GB2148726A - Exercise apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The apparatus has a base 1, a bearer structure, comprising uprights 2 and braces 5, upstanding on the base, and a load member 10 carried by length adjustable radius arms 8 pivoted on the bearer structure, said member comprising padding 12 and extensions 10a for attachment of additional weights 11. Advantageously the bearer structure is pivoted to the base, for folding down, and connection of the radius arms on the uprights is adjustable in height. Height adjustable hand-grips 13 may be provided. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Excercise apparatus This invention relates to an apparatus for use in exercising the body, its object being to provide a relatively simple, lightweight and portable structure which is readily adapted to the muscular development of different parts of the body.

According to the present invention an exercise apparatus comprises a support including a base to rest on the ground and a bearer structure upstanding on the base, and a load member pivoted by radius arm means on the upstanding bearer structure for relative movement arcuately about a substantially horizontal pivot axis.

The bearer structure may be rigidly mounted on the base, but in a preferred construction the bearer structure is pivotably mounted on the base and means are provided to lock the bearer structure releasably in the upstanding position. For example, the bearer structure may be connected to the base by a two-pin arrangement, one pin acting as a pivot and the other pin acting as a locking means. The pins may be bolts fitted with nuts.

The load member preferably extends substantially parallel to its axis of pivoting with respect to the bearer structure, and in a preferred construction it is connected to the bearer structure by means of two radius arms of equal length each pivoted to a respective upright of the bearer structure. Preferably the height of the axis of pivoting of the radius arm means on the bearer structure is adjustable, e.g. by providing a plurality of points of engagement of the radius arm means on the bearer structure, for example a series of holes in uprights of the bearer structure to receive pivot bolts connecting the radius arms.

The effective radius of the radius arm means is preferably adjustable, e.g. by providing a series of holes along two radius arms and inserting a pivot in a selected hole of each arm to connect it to the bearer structure.

The load member is advantageously padded, for more comfortable contacting with parts of the body.

In a preferred arrangement, the load member includes an elongated element, such as a bar, having a covering of padding material along at least part of its length, e.g. a tubular portion of a resiliently compressible material such as foam rubber orfoamed plastics.

The load member preferably has a portion extending beyond the radius arm means at each of its ends, for example the end portions of the elongated bar element, for the attachment of extra loading such as the conventional weight discs.

In order to permit the user to steady the apparatus when in use, and to extend the ways in which it can be used, the bearer structure may include means for gripping with the hands. In a preferred arrangement, the bearer structure includes two uprights, and each upright has on it a respective handgrip, and advantageously such handgrips extend away from the bearer structure in the direction opposite to that in which the load member extends.The point of attachment of the gripping means is preferably adjustable in height on the bearer structure, and for this purpose the handgrips may be tightened onto uprights of the bearer structure by wing nuts or the like, or may be located by means of a pin or bolt engaged through openings provided in the upstanding portions of the bearer structure, for example the same openings as are used for adjustment of the height of the axis of pivoting of the load member.

The bearer structure may be provided with points of connection, of the radius arm means, at distinct upper and lower zones, to permit certain exercises to be performed with the axis of pivoting of the load member at an adjustable upper position, and certain other exercises to be performed with the axis of pivoting at an adjustable lower position.

Provision may be made for increasing the loading of the loading member by connecting resiliently extending Idading means between it, or the radius arm means, and the bearer structure or the base.

In a variant of construction, means are provided for extending the bearer structure upwardly to provide rest means for weightlift barbell or the like, e.g. the load member temporarily disconnected from its radius arm means. Such extension means may have a recessed formation, such as a "V" shape or a hook shape, into which the barbell or the like can be safely rested. In a preferred construction, the extending means comprises a pair of extension elements each having a barbell rest at its upper end and each vertically adjustable on a respective upright of the bearer structure. In a convenient arrangement, the uprights of the bearer structure are received slidably in the extension elements, and the two are locked together at a selected degree of extension, e.g. by a transverse pin or bolt.

In a modification, the rest means are securable at an adjustable height on the bearer structure itself, e.g. on respective uprights of the bearer structure, and such rest means may be incorporated with the handgrip means.

In order that the nature of the invention may be readily ascertained, a number of embodiments of the apparatus and the ways in which it can be used for exercising and weight training are hereinafter particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a first embodiment; Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the apparatus; Fig. 3 is a perspective elevation, with the load member pivoted at a first height; Fig. 4 is a perspective elevation, with the load member shown (in broken line) also pivoted at a second height; Fig. 5 is a side elevation of a second embodiment; Fig. 6 is a perspective elevation of the second embodiment; Fig. 7 is a front elevation of the second embodiment; Fig. 8 is a side elevation corresponding to that of Fig. 5, but with the addition of spring means to increase loading;; Fig. 9 is a side elevation to show a manner of use for carrying out bench presses; Fig. 10 is a front elevation to show a manner of use for carrying out squats; Fig. 11 shows various manners of use of the apparatus for exercising muscles of the legs; Fig. 12 shows various manners of use of the apparatus for exercising muscles of the arms; Fig. 13 shows other possible uses, and adjustment and folding of the apparatus; and Fig. 14 shows leg exercises.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 4, the apparatus has a base 1 on which there is mounted a bearer structure having two uprights 2 supported and braced by struts 4 and 5. In Fig. 4the struts 4 are omitted, to permit lowering of the position of load means to be described.

The uprights 2 are provided along their length with holes 6 to receive pivot bolts 7 for respective radius arms 8 which each have a series of holes 9 for adjustment of the radius. At the free end of the radius arms there is mounted a load element rod 10 which extends at each end as at 1 Oa for the mounting of weight discs 11 if desired. Between the radius arms 8, 8 the rod 10 carries a sleeve 12 of resilient padding material.

On the uprights 2 there are also positioned adjustable handgrips 13 which can be locked in any selected height position by bolts 14.

As seen in Fig. 4, and shown in broken line, the pivot bolts 7 can be placed in any selected one of a lower series of holes 6a to achieve a lowered position of the load member.

Referring to Figs. 5 to 7 the structure is generally similar, but the uprights 2a of the bearer structure are connected to the base 1a by means of triangular plates 15 which can receive a first bolt 16 to act as a pivot and a second bolt 17 to act as a means for locking the uprights in the vertical position, thereby permitting the apparatus to be folded with the base parallel to the bearer structure for transportation and storage.

Fig. 8 shows a modification of the apparatus by the addition of a tensile element, such as a coiled spring with internal nylon rope, connected at each side of the apparatus between the rod 10 and the base 1, e.g. to a first hook on the radius arms and a second hook on the triangular plates.

Fig. 9 shows a modification to include vertically adjustable rests 17 consisting of a square tube 18 which can slide within the upper end of each upright 2a and then secured in a desired position by means of a bolt 19, the rest having a V-shaped portion 20 to receive the bar 21 or a barbell. At an intermediate point of the uprights 2a there are mounted other rests 22 for the reception of the barbell in a lower position of use.

Fig. 10 is a front elevation to show the manner of use of the apparatus of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 shows the manner of use of the apparatus for exercising the calf and hip muscles, for a hamstring exercise, for leg push-ups, for thigh strengthening, and for "dips".

Fig. 12 shows the manner of use of the apparatus for three types of arm exercises and for low and high "jumpovers".

Fig. 13 shows the manner of use of the apparatus for a hamstring exercise (with added spring), for an arm exercise with one arm, and for "arm-curls" with two arms. There is also shown the manner of changing the position of the bar, in horizontal position, and the manner of folding the apparatus when not in use.

Fig. 14 shows leg exercises.

Claims (17)

1. An exercise apparatus comprising a base to rest on the ground, a bearer structure upstanding on the base, and a load member carried by radius arm means pivoted on the upstanding bearer structure for movement about a pivot axis which, when the apparatus is in use, is substantially horizontal.

2. An exercise apparatus, as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the bearer structure is mounted on the base by pivot means having a substantially horizontal axis, and wherein locking means are provided to act between the base and the bearer structure to lock the bearer structure releasably in its upstanding condition.

3. An exercise apparatus, as claimed in either of Claims 1 or 2, wherein the load member is elongated in a direction substantially parallel to its axis of pivoting.

4. An exercise apparatus, as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the bearer structure includes two uprights, and the radius arm means comprises two radius arms of equal length each connecting the load member to a respective upright.

5. An exercise apparatus, as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the bearer structure is adapted for pivotal connection of the radius arm means thereto at any selected one of a plurality of height positions.

6. An exercise apparatus, as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the radius arm means are adjustable in length.

7. An exercise apparatus, as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the load member is padded.

8. An exercise apparatus, as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the load member includes portions for the attachment of extra loading.

9. An exercise apparatus, as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bearer structure includes hand-grip means.

10. An exercise apparatus, as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the bearer structure includes two uprights, each upright having on it a respective hand-grip.

11.An exercise apparatus, as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the hand-grips extend from the respective upright of the bearer structure in the direction opposite to that in which the load member is spaced from the bearer structure.

12. An exercise apparatus, as claimed in any one of Claims 9 to 11, wherein the hand-grip means are adjustable in height on the bearer structure.

13. An exercise apparatus, as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, including resiliently extensible loading means connected between the load member or the radius arm means, and the bearer structure or the base.

14. An exercise apparatus, as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising extension means for extending the bearer structure upwardly to serve as a rest for a weightlift barbell or the like.

15. An exercise apparatus, as claimed in Claim 14, wherein the bearer structure includes two uprights, and wherein the extension means comprise two extension elements each having a barbell rest at its upper end and each vertically adjustable and lockable on a respective upright.

16. An exercise apparatus, as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 13, including barbell rest means securable at adjustable height on the bearer structure.

17. An exercise apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to Figs. 1-3, or Fig 4, or Figs. 57, or Fig. 8, or Figs. 9 and 10 of the accompanying drawings.