend the range of progress­ive resistance levels offered to the user of the apparatus, then means to vary the degree of deflection of the friction tape may be provided. Figure 11 illustrates one method by which this feature can be incorporated in an apparatus having the basic constructional features described above in relation to Figures 8, 9 and 10.

[0030] As shown in Figure 11, a pair of struts 88 are attached to the bracket 76, the struts 88 being spaced apart so as to allow the tape 72 to pass between them. The struts 88 support an additional fixed guide 89 above the fixed guide 73 and, interposed between the fixed guides 73 and 89, there is a displaceable guide 90 which is attached to the end of a shank 91 of square or rectangular cross section, said shank being telescopically housed in a correspondingly square or rectangular socket 92. The displaceable guide 90 is of such length that it extends outwardly on one or both sides of the tape 72 in order to provide a grip by means of which the displaceable guide 90 can be retracted from or advanced against the tape 72. The displaceable guide 90 is secured in a desired position of adjustment by means of a pin 93 which can be fitted in any one of a row of holes formed in the shank 91. The displaceable guide 90 and shank 91 can be adjusted between a position in which the displaceable guide is clear of the friction tape 72, a position in which the tape 72 just contacts the displaceable guide 90 and a position as shown in Figure 11 in which the tape 72 is entrained around a significant part of the circumference of the displaceable guide 90. It is also to be noted that, as the degree of entrainment of the tape 72 around the guide 90 is increased, there is a correspond­ing increase in the degree of entrainment of the tape 72 around the two fixed guides 73 and 89.

[0031] The apparatus shown in Figure 12 is intended to be mounted on a wall 100 which is provided with upper and lower mounting plates 101 and 102 attached permanently to the wall 100 by suitable fasteners (not shown). Each mounting plate 101, 102 carries a pair of rotatable bolts 103 and the frame of the apparatus includes upper and lower fixing plates 104 and 105 whose spacing corresponds to that of the mounting plates 101 and 102. The fixing plates 104 and 105 are formed either with apertures or with cut-outs whereby the shanks of the bolts 103 can pass through the apertures or cut-outs to attach the fixing plates 104 and 105 securely to the mounting plates 101 and 102 and thus secure the exercising apparatus firmly to the wall 100.

[0032] The exercising apparatus includes a vertical column 106 which provides the main frame of the device with upper and lower frame elements 107 and 108 carrying the fixing plates 104 and 105.

[0033] The vertical column 106 functions as a guide and vertical track for a weight carriage 109 which is freely slideable up and down the column 106 between a lower limiting position in which it rests on the lower frame element 108 and an upper limiting position in which it abuts an upper guide element 110. The carriage 109 includes a channel-section element which embraces the column 106, the side walls of the channel having inturned flanges and a tube 111 is connected to these flanges 112 (see Figure 13).

[0034] A flat woven nylon tape 113 is anchored at one end of the tube 111, the tape 113 being provided at its end with a loop within which the tube 111 is received. The tape 113 passes over the upper guide element 110 and then extends downwardly and passes under a lower guide element 114, with the end of the tape 113 connected to a pulley block 115. The pulley block 115 carries a pulley wheel over which a cord 116 is entrained, the cord 116 being attached to one end of a fixture 117 adjacent the upper guide element 110, the cord passing over a pulley 118 and the free end of the cord 116 being provided with a loop into which a handle (not shown) can be inserted.

[0035] The lower end portion of the column 106 is connected by a block 119 to a pair of upwardly extending foot-rest elements 120 which are connected together by the lower guide element 114. A secondary guide element 121 in the form of a cylindrical tube extends across the upper ends of the foot-rest elements 120. The arrangement is such that the end of the tape connected to the pulley block 115 can be disconnected therefrom, said tape end being provided with a loop into which a handle can be inserted such that exercises can be carried out by pulling on the handle in any of the directions indicated by the double-­headed arrows in Figure 12. When the tape 113 is pulled either with the hands or the feet, the carriage 109 is moved upwardly relative to the column 106 and the resistance to movement of the tape is dependant on the weight of the carriage 109 and on the frictional engagement between the tape 113 and the guide elements over which the tape 113 is entrained. The frictional resistance is greatest when the applied force is in the direction indicated by the arrow 'C' and as the degree by which the tape 113 is wrapped round the guide element 121 decreases so the frictional restraint decreases. Similarly, when the applied pulling force is in the direction of the arrow 'D', the frictional restraint is less than when the applied force is in the direction indicated by the arrow 'A'.

[0036] When the tape 113 is connected to the pulley block 115, move­ment of the carriage 109 up and down the column 106 can be effected by appropriate pulling of the cord 116 and the direction in which the cord is pulled can be varied as indicated to vary the exercise which is carried out.

[0037] If the resistance to movement is to be increased, an additional weight can be placed on the carriage 109, appropriate weight support means (not shown) being provided on the carriage 109 for this purpose.

[0038] The apparatus is shown in Figure 12 for mounting on a wall as would be appropriate to, for example, use of the apparatus in a gymnasium. With, however, the increasing use of exercis­ing apparatus in the home, an additional form of mounting is required and this is illustrated in Figure 13. It is to be noted that, in Figure 13, only the frame structure of the device is shown, the tape 113, the cord 116 and the associated pulleys have not been shown in Figure 13, but the manner in which these are provided will readily be appreciated from a consideration of Figure 12.

[0039] As shown in Figure 13, there are upper and lower mounting arrangements for securing the apparatus in position in an open doorway. The two mounting arrangements are identical and only the upper mounting arrangement will therefore be described. This consists of a plate 112 which is bolted to the upper fixing plate 104 and there is a horizontal tube 123 welded to the plate 122. The tube 123 extends parallel to and is spaced from the upper guide element 110. The components shown in Figure 14 are fitted in each end of the tube 123 and consist of a nut 124, an end cap 125, a hand wheel 126 and a threaded rod 127 which carries a rubber bung 128 at its outer end. The end cap 125 is formed as a plastics moulding and has a flange 129 which bears against the end of the tube 123.

[0040] The nut 124 is first placed in position in the end of the tube 123, the end cap 125 is then positioned in the end of the tube 123. After this, the hand wheel 126 is threaded onto the rod 127 and the rod 127 then inserted into the bore of the end cap 125 for engagement with the nut 124. The extent by which the rod 127 projects from the tube 123 can then be adjusted by rotation of the hand wheel 126.

[0041] The secure the apparatus in position, the apparatus is placed in the doorway so that the rubber bungs 128 are arranged to engage the door frame adjacent the side thereof opposite to that on which the user of the device will be located. The hand wheels 126 of the four clamping assemblies are then rotated to move the rubber bungs outwardly into positive gripping engagement with the door frames. To release the apparatus after exercising has been completed, it is merely necessary to rotate the hand wheels 126 in the opposite direction to effect retraction of the threaded rods 127 and to release the gripping action which has been obtained.

[0042] By providing for a method of mounting an exercising apparatus in an open doorway as shown in Figures 13 and 14 the use of the exercising apparatus in a home environment is greatly facilitated whilst at the same time providing for a wall mounting arrangement (as shown in Figure 12) as would be more appro­priate for a gymnasium.

Claims

1. Exercise apparatus comprising a track system having a substantially vertical component, a weight carriage for move­ment up and down the track system, a flexible elongate friction element connected between the carriage and user engagement means, and a guide system over which the friction element passes whereby movement of the user engagement means causes the friction element to slide frictionally over at least one stationary element in the guide system while at the same time moving the carriage along the track system.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the friction element is a flat tape, the guide system includes a plurality of stationary cylindrical guides and means are provided for varying the angular extent of frictional contact between the tape and the cylindrical guides.

3. Apparatus as claimed in either of the preceding claims, in which a handle is connected to a rope which passes around a pulley and the pulley is connected to the friction element which, in turn, engages the carriage.

4. Exercise apparatus comprising a substantially vertical guide track and a weight carriage for movement up and down the track, a flexible tape connected to the weight carriage and means whereby, when the weight carriage is pulled upwardly by movement of the flexible tape, a resistance is afforded according to the weight of the weight carriage, which weight is amplified in its effect by the degree of deflection of the flexible tape through a frictional guide system.

5. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 4 in which a handle or foot strap is connected to the flexible tape and in which provision is made whereby the handle or foot strap can be connected to the flexible tape at upper and lower positions.

6. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 5, in which, at the upper position, the handle or foot strap is attached to a rope which passes around a pulley and the pulley is connected to the tape.

7. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the substantially vertical guide track is afforded by a frame having upper and lower transversely extending frame members which have extension pieces that are movable telescopically relative to the frame members and terminate in resilient gripping elements whereby the frame can be posi­tively located in an open doorway.

8. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 7, in which means are provided for effecting controlled movement of the extension pieces to urge the gripping elements into engagement with the door frame, and then to hold the extension pieces and gripping elements in the desired position of adjustment.

9. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6, in which the substantially vertical guide track is afforded by a frame having upper and lower fixing plates, with means provided whereby said fixing plates are alternatively connect­able to either wall mounted plates or transversely extending frame members which have extension pieces that are movable telescopically relative to the frame members and terminate in resilient gripping elements whereby the frame can be posi­tively located in an open doorway.

10. Exercise apparatus constructed substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any of the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Drawing