Gymnastic device

Abstract

 A gymnastic device in the form of a swing or trapeze. Substantially horizontal support means (10) are raised from the ground by generally vertical support means (11). Extendible lengthways hands support means (19, 30) are mounted at, or near, one end of the hands support means (19) perpendicularly to the horizontal support means (10) in a manner allowing angular rotation about the horizontal support means, the lengthways hands support means (19, 30) being provided with resistive means (70) arranged in a manner allowing reciprocal motion of the user in an upward forward direction. The hands support means (19, 30) are also provided with locking means (20; 52; 68) adapted to engage the horizontal support means (10) thereby providing a fixed support at a desired position about the horizontal support means. Extendible lengthways legs support means (17, 82) are mounted at, or near, one end of the legs support means (17) perpendicularly to the horizontal support means (10) in a manner allowing rotation about the horizontal support means (10). At, or near, the opposite end of the legs support means (17, 82), foot retention means (84 to 93) are provided, and the legs support means are further provided with resistive means (78) arranged in a manner allowing reciprocal motion of the user in an upward forward direction.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to personal exercise devices for the purpose of exercising of the upper limbs (e.g. the wrist, arm and shoulder muscles).

[0002] Because of the physical demands on the human body, some aspects of gymnastics are only performed by a relatively dedicated few. Swinging about a raised horizontal support is an example. Furthermore, there is the risk of injury and straining of the muscles. The present invention seeks to provide a mechanical aid enabling an average person to exercise her or his upper limbs. The device is provided with resistive reciprocal means to assist the user in performing the exercises. These allow a user of average ability to progress with relatively minimal straining of the muscles.

[0003] This invention provides a gymnastic device comprising: substantially horizontal support means, raised from the ground by generally vertical support means; extendible lengthways hands support means being mounted at, or near, one end of the hands support means perpendicularly to the horizontal support means in a manner allowing angular rotation about the horizontal support means, the said lengthways hands support means being provided with resistive means arranged in a manner allowing reciprocal motion of the user in an upward forward direction, the said hands support means being further provided with locking means adapted to engage the horizontal support means thereby providing a fixed support at a desired position about the horizontal support means; extendible lengthways legs support means being mounted at, or near, one end of the legs support means perpendicularly to the horizontal support means in a manner allowing angular rotation about the horizontal support means and being provided at, or near, the opposite end with foot retention means, the said legs support means being further provided with resistive means arranged in a manner allowing reciprocal motion of the user in an upward forward direction .

[0004] In preferred embodiments, the lengthways support means may comprise trapezes. Moveable extension parts along their lengths may be hinged or sliding extensions for example. Hydraulic resistors and/or springs may be arranged to compel their free ends toward the horizontal support means. Alternatively, three or four separate lengthways support means can be provided, e.g. one for each of the user's hands and legs, in order to enhance the exercises. Releasable means may be provided to reconnect the individual lengthways support means into trapezes if the user desires.

[0005] The locking means may comprise components with curved edges (e.g. semicircular), attached to levers and rotatably mounted eccentrically to the hand support means and in a manner allowing their circumference to engage the horizontal support means, thus producing a locking effect. The levers are preferably operated by wires through flexible hollow cables. For example, at one end the wires are attached to the levers and at their other ends to a spindle rotatably mounted toward the end of the hand support means. The spindle serves as a handgrip while exercising and which the user rotates in order to engage the locking means.

[0006] In operation, the user is initially upright with his or her feet engaged in the foot retention means and with his or her hands on the handgrip. The user then initiates a reciprocal up and down motion against the springs/hydraulic resistors, thus building up momentum to project herself or himself forward/backward as desired. By repeating the process the user is propelled further away from the starting point. By operating the locking means the user is provided with a fixed support against which the user exercises his or her upper limbs in order to progress even further towards a 360 degrees motion around the horizontal support means.

[0007] The device of the invention also allows exercises similar to that performed on a trampoline for example, but with the added benefit of exercising the upper and lower limbs in co-ordination. Also, as the movements of the user are contained and secured within the device, a further benefit is the prevention of injuries, such as a bad landing for example.

[0008] In some embodiments, if preferred, the locking means may consist of a bar with a wedge shaped end. The bar may be slidingly mounted to the lengthways hand support means with its wedge toward the horizontal support means. In operation, when the user rotates the handgrip the bar is wedged between the horizontal support means and a support attached to the hand support means via wires through flexible hollow cables.

[0009] In other embodiments of the device, though the horizontal support means is preferably round in cross section, in order to ensure a firm engagement of the locking means unaffected by liquid (e.g. water), components may be attached to the horizontal support means at its parts where the locking means engage. These may be polygonal (e.g. dodecagonal) in cross section for example. The purpose of this is to allow the use of the device outdoors (as well as indoors) in wet or snowy weather conditions.

[0010] In further embodiments, circular toothed components may be used instead as these would provide even firmer grip between the horizontal support means and the locking means. In such embodiments, as the device allows vigorous exercises if desired, inadvertent operation of the locking means may cause a jolting effect on the user.

[0011] For the user's benefit and convenience, in order to minimise this jolting effect, in a further modification, instead of being fixed to the vertical support means the horizontal support means may be mounted rotatably thereto. And in order to prevent rotation an arrangement of springs/hydraulic resistors with sufficient forces may be mounted compressed between the horizontal support means and the vertical support means. Such an arrangement provides sufficient forces to prevent rotation of the horizontal support means while the user is exercising, but which forces would be overcome and allow rotation if user inadvertently operates the locking means, for example while moving vigorously at speed, thus providing safer exercises for her or him.

[0012] In preferred embodiments, safety means (e.g. a safety harness) may be provided to prevent the risk of injury to the user.

[0013] The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

[0014] Figure 1 is a front view of an embodiment of the invention;

[0015] Figure 2 shows the lower part and Figure 3 the upper part of the hands support means shown in Figure 1;

[0016] Figures 4 and 4A are fragmentary sectional views showing the locking means of Figure 3 in the unlocked and locked states respectively;

[0017] Figure 4B shows a detail of this locking means;

[0018] Figures 5 and 6 show an alternative locking means in cut-away perspective and front elevation respectively;

[0019] Figures 7 and 7A are fragmentary sectional views showing the locking means of Figures 5 and 6 in the unlocked and locked states respectively;

[0020] Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional view showing another alternative locking means in the unlocked state;

[0021] Figure 8A is a fragmentary front view of the locking means of Figure 8;

[0022] Figure 8B is a fragmentary sectional view showing the locking means of Figure 8 in the locked state;

[0023] Figure 9 is a fragmentary perspective cutaway view of the legs support means of the embodiment of Figure 1;

[0024] Figure 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of an alternative legs support means;

[0025] Figures 11 and 11A are respective side and plan views of a foot support means for the invention; and

[0026] Figures 12 and 12A are respective plan and side views of a joint between the vertical support means and the horizontal support means according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0027] The apparatus illustrated in Figure 1 comprises a horizontal support 10, round in cross section and supported above ground by vertical supports 11. Two supports 11 can be provided at (or towards) each end of the horizontal support 10, forming an 'A' frame; only one of each pair of supports being shown in Figure 1.

[0028] The lengthways leg support means, for each of the user's legs, consists of a pair of support bars 17, attached at one end to mounting rings 18. The mounting rings 18 allow rotation of the support bars 17 about horizontal support 10 via their wheels 12. The wheels 12 are rotatably mounted (preferably on ball bearings) to spindles 15. The spindles 15 are attached at their ends, for example, to the mounting rings 18 and are disposed with their axes parallel to horizontal support 10. Four spindles 15, with two wheels each, are provided and are mounted equidistant to each other, as shown in Figure 3 for example. If preferred, a minimum of three pairs of wheels can be provided for each pair of mounting rings 18.

[0029] Each wheel 12 is formed with a circumferential groove (e.g. like a bobbin type wheel) and run on the guide rails 14. The guide rails 14 are attached to horizontal support 10 on its circumference and thus provide a direction of travel for the wheels 12. Each wheel is formed with a groove along its circumference and runs on a guide rail 14. The guide rails 14 are attached to the support 10 along its circumference and provide a direction of travel for the wheel. Towards their ends opposite mounting rings 18, the support bars 17 are provided with foot retention means, to be described later.

[0030] The lengthways hand support means, for each of the user's hands, comprises a pair of support bars 19 attached at one end to the mounting rings 18 in a manner similar to the attachment of the legs support bars 17 and using the same reference numerals for identical parts.

[0031] Supports 103 are attached e.g. to the innermost mounting rings 18 near the support bars (illustrated in Figure 1 only) so as to provide supporting means for straps/harness (not illustrated) for the user's safety while exercising.

[0032] A movable extension to the support bars 19 consists of extension bars 30 (Figure 2). Towards one end, bars 30 are mounted for angular rotation to support bars 19 towards their ends opposite horizontal support 10, via a bolt 39. The bolt 39 is provided with a wing nut 40, enabling the user to releasably secure bars 30 to support bars 19, after adjustments for example. A collar or rigid sleeve (not illustrated) is mounted to bolt 39 between bars 30 for support. The boltholes in bars 19 and 30 for bolt 39 may be threaded for firm attachment.

[0033] A spindle or handgrip 26 is rotatably mounted, perpendicularly through bars 30 near their ends opposite bolt 39. A support 44 for a member 43 is attached perpendicularly to bars 30 at about their midpoint, for example. Wires 32 and 32a extend through cables 33 and 33a and support 43 and are attached to arm 27 for example on spindle 26. At their other ends, wires 32 and 32a can be attached to upper spindles 34 and 34a respectively, of the transmission means illustrated in figures 3 to 4A.

[0034] A hydraulic resistor 70, disposed at the back of support bars 19 is attached perpendicularly to bolts 37 and 42 at about their midpoint for example. Bolt 42 is slidingly mounted through the slits 38 formed in a portion 30a of the bars 30. Bolt 37 is mounted through the slits 35 formed in the support bars 19 (as illustrated). Bolts 37 and 42 are provided with wing nuts 36 and 41 respectively, enabling user to releasably secure hydraulic resistor 70 between bars 30 and support bars 19, after adjustment for example.

[0035] The hydraulic resistor 70 compels spindle 26 towards horizontal support 10. If resistance is preferred to enhance the exercises, the user releases wing nuts 40, so that relative rotation between support bars 19 and bars 30 can occur, resisted by the hydraulic resistor. Slits 35 and 38 allow the user to adjust level of resistance as desired, by sliding the bolts 37 and/or 42 to different positions along the slits.

[0036] If preferred, springs may be used instead of hydraulic resistors. In other embodiments, the bars 30 may be arranged to slide in parallel along the support bars 19 instead of being mounted for angular rotation.

[0037] Figures 3, 4, 4A and 4B show a first embodiment of the locking means. In Figures 4 and 4A, some parts are shown in cross section e.g. 15, 16, 37, 39, 42, 44 and the handgrip 26. The latter can be rotated either forward or backward as desired. As shown, handgrip 26 is rotated forward, and a wire 32 (running through a flexible hollow cable 33) causes levers 20 to converge as illustrated in Figure 4A, causing the circular parts to engage horizontal support 10. The other wire 32a slackens (wire 32a is not visible in Figure 4 as it is behind wire 32).

[0038] As levers 20 are journalled on spindles 16 towards the edge of mounting rings 18, this produces a locking effect, the more the user pulls down the more one side becomes locked because of the increasing radius between 16 and the edge of the semicircle. This edge may be provided with a contact pad for enhanced friction braking and/or resilience. Fig. 4B is a blown up view of how the spindles 34, the wires and the flexible hollow cables are arranged .To push the levers back springs/hydraulic resistors may be provided to push the levers and mounted between spindles 34 for example.

[0039] In the embodiment shown in Figures 5, 6, 7 and 7A, there are two hydraulic resistors 70 (omitted from Figure 5) on each hands support means, one on each side. Slits 35 (not visible in Figure 6) are provided in support bars 19 and supports 62 extending perpendicularly therethrough provide support for hydraulic resistors 70.

[0040] Figure 5 shows components 52 which are provided to engage the horizontal support 10. Each component 52 is formed as a bar with a wedge shape towards one end, and is mounted between supports 48 to slide towards horizontal support 10. Components 52 are disposed at about the midpoint between mounting rings 18, with one on both side of horizontal support 10. Contact pads can be attached to the components 52, if preferred.

[0041] Supports 48 are attached, perpendicularly, to extensions in support bars 19. The supports 48 are disposed parallel to horizontal support 10.

[0042] At their ends opposite the wedge ends, the components 52 are pivotably mounted to arms 53 via spindles 51. At their other end, arms 53 are pivotably mounted to link arms 25, via spindles 24. Also mounted to link arms 25, via spindles 24, are the arms 56 at one end. At their other end, arms 56 are pivotably mounted to spindles 49. The spindles 49 are attached perpendicularly, to extensions in support bars 19.

[0043] The arms 53 and arms 56 are disposed at an angle to each other so that in operation when spindle 26 is rotated, either forward or backward as desired by use, as arm 31 rotates (either via wire 32 or 32a respectively), link arms 25 pull the spindles 24 towards each other, thus producing an increase in the angle between arms 53 and arms 56, causing the components 52 to slide towards horizontal support 10 and wheel spindles 15. This is illustrated in Figure 7A, in which the user has turned spindle 26 forward for example, causing the components 52 to wedge between horizontal support 10 and wheel spindles 15. Generally, one component 52 self locks, depending on the direction of travel, thus allowing the support bars 19 to provide firm support at any point about horizontal support 10 as desired by the user while exercising.

[0044] The advantage of this arrangement is that when the user rotates handgrip 26 back, as 31 rotates, link arms 25 push arms 53 and 56 to their original (neutral) position.

[0045] A further embodiment of the locking means is shown in Figures 8, 8A and 8B.
Figure 8A is a partial front view. In Figure 8A the wheels 13 have no grooves and there are no rails 14 as a toothed component 69 can serve as guide rails, being mounted between the wheels 13. Figure 8 and Figure 8B are side view with one lengthways support removed to show details.

[0046] In these embodiments the lengthways support bars 19 are shaped to include slits 35 (shown on the left) for a support 62 which provide support for hydraulic resistor 70, one such resistor being provided on each support bar 19.

[0047] Horizontal support 10 has circular toothed components 69 attached to its parts where a locking means 68, in the form of a bar, engages. The bar 68 is shaped to engage the toothed component 69 and is slidingly mounted between supports 48. The operation is a simplified version of the embodiment just described. When the user rotates circular component 58 via handgrip 26, backward in this example, the wire 32a causes the spindles 24 to converge (wire 32 slackens), thus arms 53 and 56 push the bar 68 towards toothed component 69 (attached to horizontal support 10) producing the locking effect.

[0048] Figure 9 is a perspective view of the leg support means shown in Figure 1. The discontinuities in the lines near the top indicate that the support 17 can be as long as required. Additional bars 82 are mounted to slide in parallel along support bars 17, supported by the rods 76 and 77. A rod 76 is attached perpendicularly through bars 82 at about their midpoint, for example. A rod 77 is attached perpendicularly through bars 82 near their ends nearer horizontal support 10. Support bars 17 are formed with slits 79 towards their ends opposite horizontal support 10 and slits 73 at about their midpoint for example. Both rods 76 and 77 are extend through slits 79 and are slidable with respect to support bars 17.

[0049] A support 71 is attached perpendicularly to support bars 17 for example, towards their ends nearer horizontal support 10. A bolt 75 is attached perpendicularly to support 71 at about its midpoint for example. At its other end bolt 75 is mounted, perpendicularly, through a rod 72. A wing nut 74 secures rod 72 to bolt 75. A spring 78 is attached (e.g. hooked) at one end to rod 72 and at its other end to rod 77. Two springs may be used as shown, for example one on each side of support bars 17. And if preferred, hydraulic resistors may be provided instead of springs.

[0050] The springs (or hydraulic resistors) compel the foot retention means towards horizontal support 10. Wing nut 74 allows user to adjust the tension of the springs, for example by turning the wing nut, rod 72 moves towards horizontal support 10 for desired cushioning effect.

[0051] For example, the rod 76 may be provided with threads towards its ends and wing nuts to releasably secure the bars 82 to support bars 17. A foot spindle 81 is mounted, perpendicularly, through bars 82 towards their ends and is formed with at least one hole 80 towards each of its end for the a spindle 91 of the foot retention means. More than one hole is provided so that user can adjust the distance between his or her feet. The foot spindle 81 could alternatively be mounted directly through support bars 17.

[0052] In an alternative embodiment, shown in Figure 10, foot spindle 81 is mounted to allow rotation thereof about an axis perpendicular to the lengthways support. Two hydraulic resistors 70 are used on each support bar 17. The hydraulic resistors are supported by rods 61 and 62 mounted perpendicularly to bar 17 through slits 64 and 60 respectively. Adjustment means are provided, similar to that provided by bolt 75 of Figure 9. By turning a threaded rod 63 clockwise for example, a support 62 moves downwards causing the foot end to rise, providing adjustment for users of deferent height for example. Rod 63 is rotatably mounted through a fixed support 66 and has threads towards support 62. Rod 63a is mounted through a spindle 67 on additional bar 82, its threaded part extending through a further spindle 61, allowing adjustments of resistance.

[0053] The embodiment of Figure 10 provides a cushioning effect, or, in the case of stronger springs/hydraulic resistors, propels the user upward and forward. The intention is the same, to compel the ends of the legs support means towards horizontal support 10.

[0054] Figures 11 and 11A show one preferred embodiment of the foot retention means. This comprises a footplate 93 and ankle retention bars 84 and 84a. Bar 84 is attached perpendicularly through arm 88 at one end. At its other end, an arm 88 is mounted to the side of the footplate 93 via spindle 92 to rotate towards the user's ankle, to allow adjustments according to ankle size for example. Bar 84a is attached perpendicularly through arm 88a at one end. At its other end, a rear arm 88a is mounted to the side of the footplate via spindle 89 to rotate towards the user's ankle, thus allowing adjustments according to user's ankle size for example.

[0055] A spindle 89 is provided with threads (not illustrated) and wing nut 90, allowing the user to releasably secure rear arm 88a to the foot plate, after adjustment of both ankle retention bars towards his or her foot for example. Both bars 84 and 84a are releasably secured by an arm 85. Arm 85 is rotatably mounted at one end to ankle retention bar 84. Towards its other end, arm 85 is formed with semicircular notches 87 (three illustrated) to allow adjustments by the user according to his or her foot size.

[0056] At one end a spring 86 is attached to arm 85 towards its end opposite bar 84. At its other end, the spring is attached to a support 95, attached to the foot plate. The spring pulls arm 85 towards the foot plate (i.e. towards semicircular notch 87), thus releasably securing the user's ankle between bars 84 and 84a. To release his or her foot, the user lifts arm 85 away from the bar 84a.

[0057] The foot plate 93 is mounted to the spindle 81 shown in Figure 1 via its spindle 91. The spindle 91 is attached perpendicularly underneath the foot plate, at about its centre for example, and is mounted, perpendicularly, through the hole 80 of spindle 81. A collar 94 supports the foot plate above the spindle 81 and thus allows rotation of the foot plate in the plane that it occupies. Spindle 81 allows rotation about a horizontal axis. Means are provided to secure the foot plate to spindle 81. For example, a retaining pin through spindle 91 (not illustrated).

[0058] Figure 12 is a plan view of an alternative horizontal support 10, rotatably mounted to a mounting support 108. Mounting support 108 is attached perpendicularly to a mounting plate 115, attached at the apex of vertical supports 11 (Figure 12A, side view). Upright supports 109 and 109a are attached perpendicularly to mounting plate 115 on each side of horizontal support 10, with inner upright supports 109a nearer horizontal support 10 (as illustrated).

[0059] Bars 110 are mounted perpendicularly through upright supports 109 and 109a to slide towards horizontal support 10. At about their centre, friction plates 112 are attached perpendicularly to bars 110 at their ends towards horizontal support 10. Springs 111 are mounted to the bars 110 (e.g. around the bars) between upright support 109a and friction plates 112. The springs are compressed between supports 109a and plates 112, thus friction plates 112 are pushed against horizontal support 10, via friction bars 114.

[0060] The friction bars 114 are generally semicircular in cross section and are attached by their diameter to horizontal support 10, in parallel, towards their ends (only one end illustrated). Preferably, the friction bars are provided in an even number and arranged equidistant to each other so that the friction plates press against two friction bars on each side of horizontal support 10 (as illustrated, Fig.12A).

[0061] The springs provided are of sufficient strength to prevent rotation of horizontal support 10 enabling the user to operate the transmission means and lock the support bars 19 for support in order to exercise. But if he or she inadvertently operates the transmission means while swinging at speed for example, the forces of the springs are overcome allowing horizontal support 10 to rotate between the friction plates 112, thus avoiding a jolting, sudden halt of support bars 19 and concomitant strain and/or injuries to the user's wrist for example.

[0062] If preferred, hydraulic resistors may be used instead of springs 111. The springs or hydraulic resistors can be made adjustable, for users with different body weights for example. In this regard, support 109a may be slidingly mounted, and means provided for the user to releasably secure support 109a to mounting plate 115 after adjustments.

[0063] The preferred material of construction is metal (e.g. steel), or any material with sufficient mechanical strength. Though for the user's comfort, ankle retention bars 84, 84a, shown in Figure 11A, can be covered with pads 83 of foamed plastics material for example, or any material with suitable softness.

Claims

1. A gymnastic device comprising: substantially horizontal support means (10), raised from the ground by generally vertical support means (11); extendible lengthways hands support means (19, 30) being mounted at, or near, one end of the hands support means (19) perpendicularly to the horizontal support means (10) in a manner allowing angular rotation about the horizontal support means, the said lengthways hands support means (19, 30) being provided with resistive means (70) arranged in a manner allowing reciprocal motion of the user in an upward forward direction, the said hands support means (19, 30) being further provided with locking means (20; 52; 68) adapted to engage the horizontal support means (10) thereby providing a fixed support at a desired position about the horizontal support means; extendible lengthways legs support means (17, 82) being mounted at, or near, one end of the legs support means (17) perpendicularly to the horizontal support means (10) in a manner allowing rotation about the horizontal support means (10) and being provided at, or near, the opposite end with foot retention means (84 to 93), the said legs support means being further provided with resistive means (78) arranged in a manner allowing reciprocal motion of the user in an upward forward direction.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the extendible lengthways support means (17, 82; 19, 30) consists of a trapeze with moveable hinged/sliding extensions.

3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the resistive means (70; 78) consist of springs/hydraulic resistors arranged to compel the ends of the extendible lengthways support means (17, 82; 19, 30) towards the horizontal support means.

4. A device according to claims 2 and 3, wherein the extensions (82, 30) are hinged and the springs/hydraulic resistors are arranged to impede pivotal motion of the respective extension (82, 30) with respect to a respective main part of the lengthways support means (17, 19).

5. A device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein means (35, 41; 74, 75) are provided for the user to adjust the level of resistance provided by the springs/hydraulic resistors.

6. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the lengthways extendible support means (17, 82; 19, 30) is mounted for angular rotation by means of mounting rings (18) mounted to the horizontal support means via wheels (12) having their axes parallel to the horizontal support means.

7. A device according to claim 6, wherein the wheels (12) are guided by guide rails (14), the rails being attached to the circumference of the horizontal support means (10).

8. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the horizontal support means (10) is provided with means (69) attached to a part thereof where the locking means (20, 52, 68) engage to ensure a firm grip in the presence of liquid.

9. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein each locking means consists of a lever (20) with a semicircular part attached toward one end, the lever being rotatably mounted to the lengthways support means (19) with the semicircular part adjacent to the horizontal support means (10).

10. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the locking means consists of a bar (52) with a wedge shape towards one end, the bar being mounted to the lengthways hand support means (19) in a manner allowing the bar (52) to slide towards the horizontal support means (10).

11. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the locking means consists of a bar (68) arranged to engage and disengage a toothed component (69) on the horizontal support means (10).

12. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein each locking means (20, 52, 68) is operated by a wire passing through a flexible hollow cable, the wire being attached at, or near, one end to a support attached to a spindle (26), the spindle being rotatably mounted to the lengthways support means (19, 30) toward their ends opposite the horizontal support means (10) and being rotatable by the user to operate the locking means.

13. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the foot retention means consist of a foot plate (93) and ankle retention means (84, 84a), the ankle retention means being mounted to arms (88, 88a) rotatably mounted to the side of the foot plate in a manner allowing adjustments towards the user's ankle.

14. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein each foot retention means (84 to 93) is mounted to the-lengthways leg support means (17, 82) in a manner allowing rotation about an axis substantially coinciding with the eventual position of the user's respective leg and allowing rotation about an axis substantially parallel to the horizontal support means (10).

15. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the horizontal support means (10) is rotatable relative to the vertical support means (11).

16. A device according to claim 15, comprising means (109 to 114) for resisting rotation of the horizontal support means (10).

Drawing